Synopsis

Few events in human history were as important as the domestication of the wolf. Nasha The First Dog tells how this might have happened. In this tale, a young girl finds an abandoned wolf pup. She rescues the young wolf and brings it to her clan. The leader says she must return the wolf to the wild because there is not enough food for the people in the clan, much less an animal that has traditionally been the enemy of humans.

Maddia refuses to give up the wolf pup, and her decision is supported by the priestess of the clan. Lartha, the priestess, has had a vision and believes that “The wolf will be a friend of humans for as long as there are days.” Nasha, as Maddia names the wolf pup, has an almost mystical effect on the clan, and she seems to prompt them to discover things that will one day form the foundation of civilization.

Written by first-time novelist Dr. Michael Milone, best known for his work as a research psychologist, the story is based on our current understanding of ancient humans. In addition to being entertaining, the story helps readers understand that our ancestors 15,000 years ago were not violent brutes, as they are often depicted. Humans were intelligent, persevering, and caring people who were like us in many ways. “The human journey is the greatest adventure ever,” remarks Dr. Milone, “and along the way, our lives were enriched enormously by our interdependence with dogs.”

Although this disclosure may be a spoiler, Dr. Milone insists that readers should be aware that the “docga,” as the wolves are called by the clan, survive through the final chapter and are in the sequel, which will be available in 2010. “Readers can be assured that the wolves are unharmed, despite their willingness to protect their humans at any cost.”