Not familiar with todepond; the main inspiration is a game called Sobroken by Corey Martin (can be found on Itch.io)
Then where did the frogs come from?
https://youtu.be/Z24NKn6rQRY?si=54kIUv9E-n2kXT-o
I picked them because they made the game's name sound nicer; I considered dogs at first but "Nabogod" didn't sound good to me
I knew I recognised that mechanic! I was wondering if you'd independently reinvented it or were experimenting with it from familiarity. Excellent take on it, though.