Best Movies Featuring Dogs
We’ve all seen (or at least heard of) the popular dog-centric movies 101 Dalmatians, Old Yeller, and Homeward Bound, but it should come as no surprise that these are nowhere near the only films out there with a heavy focus on our canine companions. Check out our list of the best 15 movies that wouldn’t be the same without their all-star dog casts. 1) The Adventures of Milo and Otis This movie tells the tale of a little orange kitten and his pug friend, on an adventure. It’s a cute-overload film that’s perfect for the whole family. 2) Lassie Lassie is a classic—the dog that everyone remembers from their childhood. This movie is the one to watch if you’re looking for the perfect tale of companionship with a pet. 3) Lady and the Tramp This Disney hit is one of the studio’s most famous, and features characters that are both kept dogs and strays, displaying the importance of all dogs in our lives. 4) Cujo Shifting gears a bit, this Stephen King thriller details the downward spiral of a sick dog who wants to try and protect his family, but goes too far. 5) Best In Show This hilarious mockumentary details the crazy world that is professional dog shows. Though this one is fictional, it certainly watches like a rag-tag documentary that showcases the truly bizarre aspects of show dog life. 6) All Dogs Go to Heaven An oldie but a goodie, this film shows us that dogs really are man’s best friend, and why we must treasure them so much. 7) Beethoven In this laugh-a-minute series (with a few sequels), you’ll quickly learn who the head honcho of this family is—and it’s not Dad! (Hint: It’s Beethoven, the family’s beloved—and huge—Saint Bernard). 8) Eight Below This movie shows how two Antarctic explorers leave their team of sled dogs behind in order to fend for their own survival in brutal cold, but fear not—the film is a survival story for the dogs. 9) Turner & Hooch Starring the inimitable Tom Hanks and described as “the best French Mastiff movie ever,” Turner & Hooch is about a detective who adopts a dead man’s dog to help solve the dead man’s murder. 10) Up An adorable Pixar hit, Up features 78-year-old Carl Fredericksen who is taking a trip to Paradise Falls as a tribute to his late wife, getting there by tying hundreds of balloons to his home. What about the dog, you say? Oh, he’s there all right, and he steals the scenes he’s in. You can call him Dug. 11) A Dog’s Life If you’re into silent films, you may have already seen this Charlie Chaplin classic, but if not, you’ll love this tale of how the Little Tramp adopts a dog—or does the dog adopt Chaplin’s character? Their struggle to survive in the inner city is a heartstring tugger, and since it’s Chaplin, it’s funny, too. 12) It’s a Dog’s Life Not to be confused with our #11 pick, this 1955 gem follows the life of a bull terrier who lives a life starting out in the streets of the Bowery all the way up to living in the lap of luxury. 13) The Wizard of Oz No list of movies with famous dog characters would be complete without The Wizard of Oz, which features the cute little cairn terrier troublemaker, Toto. If you somehow haven’t seen this movie, now’s the perfect time to catch up. 14) The Artist The little pooch in this film stole the show at the Oscars, and Uggie—who played “Jack” the Jack Russell Terrier in the movie—won the Palm Dog Award for best performance by a canine at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. 15) Air Bud Finally, the sleeper hit—Air Bud. Sometimes described as “the saddest movie ever” (just kidding!) is based on a real-life dog, Buddy, and tells the tale of a golden retriever who has the uncanny ability to play basketball.
Fall Activities for Dogs and Their Owners in Chicago
Summertime can be fun for many dogs—those who love and have access to the dog beach or a backyard kiddie pool to cool off in, for instance—but for plenty of other dogs and their owners, summertime can feel like a restless and oppressive few months of taking very short walks to avoid overheating. For those dogs, autumn is their season—it’s still nice enough to head outdoors for a longer-than-normal trip to the dog park or meandering stroll, but it’s cool enough that they don’t get tired or too hot too soon. This year, be sure to take advantage of the beautiful weather by checking out these fun fall activities for you and your dog. Outdoor Farmer’s Markets Taking your pup for a stroll around your neighborhood farmer’s markets is a fun way to get outdoors with your pet without having to plan anything too far in advance or make too many arrangements. Many farmer’s markets even have vendors that offer dog-friendly products, such as artisanal dog treats. The Seadog’s Boat Rides Downtown, you can check out one of three dog-friendly boat adventures on the Seadog. Dogs ride free with fare-paying adults, but it’s best to make sure your pooch has a lifejacket on, just in case. Choose from these three options for your pet: Seadog Extreme: Like a rollercoaster on water, this trip involves high- speed twists and turns along the lakefront, and should probably be reserved for lap dogs, so that you can hold onto them as the boat zooms around the water. 30-Minute Lakefront Speedboat Tour: This trip offers a view of Chicago’s skyline and a brief narration with music. Perfect for all types of dogs, this trip is fun for owners and dogs alike. 75-Minute River and Lake Architectural Tour: By far the most leisurely of the rides offered, this one is the best choice for bigger dogs who can relax for a while, and offers owners a fully narrated tour of the Chicago River and Lakefront architecture. Spooky Pooch Parade at the Botanic Garden On Saturday, October 31st, head to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the Spooky Pooch Parade. In addition to a parade of costumed canines, there will also be costume contest and an awards ceremony for categories including Best Costume Overall, Best Dog/Owner Costume, Best Puppy and Best Senior Dog Costume, and more. The parade starts at the Krasberg Rose Garden, and dogs must remain on leash at all times. Don’t miss this spooky celebration! Hit the Dog Park When temperatures cool down, the pups can really play—fall is a busier time at local dog parks because pets can run around for a longer time and may need more time to run off all their energy. Check out the top spots like Wiggly Field in Lakeview or Wicker Park Dog Park, or if your dog loves water, stop by Montrose Dog Beach before it gets too cold. Famous Fido Charity Bingo Night This isn’t an activity you can bring your dog to, but rather it’s one that supports homeless dogs. Hosted at Hamburger Mary’s on November 3, this even features a fun night of bingo with drag performer Velicity Metropolis hosting, and drink specials and fundraising benefits help out homeless pets as they wait for their forever homes.
A Crash Course in Cleaning and Grooming Your Dog
If you’re the sort of person who prefers to drop off your dog at the local groomer, this article is not for you. The desire to hand off that dirty task is completely understandable, after all—what’s worse than a muddy dog shaking off water before you’re done rinsing? However, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, get ready to dig in. We’re proud to present a crash course for cleaning and grooming your pup from head to toe. Ears, Face, and Teeth Cleaning your pup’s ears might not be their favorite thing, but it’s something that needs to be done—after all, as humans we clean our own ears regularly, and it’s no different for dogs! To do so, you can use a soft cloth or paper towel, and ear cleaner that you can get from a local pet store or your vet. Be extra careful when you do this, as (like with Q-Tips) pushing too hard can cause ear damage and be painful for your dog. Do this every week or two, and your dog will quickly get used to it. If your dog has a flatter face or rolls of skin (bulldogs, pugs, Shar Peis, and Boston terriers, we’re looking at you), you’re going to need to clean out those rolls lest they become infected. Believe us—you (and your dog) do not want that! Take a damp paper towel or soft cloth and clean between the folds, then follow that with a dry cloth so that no moisture is trapped. As for their teeth, use a soft rubber toothbrush that slips on over your finger, or a soft-bristled brush—both of these are available at pet stores. Use a dog-friendly toothpaste, too. This should be done, ideally, every day, but let’s face it: Most dogs don’t love getting their teeth brushed. Aim for once a week, and ramp up your efforts once your dog is used to the process. Body and Coat Be sure to brush your dog at least once a week, preferably more. For excessive shedders, use an undercoat-removing brush like a Furminator to lighten their load a bit, so to speak. For dogs prone to matting, brushing is extremely important. Remember that groomers will charge extra for de-matting services, so it’s essential to keep up with it. Most dogs won’t get too dirty on their own unless they like to roll around in the yard a lot, but it’s important to give them all a good washing every now and then to keep them optimally clean. Use a dog-friendly shampoo, since many human shampoos can be too harsh, and be sure to monitor their skin for any irritation—if they seem to be itchy after their bath, consider a gentler shampoo, for instance. Feet and Nails Finally, you’ve reached your pooch’s tiny feet and toes. Their footpads should be moisturized once in a while, as they can get very dry and rough from walking around outside. This is especially important in colder climates or during winter, when skin can dry out and crack, which is very painful. Trim your dog’s toenails every couple of weeks, using a clipper you can buy at any local pet store. Be careful not to cut the quick, which can cause bleeding. Bbe sure to keep Styptic powder on hand, just in case you do clip it on accident, as this powder stops the bleeding fast. If your dog will not let you clip his or her nails, it’s essential to bring them to a groomer or vet to have it done. Groomers have special harnesses that help immobilize a wiggly dog, and the training required to do a good, safe job. Ignoring their nails is not an option—their claws can grow under and become damaging and painful for the dog. What are your tips and tricks for dog grooming at home? Let us know in the comments!
Our OCTOBER Dog of the Month is
Brandie! Breed: Lovable Mutt (many guesses, including some German short-hair pointer and Australian cattle dog) Age: 9 Where She Lives: Wrigleyville and Saugatuck, Mich. Joys in Life: belly-rubs, long walks, frozen dog treats, car rides Cruisin’ Dog Walker: Nate (and sometimes Philip and Tom) Dog Walking Buddies: Huntley and Cleo are good buddies of hers, but Brandie is very social, she had lots of friends! Brandie is so special and behaves so well. She is such a joy in our lives!