My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Just me or are others more bothered by a dog dying in a film/tv programme than humans?

62 replies

SJaneS48 · 10/09/2020 08:15

We re watched ‘ I am Legend’ last night - not the best film to watch in the middle of a pandemic! Though it was sad his daughter and wife died accidentally, I was a hell of a lot bothered by the dog dying! I’d also definitely go full John Wick (without the firearms and any martial arts ability obviously!). I’m not sure if I’m missing some empathy chip but I’m definitely more involved about what happens to the dog in haunted house horror films than I am the families!

OP posts:
Report
Itsrainingnotmen · 10/09/2020 08:17

I always shout at the TV that I hope no ddog was hurt in the making of this! Dh rolls his eyes if a ddog is ever on scene!
Blush

Report
Heptember · 10/09/2020 08:19

Yeah me Grin isn't it awful? I don't think I'm a sociopath... but I definitely get more upset when the serial killer gets the dog, rather than the five humans that he's already offed.

It's that little whimper that they always include Sad

Report
lurker101 · 10/09/2020 08:20

Me too! Never watch “A dog’s purpose” I made that mistake on a flight once and cried from start to finish 💔

Report
CupcakesK · 10/09/2020 08:25

Me too. You expect deaths of humans in certain films before you start watching, but the dogs’ deaths always take you by surprise and they never deserve it. Definitely not a sociopath!

Report
CaptainMyCaptain · 10/09/2020 08:28

It's because dogs are so innocent (no malice or scheming - they are what they are). Not that the victims of crime aren't innocent too but it's different.

Report
SJaneS48 · 10/09/2020 08:29

Not seen that but I tend to avoid any film with a brave dog struggling in horrible situations as I get very very stressed - it’s been that way since I watched ‘The Incredible Journey’ as a kid and was completely traumatised!

I don’t think I’m a sociopath either (at least, I hope not!) and it’s not that I don’t give a monkeys about the humans.. I just care a bit (lot!) more about the dog making it through!

OP posts:
Report
Heptember · 10/09/2020 08:30

And also, we understand that humans know from an early age that other humans are capable of terrible things. But a dogs nature is so innocent and trusting...Sad

Report
lynsey91 · 10/09/2020 08:31

Yes I do. I have watched I am Legend twice and both times cried when the dog died.

DH said "so you don't care that so many humans died?" and I just said "no".

Report
BiteyShark · 10/09/2020 08:39

We can't watch I am legend anymore as both of us know what's coming with the dog Sad

Report
cosmopolitanplease · 10/09/2020 08:46

Yes, as soon as an animal appears in a film I say 'I hope nothing happens to it'. I was so angry about the tiger in The Walking Dead, even though I'd happily watched countless humans eaten alive!

I do wonder if something's wrong with me. I can't watch The Supervet because of the stress it causes me (it's not always a happy ending!) but I am an avid watcher of 24 Hours in A&E, Ambulance etc. I do have empathy for innocent people but age has made a misanthrope of me.

Report
StCharlotte · 10/09/2020 08:51

The first time we watched Marley & Me we had just got a beautiful rescue yellow Lab. Towards the end of the film our dog took to his basket and faced towards the wall as if he knew and couldn't bear to watch what was coming!

The second time at that point DH went and made tea and returned distinctly pink eyed.

We lost our gorgeous boy last year after 11 great years. We won't watch it ever again.

I'm the same with cats.

Report
Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 10/09/2020 08:58

Me too! Never watch “A dog’s purpose” I made that mistake on a flight once and cried from start to finish 💔


Oh definitely. I was in a right state watching this!

There's a website where you can check if the dog dies in a movie Grin

Report
gubbbbbddaaaa · 10/09/2020 09:03

Yeah I'm the same , it's a great film but very sad when he has to kill
His dog 😔

Report
SJaneS48 · 10/09/2020 09:05

I think with cats I trust them on some level to get themselves out of a difficult situation and have a bit more common sense/less prone to stupid acts of loyalty if you know what I mean?! I’d put a lot more money on our cat making it of the house if a killer got in during the night than the dog. The dog would probably offer him tea and biscuits. The dog would be a gonna!

OP posts:
Report
bengalcat · 10/09/2020 09:42

Me too - if there’s a fire in a book , film or real life my first concern is the dog, cat and any other wildlife .

Report
Dragongirl10 · 10/09/2020 09:47

Not surprising at all really as Dogs are so much nicer than most humans.....

Report
pigsDOfly · 10/09/2020 18:13

Yeah, another one here.

Dogs are so trusting and vulnerable.

I almost always stop reading books or watching things if it looks like a dog is going to be hurt or killed. I find it too upsetting.

The only book that I didn't stop reading where a dog was hurt was a detective story that started with the detective punching a man he saw beating a dog with a stick. He knocked the guy out, took the dog home and kept him as his well cared for pet.

It wasn't a particularly memorable book and that's pretty much all I can recall about it, but I finished reading it because I thought he was such a hero Grin

Report
Thesuzle · 10/09/2020 18:46

Yes. I cry over the dogs but also get very distressed at seeing and hearing babies/young children screaming in fright, as adult actors shout over their heads
Who would let their baby on set for this to happen to them ?

Report
birthdaybelle · 10/09/2020 19:01

I'm 100% with you

Report
MashedSweetSpud · 10/09/2020 19:05

I agree.

I watch through my fingers and say “Nooo, not the dog/cat/other animal”.

Report
StillMedusa · 10/09/2020 19:13

Totally.. I am legend has me in bits. And any other film where an animal suffers. It's their innocence. Humans do horrible things to humans but animals just ARE.
It extends to me not being able to visit some countries because of the starving animals around. I KNOW there are humans living in abject poverty but show me a thin beaten donkey and I cannot cope.
Even visiting Rome.. there were so many stray cats I found it really hard to see (I also have cats).

In my defence I support both animal and human charities monthly!!!

Report
Bargebill19 · 10/09/2020 19:19

Me too. Any hint of an animal coming to harm or worse and that’s it for me. Even if it’s a cartoon character.
Human characters - meh!

Report
StCharlotte · 10/09/2020 19:23

Red Dog is another Sad

Report
Balaur · 10/09/2020 19:26

Yes, I'm the same sociopathic can handle humans getting offed in films etc but not animals. It IS their innocence i think.

Pigsdofly I'm pretty sure that was one of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series of books. I remember it particularly because that scene was set in a park I live very close to.

Report
Londonborncatty · 10/09/2020 19:29

Not me. I cry at humans much more than animals. However my DC is the same. Can watch any sad film, cartoon, fairy tale etc without any emotion but the first time they watched a film where a dog died, they were inconsolable. Now have to check what happens to any dog before we watch any film. It bothered them terribly. Slightly strange 😆

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.