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

[SJaneS48]

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!

Anyone else watch 'Des' about the horrific murders committed by Dennis Nilsen and come away feeling upset about how his poor dog was treated after his arrest?

I love dogs but humans dying before their time in films is far more upsetting to me.

I cannot watch any movie scenes where animals are hurt. I cried in my grade 7 classroom silent reading class when reading The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, when Flag the deer was shot. Not a good look for the class geek! I feel something in me has caused me to feel so strongly. But I don't know what.

And I am not British. I think there is something in some of us that emotionally responds to anyone or anything harming a defenseless animal, especially dogs, who are the closest species to us as far as relationships go. Dogs have walked beside humans for thousands of years. We are inextricably linked in ways we are only starting to understand.

Years ago I watched a film called “eight below” which was about a pack of Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes who went missing. Paul Walker ( RIP ) was the lead and one of the huskies died, I sobbed.

We are picking our new Siberian Husky puppy up in a couple of weeks and there’s
no way I could watch it now.

Same!

Yes definitely op

cosmopolitanplease YES I was outraged that he was put to sleep 😭

I have found my people with this thread. I do get some teasing from family and friends and the tale of my flood of tears watching ‘A Dogs Purpose’ caused much hilarity.

I’d love to work with animals but I know being confronted with any mistreatment would devastate me

I know exactly what you mean. DH works for an International Animal Welfare NGO and as part of his role has to go on fact finding missions internationally to zoos & animal entertainment venues, posing as a tourist and trying to get as behind the scenes as possible with a camera. He has seen & documented some really horrendous things but manages to go out and do the same thing again. I don’t want to look at his pictures or hear the details if I’m honest as I find it unbearable. I wish I was someone he could share and process this stuff with but I just can’t.

@cosmopolitanplease yes!! Poor thing. Whenever there is a crime thriller and someone is taken away in handcuffs and there is an animal in the house, some part of my head is worrying whether it will just get left there!

Yess! And Stephen king books you know the animals are never going to make it 😭

Yes! If there's a dog (or other animal) in a horror/crime etc. film I have to pause it and check on Does The Dog Die!

@SJaneS48 I am exactly the same when someone gets arrested/murdered/taken hostage and they have a pet! Quite often though you do see the police finding it/someone taking it out though, fortunately.