A tiny ad in a local newspaper catches Cédric Sapin-Defour's eye: a litter of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies need homes. A lonely, single, gym teacher & mountain climber in the French Alps, Cédric visits the dogs & immediately falls for a puppy with a blue collar who steps over his siblings to get to him. Named Ubac, French for the north side of the mountain - the rainy, cloudy slope - the puppy upends Cédric's life. They go on hikes together, taking to the hills & exploring, forging a bond that brings joy & a sense of fulfillment & adventure. They brave the world together, hate to be apart, crave the mountains & the natural world; they protect each other. Over the course of 13 years, their pack expands to include Mathilde, Cédric's wife, & more dogs. This book is an intimate meditation on a joyous life lived too fast, the aching pain of separation, & the transformative effect of unconditional love.