Well, I don't want to be the "change bad" guy, but here are my feelings about it.
For me, I didnt really care about the dog people from the start (now i do because i started reading at some point), so I just kind of ignored dog days. Went up, got Etheryn, did a bunch of stuff, eventually did Dog Days as I think I realized I needed it to go to the winter castle. When i finally did Dog Days, and Etheryn shyly yet boldly attempted to parley hethia, it felt like such a NATURAL way of showing her journey in gaining confidence! Hethia's refusal to acknowledge her due to prejudice was scathing, but Etheryn dealt with it like a champ. I really connected to her in that moment, and thanks to that interaction, when you later do invade winter city alongside Hethia, and she acknowledges Etheryn as "Princess", that hit me. Etheryn is easily my favorite character since, (helps that I also naturally triggered the winter festivus almost immediately after taking back the city, as well...)
So yeah, I know my experience wasnt everyone's, but it seems sad to me to take away the option to have that experience.
For me, I didnt really care about the dog people from the start (now i do because i started reading at some point), so I just kind of ignored dog days. Went up, got Etheryn, did a bunch of stuff, eventually did Dog Days as I think I realized I needed it to go to the winter castle. When i finally did Dog Days, and Etheryn shyly yet boldly attempted to parley hethia, it felt like such a NATURAL way of showing her journey in gaining confidence! Hethia's refusal to acknowledge her due to prejudice was scathing, but Etheryn dealt with it like a champ. I really connected to her in that moment, and thanks to that interaction, when you later do invade winter city alongside Hethia, and she acknowledges Etheryn as "Princess", that hit me. Etheryn is easily my favorite character since, (helps that I also naturally triggered the winter festivus almost immediately after taking back the city, as well...)
So yeah, I know my experience wasnt everyone's, but it seems sad to me to take away the option to have that experience.