Un cucciolo per due

Yes the dog was the star of the movie, or at least the best part. The kid wasn't bad either.

Actually the leads were OK too with a couple of exceptions. The animosity went on a little too long and Ben's meanness with the shoes was uncalled for and out of place. Then as happens way too often in these movies, characters do a reversal of feelings almost instantly with very little explanation for the change. The ending was generally what you'd expect but there wasn't enough relationship established to justify it. But that's what you get in a TV movie especially when time is spent on other characters like the dog and Caitlin.

There's really no big highs or lows and the only real problem or conflict popped up out of nowhere and was quickly resolved.

Candace is one of my favorite actresses from Hallmark and she did an absolutely amazing job with this movie. Very heartwarming and sweet!! Thank you Candace for being such a wonderful person!!

When minor league ballplayer Victor Webster's dog runs away, he is adopted by Candace Cameron's Bure's daughter and eventually they all fall in love.

Dogs have been a mainstay of movies since 1905's RESCUED BY ROVER and the large Heinz 57 that plays Jake the dog in this movie is a charmer. His on screen poor training provides most of jokes and tensions in this movie.

In the midst of the amiably plotted story, we are offered some useful lessons on how to train a dog. Since some of the other reviews of Hallmark Channel movies indicate it is watched by older people with their children and grandchildren and each commercial break offers a message urging people to adopt a homeless pet.... well, let's hope that they do.

I enjoy this movie but it's so unrealistic that Ben doesn't always recognise his own beloved dog/bark. However I like that the characters try to consider everyone's situations.

As a starting point, we get the veteran of Hallmark, Candace Cameron Bure, who is, characteristically at times, overly high strung. Then we get Victor Webster who is awllllll man (and so much of it!) and who doesn't love that cutie pooch! Awwww Jake is adorable.

So we have a great playing field (pardon the pun) but then ... omg ... this show sent chills down my spine in a very UN-Hallmark way!

The way the two leads fought over the dog. If you have ever been acrimoniously divorced with a battle over child custody, you will most likely have complete sense of humour failure during this show.

The 'parents' openly yell at each other over the 'custody' (yes, of the dog). They pit the dog against each other by teaching the dog to act out whilst in the other person's custody and the tussle leads to heartbreaking scenes of goodbyes with the dog over and over again.

If these scenes were meant to be funny, then the scriptwriter needs to grow a heart.