A Dog Named Gucci

I was at A Dog Named Gucci in Youngstown, Ohio tonight..I am a administrator for Nitro's Ohio Army. As I was driving to see this movie tonight all emotions I had felt fighting for the passage of Nitro's Law came rushing into my head. The wound was open again. The hurt the pain the tears the hate I was remembering. Calling-emailing-writing legislators. The nights that some of us stayed up and posted on every newspaper every News Channel that possibly by chance animal lovers would read about Nitro's story and why Ohio needed better laws in Ohio.

I ate, drank and breathed Nitro's Bill.

After watching your movie I felt the fight again coming on. A stronger will to fight for better laws for animals. The movie reminded me why I had started and that I would never stop. My belly was filled with butterflies and I knew what I was doing was right and to keep fighting! Thank You for such a wonderful movie..It was full of inspiration and sent out the message of motivation. Don't ever stop reminding people what is happening in the real world!

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie last night in Mobile, AL. In the world of rescue, those of us who volunteer our time are not unfamiliar with horrific animal abuse situations. Many of us have had hands-on experience in the aftermath of these types of cases. However, for Gucci, Shauna and Doug, this awful, unthinkable situation was miraculously used for the future good of other animals. Sadly, it takes heartache and tragedy to inspire a movement of this magnitude, and we should learn from this to be the voice, stand for what we know is right and not back down, no matter what! Thank you for a wonderful documentary, highlighting the need for stronger animal welfare laws.

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.

"A Dog Named Gucci" left many in tears with its poignant story. But to the filmmaker's credit, it was far from manipulating. Director Gorman Bechard was also one that was more interested in an awareness campaign rather than taking the easy route of inflammatory cinema. The "Gucci Bill" changed the laws in Alabama turning animal cruelty into a felony, and starting a wondrous domino effect throughout the nation. Gucci was a ten week old puppy that was hung by its neck, beaten repeatedly and then set afire. Somehow this pup survived, and his savior and new owner, Doug James, fought not only for his life, but for all other animals in his state.

Where many could have focused on the cruelty and the perpetrator, Bechard chooses to highlight the fight against such viciousness, the happiness and companionship that blossoms, and the bureaucratic struggles to achieve what is right. It's a wonderful and beautiful testament to Gucci, his owner, and all other animals and the people that care for them. If all that was not enough, Bechard encourages us to stay through the entire credits delivering absorbing anecdotes, information on how to combat animal cruelty, and an absolutely compassionate song that makes one want to go out and purchase it immediately.

This review is taken in part from my article, "Highlights from the 15th Annual Phoenix Film Festival" at The Movie Guys.

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.