{"product_id":"the-last-shepherds-dog-john-sunderland-9781804430941","title":"The Last Shepherd's Dog: and Other Stories from a Rural Spanish Village High and Hidden in the Costa Blanca Mountains","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the author of\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eOn My Way to Jorvik\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ecomes another unforgettable memoir - this time set in a hidden Spanish village where everyday life feels both magical and real.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen John, an English designer, and his American wife Kathy leave behind their busy New York City lives, they discover Tàrbena - a remote farming village hidden in Spain's Costa Blanca mountains. Here, everyday life feels timeless, curious, and often surreal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA neighbor presents a giant potato as a token of friendship. Pixies appear to decorate the streets overnight before fiesta. A shop full of groceries has nothing for sale. And Pascual, the working dog of the last shepherd, becomes the couple's reluctant but loyal companion when they are compelled to adopt him after the shepherd dies. He becomes the key to their integration into Spanish village life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough prose, poetry, and illustrations, John shares stories first written for his lighthearted Facebook posts, \u003cem\u003eTàrbena Times\u003c\/em\u003e - hilarious, moving, and full of wonder. They paint a portrait of village life shaped by ancient traditions, rugged landscapes, and the resilience of its people.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlending travel memoir about moving to rural Spain with a touch of magical realism, \u003cem\u003eThe Last Shepherd's Dog\u003c\/em\u003e is a celebration of Spain's hidden corners - where the Mediterranean sun warms olive and almond terraces, wild boar roam the hills, and history whispers from every ancient stone wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you've ever dreamed of moving abroad, finding beauty in simplicity, or discovering magic in everyday life, this heartwarming memoir will take you there.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Sunderland is also the author of\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eOn My Way to Jorvik\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ea humorous memoir about his unconventional journey from Yorkshire schoolboy to radical museum designer.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John Sunderland\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1804430943\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781804430941\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Shilka Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/06\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 296\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.88lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.67d","brand":"John Sunderland","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48520138948863,"sku":"9781804430941","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_1813d691-afa6-4a7a-973b-59e1f39bcb71.jpg?v=1778740981","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-last-shepherds-dog-john-sunderland-9781804430941","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}