A Dog Named Gucci

This is a great movie about how a small group of people effected change in a difficult system. What could have been very tragic became a motivator and inspiration in the community that rallied behind Gucci, the state and its foot-dragging legislature and in cities and states far away. Plus,it's just a great story of a man and his dog. It was enlightening to see how people all over the country and all over the world took notice in 1994, when very few states made animal cruelty a felony and took it upon themselves to to change that, not with deep pockets and big organizations, but with a sweet dog and a personal touch. The movie will, in some ways, shock even hardened "animal rescuers" but overall it brings hope and joy and should inspire renewed determination for the next generation.

Saw a screening at the Phx Film Fest. As a dog owner/lover, I found this film eye-opening about the cruelty perpetrated upon the animals that have been our unflinching companions for generations, as well as the brave people taking steps to change legislation. However, to see this only as a commentary on animal abuse is to sell the film short. Abusing pets (or any creature) bespeaks a certain level of instability, or at least a severe lack of empathy. The film estimates that there are one MILLION cases of animal abuse in this country every year. Not isolated cases, but a significant number of people torturing their animals - not just in momentary anger, but also in prolonged cases of neglect - a symptom of something more systemic about why the PEOPLE in our society act out with such mindless cruelty. While the causes are likely varied, I might start by looking at the undue stresses we inflict upon our citizens by not providing equal access to social services and health care; not paying a living wage; and not providing a quality education; just to name a few. Concentrating on making life more humane for HUMANS and animals alike, rather than simply stiffening jail sentences may be our better choice in reducing cruelty in all its forms. Great film - don't miss it!

Director Gorman Bechard found two appealing stars for his documentary film, "A Dog Named Gucci." First and foremost is Gucci, a charismatic chow mix who will steal your heart, as he does with almost everyone he meets. Doug James, who rescued Gucci from horrifying violence, is a gentle and persistent soul, who sees the need for change in the animal cruelty laws and does something about it. Doug and Gucci are inspirational, no matter what cause you are interested in. They show that ordinary people can get things done. The story of Gucci is augmented by the stories of dogs named Louis, Nitro and John,and the comments from prosecutors, other lawyers, humane societies, and veterinarians. The heartbreak of the cruelty to defenseless dogs is balanced out by the goodness of the people who care, although the "flip book" at the end of the film showing other dogs was hard to take, and occasionally I wanted fewer humane society people and more dogs. The high school student from NY is positively amazing though. I want to find out what she does as she gets older. The impact Gucci and Doug have on Gucci's first owner, a runaway teen, is heartwarming. See this very well made film.

As this film makes clear, we are finally seeing a change in the way our society perceives the abuse of animals. It reinforces the power of social action, and the attendant amplification of that power through social media. The film is a plea not for funding or institutional support, but for simply caring about the welfare of animals and speaking up to encourage that laws against abuse are enforced by local authorities. The emphasis here is not on showing abuse, although inevitably the survivors are important to the story, but on the people who have struggled to change animal cruelty laws. Finally in the 21st century, such abuse can be charged as felony crime in our country. As a film, it tells a wonderful and inspiring story of individuals who cared to fight for animals, told largely through interviews and news footage. The result is that by promoting change in person and online, everyday people can insure that the welfare of animals is being enhanced and their abusers punished.

Not just the story of a dog named Gucci, but the story of individuals who refused to stand by when animal abuse occurred, refused to accept that the animal abuse laws were non-existent or merely useless, and decided to make a difference.

People were crying in the theater at points but,ultimately, this is an inspiring story about Gucci the Rock Star and the positive changes individuals can make when they put their minds to it and refuse to accept the status quo.

Every state in this country now has felony animal cruelty laws but they can all stand to be improved and strengthened. Hopefully, A Dog Named Gucci will inspire people to approach their legislators and demand even stronger laws to protect companion and other animals in this country.

World Premiere, 2/14/2015, Missoula, Montana.