Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day, and while I don't think anyone here at PWHQ will be bringing a poochie to the office (much to my dismay), I do think this is a good reason to talk about the thousands of dogs who are no strangers to the nine-to-five: service animals!
So how come guide dogs and therapy animals are so underrepresented in film and TV? I was really into the book Follow My Leader as a kid (this is totally YA week at PopWatch apparently), but the only movie featuring service dogs other than Garden State I could find was Quill, a Japanese film about the cutest freaking puppy in the history of everything.
Anyway, that supernaturally adorable pup becomes a guide dog. (Warning: that clip will make you cry.)
What did I miss, PopWatchers? Can you think of other instances of service dogs in pop culture? Begin the list in the comments section below!
I guess if you didn’t see a sneak preview (or a press screening like me), you wouldn’t know this yet, but “My Sister’s Keeper,” which opens today, has a service dog in it. He belongs to Alec Baldwin’s character, even though Baldwin pretty much appears to be fine the whole time.
Love the fact that there were Japanese subtitles- like that helped me out. Had no clue what was happening and STILL cried. The power of dogs and soaring music!
stupid idea about taking your dog to work
“Justice – is blind” Maggie Lizers guide dog from arrested development. Best part when the dog falls in the trash can.
I loved “Follow My Leader” as a kid. About a year or so ago, I mentioned it to my Mom – much to my surprise, she found a copy of it at Border’s. It’s still in print!
More on TYDTWD here: http://tinyurl.com/nos2af
We have an open dog policy at my office, so luckily every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day. There are 2 here today.
in the mid 90s, kyle chandler was on a show called early edition, in which his friend grace had a guide dog. but that’s the only one i can think of…
I remember reading “Follow My Leader” in grade school as well. I still have the Scholastic book I bought at the school book fair.
Interestingly enough, I am now “living” that book in a way, as my wife is blind and uses a Guide dog (on her second one now), and we are raising a Guide dog pup for Guide Dogs For The Blind, where she got both her Guides.
And yes, she gets to take her Guide to work with her every day.