Air Bud (Franchise)
In 1997 Disney released “Air Bud”. The movie is about a young boy (Josh Framm) who loses his father in an accident and then his family moves to Washington (state). Meanwhile, an abusive and alcoholic dog owner (Norman Snively) is taking Buddy (a golden retriever) to the pound but his kennel falls off the back of the truck and buddy escapes. Josh and Buddy meet up and quickly becomes friends.
Josh finally gains enough courage to try out for the basketball team and makes it onto the team. During his first game Buddy shows up and causes a lot of confusion and mayhem but the crowd loves him. Buddy even scores a basket during his exhibition. During the season Buddy’s former owner notices him and steals Buddy just before the championship game. Josh helps buddy escape but then Norman sues the family for custody of the dog. Luckily, Josh’s family wins the suit and they get to keep the dog.
Dances With Wolves
The 1990 “western epic” film starring Kevin Costner, “Dances With Wolves” is about a Union Lieutenant who is injured during the civil war and instead of having his leg amputated he decides on a “suicide by opposing forces” attempt (by charging on his horse towards confederate troops). His suicide attempt fails but the Union Army wins. He is later awarded a citation for bravery and is given the horse he rode on and his choice of any post he wants. He chooses to head out to the western frontier so he can see it before it is claimed and developed. There he meets up with local Native Americans as well as an unlikely companion – a wolf he named Two Socks since it looks like he is wearing socks on his paws.
True Blood: Sam Merlotte
Sam Merlotte, the owner of Merlotte’s, a diner in the town of Bon Temps, LA. As the series continues though the first season you learn that Sam is hiding a secret and it is later revealed that he is a shape shifter. While his talent is limited to animals he’s been with or seen, his preferred animal of choice is a collie (the actual collie is also seen walking up to Sam in an episode).
Dug and his pack from Up
Normally I do not intend to do animated films but Pixar’s “Up” really hits home with their dogs.
First, we meed Dug, a retriever (voiced by Bob Peterson). What’s unique about Dug is that he has a collar that converts his thoughts to words we (humans) can understand. Dug is a very typical retriever – in love with everyone he meets and wants to be their best friend. of course, Dug is also not the brightest dog you’ve ever met nor the most attractive but what he lacks in intelligence and looks he over-compensates in sweetness and personality. SQUIRREL! Continue reading
The Patriot
In the 2000 historical film, “The Patriot” General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) had two pet dogs, both were Great Danes. Mars (played by Charity) and Jupiter (played by Vanilla). Of course, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) adopts these two dogs and while Cornwallis states that they’ve probably been eaten – the next scene shows that Benjamin is treating them very well – feeding them meat (while the troops were low on food). Later in the film, Benjamin returns the dogs to Cornwallis only to call them back as he exits the gates – much to Cornwallis’ anger.
Great Danes are very large dogs (one of the largest breeds in existence) and were considered a status symbol in England royalty at the time (1700s).
Elizabeth McMullan and Kathleen Pirelli are credited for being the dog trainers on the set.