What I learned from watching A Dog's Purpose:
I'm sure everyone has watched the leaked footage from TMZ from A Dog's Purpose. If not, let me recap this for you:
Leaked video showed what seemed to be animal cruelty when trainers for this movie threw in a German Shepherd into running water to create a scene. Later on the dog went under the water from a current for around 4 seconds. This upset many people including the film producers and many groups such as PETA.
Although this footage was released, a statement for the movie about this incident summarized that the dog became frightened by the change of pace for the water which is why the dog did not want to film the scene.
Do not let this incident make or break you from seeing this movie. I recently saw this movie and it was a captivating movie with many life lessons. If you haven't seen this movie and plan to, then beware in case there are spoilers!
"Every dog has a purpose."
This movie began with a new born puppy, scavenging for food with his siblings and then got caught by the dog catchers. From here the dog was put down. Life lesson number one: never take anything for granted.
The next life ended up being Bailey, the golden retriever you see in the commercials. This part of the movie displayed many life long lessons such as always play with your animals or loved ones because you don't know how much time you have with them so always pay attention to everything, even the little details. Focus on family, friends, and obviously your pets. Your pets love you their whole lives and you are their existence. So no matter how annoyed or tired you are from playing, keep on playing. Now, just so I don't spoil the movie too much, I'll keep these details at a minimum. Bailey's life ends and he moves onto the next body.
His next form takes place as a female German Shepherd where there is much controversy. Let me explain my opinion as well as the life lesson for this part of the movie. The officer that was in charge of Bailey's next form was depressed because he had lost his wife, until Bailey got him to open up slowly. They go on call and are trying to find a missing suspect where the dog has to jump into the water. This part could have been taken out of the movie completely, but wasn't which was wrong of the movie crew. But the lesson that goes along this dog persona was to never let someone, no matter the person, feel alone.
The next dog Bailey's spirit went into was a small corgi. To keep this short and simple the life lesson from this part of the movie is to open up and find love. Love can be in hidden everywhere, you just need to open up to those around you. Love everything and allow people to get close to you.
The last form Bailey takes on starts out with his new family basically throwing him away like he was trash. He ends up finding his original owner as Bailey. The lesson to this dog persona is to always know you are worth it and there is always something better out there for you, you just have to keep looking. Things do get better.
Yes this movie is very controversial, but I encourage you to still see this movie instead of boycotting it. This movie has many deep and meaningful connections that many people can relate to because I surely related to the movie and cried half of it. The movie is very sad so don't forget to bring tissues and make sure to be open to the movie instead of closed minded because of things you have heard.
