Dog, a 2022 film starring and co-directed by Channing Tatum, transcends its initial billing as a road comedy to deliver a surprisingly affecting and tear-jerking narrative. Tatum’s personal experiences deeply influenced the development of this movie, which delves into the complexities of PTSD and the profound connection that can form between a dog and its owner. While Tatum’s career has seen him evolve from romantic lead to comedy star and dramatic actor, his hiatus from prolific work between 2018 and 2021 made his 2022 return, particularly in a directorial capacity, a welcome one. Dog explores the healing power of animal companionship.
The film centers on Jackson Briggs, a former U.S. Army Ranger grappling with PTSD. His assignment is to escort his deceased friend’s military dog, Lulu, from Washington to Arizona for the funeral. Initially, Jackson finds Lulu, an untrained and aggressive animal, to be a frustrating burden. However, as their journey progresses, a deep bond begins to form, helping Jackson confront his own past traumas.
Lulu’s Role in Jackson’s Healing Journey
The road trip across the western United States ultimately leads to a fragile truce between Jackson and Lulu. While they may not become best friends, they undeniably come to rely on each other. During the funeral of Jackson’s friend, he stays close to Lulu, offering comfort as she reacts to the 21-gun salute. Later, when faced with the prospect of Lulu being euthanized, Jackson attempts to encourage her to run away. Instead, Lulu shows her loyalty by refusing to leave his side.
They spend their final night together in a motel, where Jackson experiences a PTSD-induced panic attack that results in a seizure. Lulu’s presence and comfort during this vulnerable moment are a turning point. The following morning, Jackson reluctantly drops Lulu off at the kennel for euthanasia. However, upon witnessing her distress, he makes a U-turn, bringing her home with him. Months later, Jackson pens a heartfelt letter to Lulu, revealing that he has adopted her and expressing his gratitude for her saving his life.
Through their shared advers experiences on the road, Jackson and Lulu discover a striking similarity in their pasts. Jackson, initially distant and harboring a dislike for dogs, particularly Lulu due to her behavior, begins to see himself in her. Both have endured trauma as soldiers and experienced profound loss. Their reluctance to let anyone else into their lives eventually gives way to mutual reliance and healing. Jackson’s decision to return for Lulu symbolizes his recognition of his need for companionship and support.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Dog
Channing Tatum’s inspiration for Dog stemmed from a personal road trip he embarked on in 2018 with his own beloved dog, also named Lulu. This pit bull Catahoula mix was diagnosed with cancer, and the road trip was Tatum’s way of spending precious final moments with her. During this journey, Tatum faced the inevitable reality of his dog’s passing, realizing that he could only accept the situation and be grateful for the time they had shared. He reflected, “You just have to accept it and be thankful for the time that you did get and know that they’re not supposed to be here forever. I’m supposed to go on and she has to go someplace else.”
This deeply personal experience inspired Tatum to create Dog, using the film as a vehicle for his own emotional processing. From the outset, Tatum intended for Lulu to survive in the movie, steering clear of the common trope of a gut-wrenching dog death ending often found in similar films. Instead, he aimed to explore the genesis of a human-animal bond, stating, “It was the end of a relationship that inspired us, but we wanted to make sure that we told a story about the beginning of a relationship and the parts of our friendships with our dogs that really left these lasting impressions of fun and adventure in our lives.” The film is dedicated to the real Lulu, who passed away in late 2018. Tatum, along with his ex-wife Jenna Dewan, honored her memory with touching tributes on social media. Tatum has since adopted two more Dutch Shepherds, Rooklin and Cutie, breeds similar to the Belgian Malinois, which Lulu is portrayed as in the film. Discover more heartwarming movies about dogs.
Directorial Challenges and Triumphs
While Tatum found the filming of Dog to be a rewarding experience, he also gained firsthand insight into the complexities of working with live animals. He discussed the challenges of directing the three dogs who played Lulu, noting, “Anytime we needed to ask the dog to do one thing, we could do that — it was a pretty consistent, we could do that right. Anytime you start adding [directions] is when it [starts getting more complicated]. When we wanted her to pick something up and then walk to her mark, well that’s an additional step — that’s two things we’re asking her to do now.” Tatum acknowledged that the impressive on-screen performance was a testament to the dogs’ capabilities and the crew’s efforts to create a supportive environment for them.
Co-director Reid Carolin echoed Tatum’s sentiments, expressing immense respect for anyone who undertakes a dog movie, citing the inherent difficulties. He mentioned classic dog films like Turner & Hooch and White God as inspirations, praising their success in capturing a dog’s personality and the dynamic between human and animal characters. Carolin also humorously described one of the canine actors as a “prima donna” on set, requiring constant attention. Despite these challenges, Tatum believed that any on-set issues were more likely due to their inexperience as directors rather than the dogs themselves, stating, “I don’t think a dog can really mess up a take, personally. Because a dog is just being purely a dog, so it can’t physically mess up the take. We are asking it to be a dog, that’s about it.” The film’s positive reception on Rotten Tomatoes (77%) indicates that any directorial hurdles did not detract from the powerful story being told.
The Emotional Resonance for Dog Lovers
As a story centered on the bond between a dog and its owner, Dog was bound to resonate deeply with audiences, particularly dog lovers. Viewers shared their emotional responses on platforms like Reddit, with many expressing how the film brought them to tears. One user, u/awaywethrowLA, shared how the movie evoked memories of their own dog’s comforting presence during difficult times. Another user, u/Successful_Set4709, recounted crying intensely at the ending, particularly at the line, “Thank you for saving my life.”
For Tatum, the project proved to be a cathartic experience. He explained to Forbes, “It gave me a lot of perspective on what she meant to me, what her purpose was in this life that we had together.”
Dog may have been an understated release, but its exploration of healing, trauma, and the unique connection between humans and animals makes it a film well worth revisiting. Be warned, however: you might find yourself compelled to adopt a furry friend after watching. Creating a personalized dog story book can be a wonderful way to capture the unique bond you share with your own canine companion.
