Not gonna lie, I had a moment of disappointment when Lappi wasn't given a human body after the 10 year timeskip but the actual story proved to be beautiful and amazing nevertheless.
The premise may seem a bit odd at first but it captured all the elements so perfectly. The genuine, pure heart of the "mascot" character, the melancholic mood of the hero's mundane career after the final battle, and their resolve to live happily together despite all the hurdles. All of it done so well.
Also I'm not sure the "Furry" tag is really warranted here...?