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By the wonderful Ruth Chan.
P.S. Ruth’s beauty uniform and why you should get a dog.
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Personally, I’m always incredibly surprised when they kill the dog in movies–perhaps because it happens so rarely. Fire? Twister? Flaming lava inching slowly towards their little pawpads as they prance desperately? Somehow the dog is almost always rescued… as opposed to those 20 human extras that they didn’t even bother trying to make us feel concerned for. Though come to think of it, maybe “save the dog” only applies to natural disaster movies.
I just cannot watch any kind of movie with dogs. In the slightest sad face of the dog I’m already in tears, so there are only two type of movies that I can’t stand: horror movies or anyone with a dog in the scenario.
then you are gonna hate john wick
Yeah, I don’t know if it’s an age thing but I don’t even like to watch nature shows anymore.
(Spoiler Alert) When I Was in grade 5 our teacher played WaterShip Down for the class. Watching the beloved rabbit character laying on hi side, and his breath gently stops… all my best efforts to control myself were lost and I started to cry, right there in front of all my classmates! I remember some of them trying to say encouraging things (it was a ver nice group of kids in that class, thank goodness) like, “Don’t worry, it’s just a cartoon”. Butt huge tears streamed down my face and soft sobs heaved from my chest. Nothing I could do a out it. That was 40 years ago. I don’t remember much else about the movie now, except that it was excellent and that I was soooo embarrassed.
Since childhood I have completely broken down at the end of All Dogs Go to Heaven. The other day it was on TV and my husband came in from outside just in time to see his wife who almost never cries reduced to a crumpled, weeping mess on the living room floor–completely unraveled by a cartoon.
For my fellow dog lovers—
you may be like me and start to cry within the first 10 seconds of the Art of Racing in the Rain (book or movie) but I still recommend it 1000%. But proceed with caution. I said goodbye for now to my best golden boy Finn in the fall and while I want to re-read the book or re-watch the movie, I know I won’t be able to handle it anytime soon.
Right!
Ruth! Are you spying on our living room? Nailed it. Movies with animals = movies I’ll never be able to watch. Even ones that kill off fake animals like cartoon dinosaurs. We know my limitations.
I saw Life of Pi a few weeks after my dog passed away. I was SOBBING throughout the entire thing, and had to leave the theatre when Pi said goodbye to Richard Parker. I was a complete wreck because the entire film reminded me of my dog.
Keanu Reeves? In the infamous early John Wick scenes? And she has a dog on her lap and needs to know if the movie dog will die? THIS IS ME.
I read the novel Fifteen Dogs while pregnant on vacation and was SOBBING in our hotel room. My husband was like “why are you reading that? On vacation???” Beware of that book fellow dog lovers.
I could not agree more! As a young girl I really wanted to be a vet. I convinced our local vet to let me work after school when I was only 14, and in the holidays I would work full-time if the vet nurse was on leave. I loved it – I was careful in the way I prepared the surgery for operations, and attentive to the needs of the animals. I was fine with blood and gross-operations, but everytime we had to put a pet down I fainted. Everytime over the three years I worked there. The last time that happened the vet smiled warmly at me and said “hon, this job isn’t for you, your heart can’t come here”. He was right. My son is the same – he’s an animal whisperer if ever there was one. We could never even watch the Lion King – that the father lion died ripped his heart in two and he screamed himself to sleep for months. “why could the dadda die?”. Animals should live forever.
I cried like a baby watching FRANKENWEENIE during a return flight home several years ago. The lead dog dies TWICE (of course, the title should’ve been a tip-off). For those who aren’t in the know, it’s a stop motion Tim Burton movie about an animated bull terrier that really doesn’t look much like a dog at all. But apparently even bearing a remote resemblance to my own dog was enough to completely gut me. Needless to say her and I were equally excited to see each other once I finally got home!
When our daughter was small she and my husband brought a stack of picture books home from the library. One was called Saying Good-Bye to Rosie. She wanted me to read that one because it had an adorable dog on the cover. Needless to say Rosie dies! At the end of the book we were both bawling our eyes out and I was yelling at my husband, “Don’t ever bring a book like that home again!”
I do this but for parents dying. Lost my dad 5 months ago today and somehow I feel like half the movies I’ve tried watching since include parents dying.
Two major TV channels in my country are currently showing series revolving around young mothers who died more or less suddenly and the families they leave behind. I cannot even watch the commericals for these shows (which apparently are supposed to be uplifting and heartwarming?), which of course also pop up on associated channels. I need to mute and change the channel immediately.
I am very sorry for your loss, Clare. Please feel hugged, if you like.
Thank you, Lisa! <3
I saw Summer of Sam in the theater as a teen, and early on there was a dog barking onscreen and I was so concerned about it. I can’t recall, maybe it was hurt/shot offscreen? My friends would not let me live down my audible distress about that dog. I mean, it was a defenseless dog!! Do not do that to me in movies!
I will not read a book with a dog on the cover or watch a movie with a dog in it, no matter what. Old Yeller wounded me years ago and I’ve never gotten over it.
Yup. I watched Marley and Me on a flight home from a bachelorette party weekend, because it was the only thing playing. I sobbed so hard that my friend (the bride) came back to my row to tell me that other people on the flight ‘are concerned.’ I don’t care if it’s a plot spoiler, I need to know in advance that the dog will not only be okay in the end, but that nothing bad happens to them at all.
I have been known to cry when Pokémon faint, and I broke down at WICKED when a lion cub marionette was menaced (and I knew he would be fine!). I broke down again at intermission when my family asked why I looked like I’d just been born.
YES YES, oh my goodness I will be FOREVER SCARRED from John Wick!!!!
same girl, same
And not just dogs. Any character I am drawn to – I mostly need to google all the shows to find out what happens and then I can watch…. What can I say? I don’t like surprises!
This is real– books too. If babies or pets die, I don’t want to watch your movie or read your book. (And seriously, there’s a whole literature genre involving tragically dead babies/children. Why!?!?)
I feel seen! My husband still suggests movies to me with dogs as their main stars, and I always refuse on the off chance that the dog is hurt or killed. I still remember watching an old movie as a kid where a dog’s paw got stuck in a trap and once loose, it pitifully limped along… and even though it was acting, it *destroyed* me. I also steel myself when I read local news about major car accidents and house fires, praying there’s no mention of pets perishing.
This. Is. Me. Many years ago–I’m old–while watching Dances with Wolves (Or, Dances with Kevin Costner’s Western Fantasies) there came a scene that panned across wild dogs drinking from a river. I shot out of that theater so fast. The music was quiet and ominous and I just didn’t wait to find out. I still don’t actually know what happened in that scene, or the end of the movie. Fine with me!
I don’t get it. Please help!
She won’t watch a movie if a dog dies in it. The guy will watch movies even if the dog dies, but it upsets her, so he puts on something light, like a cooking show.
If it helps, I misread it as “does the dodgies” and was confused for some time.
did you know that Canada has a Bake Off show too- it is on you tube…. same but the Canadians are even NICER than the Brits…..When I found it I was soooo happy as I have watched all of the GBBO. Enjoy all of the treats- beautiful tent, amazing bakes, small mistakes and endless kindness
Also Dan Levy as an early season host!!
This is excellent news. GBBO is a primary coping mechanism for me. I don’t have to think, everyone is nice, and there are always random shots of pastoral scenes – easiest way to calm down after a stressful day/week/month. Glad I can now look for the Canadian version!
Ooo, this is a valuable tip! Thank you, Laura K!
We watched the Canadian version while in Montréal last fall and really couldn’t stand it. The comics and the bakes are really contrived and over the top. It was like GBBO on speed and not in a fun way.
I’d like to see the bake off in Australia or Ireland and see if they could keep the magic that Canada actively threw away.
Oh my goodness. I thought I was the only one who did this. My husband is so patient with me as I furiously search online whether animals (or kids) die in movies or series. It’s just too stressful for this old gal to weather.
Even the ever-so-soothing ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ seems to have an injured dog in every episode. This was not part of our contract, Masterpiece Classics!
That show should come with some animal trigger warnings. Poor Tricki Woo.
I always check, does a young son or daughter drown, get kidnapped, go missing? If so, I am moving on!
Yup, can’t deal with that. There are many things I might read/watch after my kid is, I dunno – 30 or so. Ha!
This is me only it’s, “Does the Mom die?” Why do so many Moms die right at the beginning?!?!?! My theory is that they need the young protagonists to have a trauma. Dead mom is high up there. Lazy writing people!
I came to say this! If the mom dies, or is already dead I’m out! It was always strange to me growing up, but after almost dying in birth I CANNOT.
I JUST learned about this site and it’s a godsend! (Even before my canine soulmate, Rosie Blue, left this realm a month ago. Those three years with her were pure magic, she changed our heart and soul for hubby & me. We’re her parents always.) and I second that emotion,… if all else fails… GBBO for the win! It’s a balm to the soul; I put it in when I’m sick too! You can drop in and out of consciousness and it’s ok, the music and accents and commentary are so gentle and soothing. It’s full of grace, creativity, encouragement, and proof that each day has new possibilities. (Highly recommend “Baking It”; hubby & I devoured that show. Maya Rudolph & Andy Samberg KILLED it with commentary.)
Rosie Blue is the PERFECT dog name. That made me smile this morning!
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