Susie's Hope

I have had the honor of working with, and on behalf of, shelter animals. I was also fortunate enough to receive the love of a Pitt Bull. Whenever we went out for a walk, without fail, some adults who would inquire about her breed would give us "The Look", as I like to call it. Even though, my girl was happily wagging her tail, and ready to give kisses and receive pets, she was automatically viewed as a threat. Funny how all the children in our development would come running to receive those kisses! Susie's Hope is an incredible movie about some amazing folks who could be our next door neighbors. Donna Lawrence endured a horror none of us could even imagine; a Pitt Bull attack. Yet, Donna was able to have the grace and understanding to realize that the dog was not to blame, but the people who were supposed to care for him, and instead betrayed and neglected him.

While most of us would live the rest of our lives in fear, Donna not only walked with courage, but with love. Her rescue of the burned and beaten, puppy, Susie is an imperative message for us all. We turn on the TV, and/or go to the movies and are surrounded by violence, and images of a world in peril. Susie's Hope does just that. It shows us how to walk in the light by the power of love, and with hope and love all things are possible! Watch this with your family, friends and companion animals!

Susie's story is compelling, as is Donna Lawrence's. As a resident of Greensboro, where the events took place, I remember well the news accounts of Susie being found nearly dead from her burns and the updates on her condition as the community came together to contribute to the Guilford County Animal Shelter as they helped Susie. The community also rallied around Donna (a dog attack survivor and Susie's adoptive "mom") and Susie to change the animal cruelty laws in North Carolina.

This movie is faithful to the spirit of Donna, Susie, and other survivors and those who love them. Keep a handkerchief handy and watch this movie!

Having worked with a veterinarian for many years, I have seen, first hand, both the good and the bad in many breeds of dog as well as the people handling them. Susie's Hope doesn't sugar coat reality and I was very pleased to see the emphasis on proper handling and socialization that all dogs need in order to be safe and manageable. Love alone is not enough to make an animal into a good companion. Not just a story of abuse and redemption, this is a beautiful representation of how our relationships with animals touch not just our lives, but also the lives of others. It demonstrates how we are drawn to causes that can sometimes make no sense to the people closest to us. Superb acting brings truth to this with real human reactions to fears and misunderstandings. I will be watching for these actors in upcoming projects! I highly recommend Susie's Hope for the entire family. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me feel hopeful and inspired.

The film is well told and pleasant to watch, with some horrid scenes. A pregnant woman helps a starving dog chained up in the neighbourhood by feeding it, until it lunges angrily at her. The shocking scene of this dog attack was realistic and may upset people who had experienced this before. Despite her ordeal, she later cares for an injured abandoned puppy that was tortured and left to die. The message in the film is one about caring for animals and seek to help those in need, coming together as a community to spread love and compassion. While this is really sweet, it doesn't alter the fact some people will always abuse animals and don't get punished. It also doesn't change how people are cruel to animals. Yet the film is heart warming and more should be made like this.

The positive messages are delivered by the action of the characters, not by hitting you over the head with Thou Shalt Nots. The acting is excellent, the dialog is intelligent. I almost wish the movie could have been a mini-series so that we could see more who these people were, where they came from, etc. And more insight into the relationship they all form -- Donna, her husband, her best friend, and Baby Girl -- prior to the arrival of Susie. And maybe more on what Donna and Susie are doing today. My only criticism is that the first view of Susie as a puppy uses a mechanical (?) animal that is unfortunately not that realistic. But that is only a small bit. Anyone who can watch this movie and not be moved to some sort of action is dead inside. You can donate to the fund or to any of your local rescue groups. Yes, no one can save the world but we can all save one tiny part of it.