Dog of Flanders

A Dog of Flanders (フランダースの犬, Furandāsu no Inu) is an 1872 novel by English author Marie Louise de la Ramée (also known by her pseudonym, " Ouida"). IT has been an extremely popular children's classic for decades where it has been adapted into several Japanese films and anime.
 * A 1975 Japanese TV series was produced by Nippon Animation as part of the World Masterpiece Theater anthology series for 52 episodes.
 * A second TV anime series titled My Patrasche (ぼくのパトラッシュ, Boku no Patrasche) was produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha in 1992 for 26 episodes.
 * A remade version of the TV series by Nippon Animation was produced by Shochiku and premiered on March 15, 1997.
 * A slapstick-parody version titled Super Wind-Up Robot Patrasche (超ゼンマイロボ パトラッシュ) was produced by Nippon Animation for 13 episodes in 2013-2014.

The series represents the bond between a boy and his ever so faithful dog living in 19th century north Holland. The emotional story shows the boy's struggles in life as his grandfather dies and leaves him with his dog. It shows how the hopes of becoming a great classical painter have been seemingly crushed by his grandfather's passing and the way he takes after that tragedy.

Plot
Nello Tarth is a poor but happy orphan who lives with his grandfather Jehan in a little village nearby Antwerp. Nello has a talent for drawing pictures and has been fascinated by it since he saw one of Rubens (a famous artist) pictures as a little boy. Helping Jehan with the daily milk delivery to Antwerp, Nello one day discovers Patrash, a working dog who has been mistreated and abandoned by his former owner. He treats the exhausted animal and after a little while a close and dependable friendship develops. Alois Cojez, the daughter of the richest and hence most influential man in Blacken Village, is Nellos best friend. When Nello decides to become an artist he has to experience firsthand the ignorance and cruelty of the villagers. Especially Alois father thinks of him as a slacker who cannot earn his living by drawing pictures. Nontheless Nello perseveres and never gives up to achieve his dream and to win their appreciation and respect while strenuously struggling with his poverty.