I am a HUGE animal lover. I love animals in all shapes and sizes. I have great compassion for animals too. I can’t even watch those commercials on television about abused and neglected animals. The moment I hear them come on TV I change the channel promptly.
Just the other day I was driving to work when I noticed a squirrel in the middle of the road that had been hit by a car. It was still moving. I wanted to stop and help it but I was late for work and the poor little squirrel was in a really bad (blind) turn on a dangerous road. There was no place to pull over and even if I found a place I risked getting hit by a car.
ALL DAY I was sick to my stomach and worried about the squirrel. So much so I wanted to cry!
Later that day I drove home that way and looked for him. I didn’t see him so I hope (and pray!) that means he was able to get up and run away.
Anyway…
A few months ago the film A Dog’s Purpose was in theaters. I wanted to see the movie because I love dogs, but seeing as how our dog was very sick (we had to put him to sleep), I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to handle that film emotionally. For that reason I never saw it in the theater. I didn’t want to cry hysterically in front of strangers.
A Dog’s Purpose is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. I received a copy of the the film a few days ago. With a box of tissues in hand (seriously… a whole box!) I popped the movie in to watch it.
A Dog’s Purpose is about the life of a dog. He starts off as a puppy who is given the name Bailey. He escapes from a puppy mill and is taken in by a young boy named Ethan.
Bailey and Ethan are the best of friends and Bailey is with him until he passes away (MAJOR tissue moment). But that is not the end of Bailey. Bailey is reincarnated into another dog. And then another dog. And then another dog.
The film follows Bailey (just one of his names) as he is reborn as a different dog (and even a different gender) who touches the life of humans throughout each life.
In the end, the dog that was once Bailey comes full circle. I don’t want to give away too much detail. You’ll just have to pick up the movie and watch it for yourself.
Did I cry watching this film? YES! Some tears were sad tears. Other tears were happy tears. In my defense I’m a very sensitive person to begin with. I cry at commercials, so that should tell you something.
ALL of the dogs in this film were super adorable. If you are a dog lover you’ll definitely appreciate that about the film.
I thought it was a lovely, heart warming film that highlighted just how amazing, wonderful and beautiful dogs are and how special they are to us as humans. I know from my own experience with dogs I have owned and lost over the years, each one brought something very special to our lives and we’ll cherish their memories forever.
I also have the book A Dog’s Purpose. The film was based on the book written by W. Bruce Cameron. I haven’t finished the book yet. I’d say I’m a little less than halfway through it.
There are few differences between the book and the movie. Take for example how we (the reader/viewer) get to know Bailey. In the movie we know the pup as Bailey from the beginning. He escaped from a puppy mill and is taken in by Ethan and his family. In the book Bailey starts out as a stray pup named Toby. The books gives more of a backstory about Toby’s sad life before he became Bailey. In fact, Toby’s life is very sad and heart-breaking. I appreciate that he film makers didn’t start off with Toby’s story. I wouldn’t have been able to watch that.
In the movie Bailey helps Ethan meet his love of his life. Bailey runs up to Hannah and puts his nose up her skirt. Embarrassed, Ethan approached Hannah and apologizes for his dog’s actions. The pair end up hanging out with one another at the fair, which is the start of their relationship. In the book Ethan and Hannah meet much differently. In the book Hannah and Ethan meet when Hannah brings over some brownies to Ethan’s grandparents while he is visiting with them for the summer.
There is a character in the book/film named Todd. In the book Todd is much different then he was in the film. In the book Todd is a truly horrible person and does horrific things – things I am glad we didn’t need to see play out in the movie.
There are bonus features on the Blu-ray/DVD. Normally I watch the bonus features, but I was unable to this time around. I plan on watching them in the near future. Bonus features include:
• Deleted Scenes
• Outtakes
• Lights, Camera, Woof! – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
• A Writer’s Purpose – Learn the story behind W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel.
If you would like to learn more about this film you can visit the official movie website. You can also check out the film on social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The official hashtag is #ADogsPurposeMovie.
Below is the trailer for your enjoyment.
I have a wonderful giveaway for a lucky reader. One winner will receive A Dog’s Purpose on Blu-ray/DVD as well as a copy of the book.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on May 14, 2017. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me why you’d like to win this prize package – OR – tell me about a special dog in your life.
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.
Kimberly
*I received a screener copy of the film to review and a copy of the book to read/review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Melanie MOntgomery says
I would love to see this!
My dog Blue is my little buddy, he’s a rescue and he’s given me so muchlove over the years.
Jeanna says
My kids really wanted to see this movie and we missed it when it came to theaters! I think it would make a great movie for family movie night.
Yesenia Arechiga says
I didn’t get the chance to watch and read the movie. I once had a baby Pitbull named Bobby but he ran away and never came back.
Derek says
I really liked reading the book and I’ve been wanting to see the movie.
Cynthia R says
I would like to win this prize because I have been wanting to see the movie and read the book, this has both of them!
mami2jcn says
I’d like to win this because my husband and daughter have seen the movie and really enjoyed it.
bernie wallace says
I would like to win this for my niece. She loves movies about Dogs. Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win.
shelly peterson says
I would like to win to see this movie, it looks really good and my family would enjoy it.
Linda Kish says
I love dogs and haven’t seen the movie yet and I haven’t read the book either.
Heather R says
The special dog that I have in my life is my 6mo Miniature Schnauzer. He is such a loving and spoiled puppy!
Audrey Stewart says
I would win for our kids. Like you, I cry at anything. I don’t know if I could handle this.
Melissa Storms says
I would love to win this to have a family movie night. My son wants to watch the movie so much and he is an avid reader so i know he would love this package. I am sorry for your loss, Espn was a beautiful boy.
Jackie says
We are dog lovers and would love to see this movie. I also heard the book is very good.
We have a dog named Abby. She is very loveable and a lot of fun.
Thank you!
Julie Wood says
I love dogs and we have a mutt mix terrier pug, and she is such a funny dog and the whole family loves her! Her name is Molly!
Jennifer Bellotti says
I would like to win this because it looks like a really cute movie and my kids want to see it.
Kristie says
I’d love to read the book and see the movie!! I’ve been wanting to! 🙂
BusyWorkingMama says
My daughter and her friends are huge dog lovers. They’d enjoy watching this movie together.
Charlene S. says
I would love to win this and watch it with my family.
Elena says
I want to win because I wanted to see this movie
Ellie Wright says
I have 2 special dogs in my life, our shar-peis Paisley and Spike. They are big wrinkled clowns and always brighten my day.
Ellen B says
I’ve been wanting to read this book and see the movie – the kids love dogs
heather says
I so want to win this one for the kids in the family we love animals so much and this looks like a great movie.
Ken Ohl says
I would love to win this for the whole family to watch
Christina Foley says
I have not seen the movie yet for similar reasons as you, a few months prior to the movie coming out we lost one of our dogs. Stella was my heart and soul. I volunteer for a local rescue and foster, and love every dog that crosses my path but Stella was one that stole my heart from the literal second I saw her photo. She was just 9 weeks old and I had no idea of her story but she was my heart dog. The long story made short is she was used as a bait puppy for a fighting ring, she suffered head trauma and would never been a “normal’ dog, deemed unadoptable due to her fear and aggression, she could have been a forever foster but to me she was perfect.. to me she was 100% adoptable, she was ours and we loved her. I still miss her every single day.
Kimberly says
I am so very sorry for your loss. 🙁 I’m glad that you were able to give her a wonderful life, even though her earlier life was horrible. That makes my heart smile.
elizabeth miller says
We really wanted to see this movie when it came out but it seemed as though because of all the rumor surrounding it that it was gone from the theater as fast as it showed up. I regret that we did not get to see it.
Edye says
I’d like to win this for my family and I to enjoy.
Mary Cloud says
I’d like to win this because it looks like a good movie
Chantelle Walker says
This movie gave me such feels! I got home and hugged my dog so tightly. Dogs are endless love and joy, only sad thing is the short amount of time we get with them.
Becca says
My dog Hunter is my special dog. He is such a cuddle bug!
bill norris says
I missed it in theaters and would love to see it.
Laurie Nykaza says
I have 3 dogs so i would love to see this movie with my kids
Dianne Robbins says
I was raised in a house where we always had at least one dog. There was so much love for our pets. They truly were family members.
Daniel M says
wanna win for the family to watch
Shelley says
I would love to win this prize pack because I love dogs and have been wanting to read A Dog’s Purpose.
Ken C says
Love to win this for my wife, she loves her dogs
Leela says
I’d love it for my family to enjoy together.
Michele Pineda says
I would love to win this for our family movie night, we missed it in theaters and would love to watch it since I’ve heard it is a good movie.
Trisha says
I read the book to my daughter and I’d love her to see the movie too.