Based on Louis de la Lamer′s fairy tale, this Japanese animation of Dog of Flanders is directed by Yoshio Kuroda who also made the popular television series of the story in the 1970s. The film begins with the nun Alois′s flashback of her childhood. At the end of the 19th century, a boy named Nello lives with his grandfather in Flanders, Belgium. They eke out a living by delivering milk. One day Nello finds a tired and abandoned dog and takes him in to care for. Nello names the dog Patrashu and they become fast friends. Nello dreams of becoming a painter. He and Alois are friends, but her rich father doesn′t like the fact that Alois spends time with the poor boy. Meanwhile, someone tries to take Patrashu away,claiming to be the owner. Nello′s grandfather borrows money so that Nello can keep the dog. Nello and Patrashu work hard to pay back the debt but the grandfather dies of illness. Then Nello′s life becomes even more difficult...