In the not-too-distant future, dogs have been genetically engineered to live as long as the people to which they are matched to avoid early heartbreak. Ten-year-old Will finds a natural mongrel puppy in the woods that he names Hunter. The two become fast friends and, even though it is illegal to harbor non-engineered natural dogs, Hunter soon wins over Will's family. The boy and his dog have many adventures in the glorious nature of the Olympic Mountain foothills of the Pacific Northwest, while the family strives to evade the crafty government agents that enforce laws concerning dogs. This book will speak to anyone who has ever loved a dog and explores the imperfect purity of nature as compared to the sterilized perfection created by humans. The story is reminiscent of Old Yeller with hints of The Hunger Games.