Let’s talk pet movie heroes, who deserved a front seat at the Academy Awards and why dog movies make us cry like… ‘puppies’.
The 2022 Academy Awards had a few moments that the world is talking about. Beyonce opened the show with a breath-taking performance, Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli made the world cry - it was the most inclusive Oscar’s so far. Our pawsome tearjerker “The Power of the Dog” came away with 12 nominations and nothing else of note happened… (unless you count a viral slap).
So, this got us thinking,
- Why don’t pet movies win more Oscars?
- Why don’t our four-legged friends get to walk the red carpet – and if they could, what would they wear?
- Why do pet movies empty our tissue boxes?
Scroll down for our list of the most iconic pet movies.
When we think of Hollywood celebrities, we think of humans. However, we thought we would give some of our unsung (un-barked) heroes that graced the screens an invite - and an outfit to wear down the carpet! Therefore, at the inclusive Oscar’s, we want dogs of all different shapes and sizes. Leading the red carpet wearing DOGUE we have,
- Marley the Golden Retriever (Marley & Me),
- Scooby Doo the Great Dane (Scooby Doo),
- Bruiser the Chihuahua (Legally Blonde),
- Baxter the Terrior (Anchorman),
- Lady the Cockerspaniel (Lady and the Tramp),
- And Tramp, whose breed is unknown (Lady and the Tramp).
MARLEY
MARLEY & ME
Most pet owners can relate to this film from the late 2000s. The movie makes us crack up at Marley's disobedient puppy antics and then makes you appreciate that, despite all the troublemaking, puppies can really bring a family together. This one will make you love your pooch even more than you thought you could. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson star in this heartfelt movie based on the popular book by John Grogan. They adopt a not-so-obedient Labrador named Marley, who they eventually learn to live with and love. Fair warning: grab a box of tissues before you hit play. We’ve dressed Marley in an all-red ensemble to match his bold personality!
SHOP THE LOOK
STRIPE HARNESS
PLAIN JANE COLLAR
PLAIN JANE LEAD
SCOOBY DOO,
ALL VERSIONS
Okay, how many different versions of Scooby Doo in pop culture have we had? And there hasn’t been a single Oscar! You won’t find Scooby tucked up in the Dog House because he is the best mystery-solving dog in the business. Scooby-Doo is constantly overcoming his fears and “accidentally” solving the mysteries. If there is any sinister behaviour at the award show, Scooby is ready to go.
Scoob’s dog costume is a simple piece, consisting of a collar and tag, so we’re also keeping it basic. While in the show Scooby doesn’t have a lead (he’s busy solving mysteries), at the awards he might need some controlling with all the excitement. We have also added a cardi as an option… just in case he wants to match with his BFF and partner in crime, Shaggy. Plus, Scooby is known for his need for Scooby Snacks so we aren’t letting him go hungry. We’ve made sure a handful of DOGUE treats are on-paw always and a travel bowl for constant snack breaks.
A dog of wisdom, Scooby speaks the classic line:
“Scooby, dooby dooo”
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TRAVEL BOWL
CLASSIC BOW TIE
CLASSIC LEATHER COLLAR
CARDI IN GREEN
CLASSIC STITCH LEAD IN NAVY
BRUISER, LEGALLY BLONDE
Elle Wood’s much-loved pet Chihuahua is a Hollywood superstar, but certainly does not get enough credit as queen of the pet movie. Bruiser is often slaying a dog costume, so we’re putting Bruiser in an all-pink ensemble, to show off his extra style, matching Elle’s iconic outfits.
A Dog of Wisdom:
“I’m Elle Woods and this is Bruiser Woods. And we’re both Gemini vegetarians
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BOLD CANVAS HARNESS (FROM $24.95)
LIMITED EDITION BOWTIE ACCESSORY (FROM $24.95)
CABLE KNIT (FROM $34.95)
BAXTER,
ANCHOR MAN
If you’re looking for the pawfect Pet Movie, look no further than Anchorman. This might be controversial, but Baxter is the true hero of both Anchorman films and therefore deserves a seat at the Academy Awards. The Wise Dog, multilingual Border Terrior has enlightening conversations with Ron Burgundy and an unbreakable friendship.
However, the thing about Baxter is that he’s a free spirit. Given he devours cheese wheels, he has a pretty chill outlook on a fancy occasion such as the Oscar’s. Therefore, this Dog Costume is focused on maximum comfort.
Fun Fact: He was played by Peanut, a rescue pup from the Los Angeles Animal Services East Valley Shelter.
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DOGUE DESIGN PJS
WILDFLOWER BLANKETS
DOGUE MAN COLLAR
LADY AND THE TRAMP
In 1955, Lady and the Tramp stole the show with one of Hollywood's most memorable date scenes (I mean seriously, how many people have tried the spaghetti trick since?). This classic story deals with forbidden love between a well-bred, beautiful cocker spaniel and her street dog boyfriend. We have dressed the two of them in similar outfits, consisting of matching knits, the floral collar for Lady and the Plain Jane collar for Tramp. To jazz up the collar we have added a classy black bowtie (it is black tie after all).
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CABLE KNIT RED
CABLE KNIT BLUE
FOXY COLLAR
PLAIN JANE COLLAR
BOW TIE
So, why do these animals make us cry?
- Instant connection. Science shows that our connection with four-legged friends is almost immediate. Therefore, the hour it took you to get familiar with the film’s protagonist makes you feel more to the on-screen animal than any other character! Humans have to individually earn our trust, but pets get our compassion when we first encounter them.
- Coming of age. Let’s use Marley and Me as an example. We see Marley grow up from puppyhood to adulthood – see him grow and change and therefore our relationship goes deeper. Therefore, when we see old age hit we are reminded of our special moments with our pets.
- Humans bad… dogs good. Humans in movies, as in life, are complex characters with good and bad traits, whereas it's difficult to see a lot of bad in animals. They are generally portrayed in films as loyal, courageous and brave. That only makes them even more loveable.
- Ever cried in a Disney/Pixar movie? Dog movies are very similar to the classic heartbreakers like Finding Nemo (we don’t think of it as a sad movie…but why am I bawling…).
Although it’s a major factor, the tears in pet movies don’t necessarily come from something terrible happening. Before we hit reason number 5 let’s preface it by saying in fact, more often than not, you might find your eyes welling up when the dog gets lost, slightly injured or just runs around looking all innocent and cute! Maybe it’s if Scooby gets in a tight spot that’s just…too tight. Or when Baxter the loyal hound is flung to the ocean (even though you know he will be right back out). It could be Lady and the Tramp and it’s connections to Shakespeare. Is it Red Dogs adventure around Australia? Perhaps it is the moment in The Life of Pets where you realise your dog might be b*tching about you. Movies like A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey are instant tearjerkers (have a look at reasons 2 and 3). Films we have watched time and time again, Lassie, Beethoven, Milo and Otis are sweet tales of pups on adventure and we KNOW they’ll be okay…but tell that to the empty box of tissues. So, let us look to reason 5,
- Dogs are the best. (That’s it)
As promised, here is of our most iconic Pet Movies:
- Marley & Me
- Red Dog
- A Dog’s Purpose
- The Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- A Dog’s Journey
- The Secret Life of Pets
- Isle of Dogs
- Eight Below
- Beethoven
- Bolt
- Beverly Hills Chihuaha
- Lassie
- The Adventures of Milo & Otis
- The Power of the Dog
- Scooby Doo
So now we ask you to reflect, dear pupstomer:
- Do you get all blubbery when you see a dog on screen?
- Do you wish you could see your pup strutting down the red carpet?
- Do you have any other pet movie faves?
Let us know in the comments – we’ll put the tougher dog breeds in the front row to make sure no funny business happens!