Dog Stories

Dog: A Heartwarming Tale of PTSD, Healing, and Canine Companionship

Posted on by Jason Nguyen

Dog, the 2022 film starring and co-directed by Channing Tatum, is far more than the road trip comedy it was marketed as. Through Tatum’s personal experiences and a surprisingly emotional narrative, the movie delves into the complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the profound, healing bond that can form between a human and an animal. Channing Tatum’s career has been a testament to his versatility, and his directorial debut showcases a depth of emotional storytelling that resonates deeply with audiences. The film follows Jackson Briggs, a former U.S. Army Ranger grappling with his own trauma, who is reluctantly tasked with escorting a military dog named Lulu from Washington to Arizona for a funeral. Initially at odds with the aggressive and poorly trained canine, Jackson’s journey with Lulu becomes a redemptive path toward confronting his past and finding solace in an unexpected friendship.

Lulu Becomes Jackson’s Unlikely Anchor

The arduous road trip across the western coast of the United States forges a fragile truce between Jackson and Lulu. Though their relationship is initially fraught with frustration, they develop a mutual reliance. At the funeral of Jackson’s friend, he stays by Lulu’s side, offering comfort as she reacts to the solemn 21-gun salute. Later, Jackson contemplates letting Lulu escape to spare her from euthanasia, but she remains steadfastly by his side, demonstrating a loyalty that mirrors his own buried need for connection.

Their shared experiences on the road reveal a striking similarity between man and dog. Both have endured trauma and loss, and both have erected emotional walls, unwilling to let others in. It is only when forced together that they begin to break down these barriers and heal. The pivotal moment Jackson returns for Lulu symbolizes his acceptance of the need for support, acknowledging that he, like her, needs someone to lean on.

During a night at a motel, Jackson experiences a PTSD-induced panic attack that culminates in a seizure. Lulu’s comforting presence, nudging beside him, calms his distress. The following morning, Jackson drives Lulu to the kennel for her scheduled euthanasia, but witnessing her distress, he makes the life-altering decision to bring her home. Months later, a letter from Jackson to Lulu reveals his adoption of her and expresses gratitude for her saving his life, underscoring the profound impact she had on his healing journey.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Dog

The genesis of Dog stems from a personal road trip Channing Tatum took with his own dog, also named Lulu, a pit bull Catahoula mix. Tatum’s Dog Passed Away In 2018 From Cancer. In 2018, after Lulu’s cancer diagnosis, Tatum embarked on a final journey with her. This trip became a profound realization for Tatum that he could not prevent Lulu’s passing and had to accept the inevitability of her death. He shared, “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 way to process his grief. Crucially, Tatum never intended for Lulu’s character to die in the movie, consciously avoiding the trope of a tragic dog movie ending. Instead, his focus was on portraying the burgeoning relationship and the unique bonds that form between humans and animals. He explained, “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.”

Sadly, the real Lulu passed away in late 2018. Tatum honored her memory with an emotional Instagram post, and his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan, with whom he shared custody, also posted a heartfelt tribute. Dog is dedicated to Lulu, and Tatum has since adopted two more dogs, Rooklin and Cutie, both Dutch Shepherds, similar to the Belgian Malinois breed of Lulu in the film.

Directing Animal Actors: A Director’s Challenge

While Tatum cherished the filming experience, directing live animals presented considerable challenges. He described the complexities of working with the three dogs who portrayed 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.” The impressive onscreen performance is a testament to Tatum’s ability to elicit genuine behavior from the animal actors.

Co-director Reid Carolin echoed the sentiment, expressing immense respect for anyone who makes a dog movie due to the inherent difficulties. He cited films like Turner & Hooch and White God as inspirations for capturing a dog’s personality and the dynamic between human and canine. Carolin also highlighted the distinct personalities of the dog actors, with one exhibiting diva-like behavior, requiring constant attention. Despite these challenges, Tatum believes that dogs cannot truly “mess up a take” as they are simply acting naturally. He suggested that any directorial shortcomings were more likely his own. With a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s evident that any directorial hurdles or dog-related dramas did not detract from the film’s compelling narrative and emotional impact.

A Resonant Experience for Dog Lovers

A story centered on a dog and its owner was bound to stir emotions, and viewers widely expressed their appreciation for Dog and its central message. Many shared their deeply moving reactions on platforms like Reddit. One user, u/awaywethrowLA, described bawling so hard they nearly couldn’t finish the movie, relating Jackson’s need for comfort to their own dog’s supportive presence. Another, u/Successful_Set4709, found the ending, particularly the line, “Thank you for saving my life,” to be incredibly tear-jerking.

This emotional reception was likely the outcome Tatum hoped for, as he himself found the project to be a cathartic experience. Speaking to Forbes, he stated, “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 flown somewhat under the radar, but its powerful exploration of healing through canine companionship makes it a film worth revisiting, even for those without dogs. Be warned, however: you might just find yourself inspired to welcome a furry friend into your life after watching it.

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Jason Nguyen

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