Anya the Dog: Symbol of Healing and Commitment in The Long Game

What Is Anya?

Anya is a medium-sized, long-haired mixed-breed dog with brown, white, and gray fur, floppy ears, and a sweet face. She first appears as a stray abandoned in the cold near the Drover family farm. A neighbor finds her and brings her to Harris’s parents, who foster strays. Ilya meets her during a dinner invitation from Harris in March, and he immediately bonds with her. After learning she has no owner, Ilya decides to adopt her, naming her Anya. She becomes a central part of his daily life and his relationship with Shane.

Where Anya Appears and How Her Role Develops

Anya recurs in three key sequences in the novel, and her meaning deepens with each appearance.

First meeting (March, Chapter 31): At the Drover farm, Ilya is surrounded by multiple dogs but is particularly drawn to the unnamed stray. She is described as “the sweetest face Ilya had ever seen” and stays close to his ankles. Harris subtly suggests Ilya adopt her, and Ilya begins to consider the logistics. This first encounter highlights Ilya’s capacity for care and his readiness to build a domestic life.
Adoption and introduction to Shane (two weeks later, Chapter 31): Ilya reveals Anya to Shane as a surprise. He has already bought dozens of toys, a luxurious dog bed, and taken her to a spa. Shane is initially wary (“he wasn’t great with animals”) but quickly softens. They spend the morning playing; Shane discovers he likes dogs more than he thought. That night, when Anya whimpers outside the bedroom, both men invite her into bed. The moment becomes one of quiet tenderness: they pet her together, and Ilya falls asleep with her head on his arm. Here Anya becomes a vessel for shared intimacy and domesticity, even overriding their sexual plans.
Visit to the Pikes (Chapter 32): Ilya drives Anya to Montreal to see Shane. The dog meets Hayden’s children and plays happily. The scene reinforces that Anya is now a permanent part of their extended family. Later, Ilya and Shane steal a private kiss outside; Anya’s presence has made their relationship feel more settled and future-oriented.
After the outing (Chapter 33): While walking Anya, Ilya notices his neighbors have put up a supportive sign with Funko Pop figures of him and Shane. The moment suggests that even their public relationship is now possible, in part because Ilya’s commitment to Anya mirrors his commitment to a shared life with Shane.

How Anya’s Meaning Changes

Anya begins as a lost, vulnerable creature—a symbol of the need for rescue. Ilya’s decision to adopt her reflects his own emotional recovery. Earlier in the novel, he struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts; caring for a dog gives him purpose and routine. By the midpoint, Anya represents domesticity and commitment. Ilya arranges doggy daycare (a “hotel for dogs”), buys boots for her paws, and worries about her when traveling. These small rituals mirror the maturity required for a long-term partnership. Finally, Anya becomes a conduit for love that bypasses language. The scene where the couple falls asleep petting her instead of having sex is described as “so full of love it was almost suffocating.” The dog does not solve their problems, but she anchors their home life and gives them a shared focus beyond hockey and hiding.

Character and Theme Connections

Character/Theme	How Anya Connects
Shane Hollander	Shane warms to Anya despite initial unease; he helps care for her and sees her as proof of their future as a family.
Ilya Rozanov	Adopting Anya lets Ilya nurture something small and helpless, channeling his emotional energy away from depression. His protective instinct mirrors his protective feelings for Shane.
Hayden Pike and family	Anya’s visit to the Pikes embeds her into the found-family network, deepening Ilya’s ties to Montreal.
Dr. Galina Molchalina	After being outed, Ilya considers booking another therapy appointment—and Anya is part of what he would talk about, showing his ongoing commitment to mental health.
Troy Barrett	Troy’s encouragement to come out indirectly leads Ilya to the Drover farm, where he meets Anya. Both Troy’s openness and Anya’s unconditional affection push Ilya toward honesty.
Secrecy and coming out	Anya is not secret; she is openly Ilya’s dog. Her presence forces Ilya and Shane to plan for a future that includes a third living being—a rehearsal for the larger coming‑out process.
Mental health and depression	Caring for Anya provides routine and joy, countering Ilya’s depressive episodes. The dog’s warm, physical presence offers non‑verbal comfort.
Sacrifice and devotion	Ilya delays sex to comfort Anya, and both men sacrifice spontaneity to ensure her wellbeing—small acts of devotion that mirror their larger sacrifices for each other.
Toxic hockey culture	The reason Anya was abandoned—someone drove her to the country and left her—parallels the cruel, dismissive attitudes that Ilya and Shane fear in the hockey world.
Found family	Anya becomes part of the Drover family’s dog pack, and later part of the Pike household. She helps create a sense of belonging that extends beyond blood or contracts.

Four Study Questions with Answers

How does adopting Anya reflect Ilya’s emotional state in March?
Ilya has been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Choosing to care for a vulnerable dog indicates that he is investing in a future—one where he will need to be present and responsible. The act of naming her (Anya, a Russian name) also reconnects him with his heritage and gives him something to love.
What does the “no‑sex, petting‑the‑dog” night reveal about Ilya and Shane’s relationship?
Both men prioritize Anya’s comfort over immediate physical gratification. Shane says, “Go get her” instead of continuing, and they both fall asleep stroking her. This scene shows that their bond has deepened beyond lust into a quiet, domestic intimacy that can accommodate a new family member.
How does Anya connect to the novel’s theme of secrecy and coming out?
Anya is entirely public—Ilya walks her through his neighborhood, takes her to the dog spa, and brings her to the Pike house. In contrast, his relationship with Shane remains hidden. The dog represents the ordinary, open life Ilya wants to have: one where he doesn’t have to hide any part of himself.
Why does Reid include the detail of the dog’s “little red boots”?
The boots protect Anya’s paws from road salt and cold. They are a small but vivid sign of Ilya’s attentive care. The red color also stands out against the winter setting, suggesting warmth and love in a cold world. Shane teases Ilya about the boots, but the gesture deepens his affection; it shows Ilya’s capacity for gentle, practical love.