When Friday night calls for “Netflix and chill,” and your dog wants to snuggle up for a movie night, what’s your go to film? At Noah’s Bark, we decided to create our go-to list of dog movies that keep the warm and fuzzies, not to mention, Kleenex flowing for a feel good Friday night. 

Here are our all time favorite dog movies: 

10. Turner & Hooch

Detective Scott Turner must adopt Beasley, the dog of a dead man to help him solve the murder. A definitive anti-dog person, Turner is eventually converted by Beasley’s loving, and at times, mischievous pursuits.  

9. Lady & The Tramp

A Disney classic, Lady & The Tramp is a tale dog love overcoming all bounds and social status. (Plus that lovable spaghetti kiss.) Originally released in 1955, Lady & The Tramp is still heralded as one of of Disney’s best animated films ever made. 

8. Beethoven

After a litter of puppies are stolen from a pet shop by two thieves, Beethoven (later named when he barks along to music by Ludwig von Beethoven) steals the hearts of the Newton family—but a whacky veterinarian and burglars are still after the lovable St. Bernard.    

7. All Dogs Go to Heaven

When you’re in the mood for a good cry and a quirky animated classic, All Dogs Go to Heaven is the perfect choice. Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds) returns to earth and forsakes his place in heaven to help an orphan girl, you’ll be feeling all the feelings.  

6. Old Yeller

It takes a while for Travis to take to the stray Old Yeller, but he soon realizes how helpful the clever dog can be on long cattle drives on their Texas homestead. Cue the heartstrings and the tissues.  

5. The Adventures of Milo & Otis

Originally released as a Japanese film under the title “A Kitten’s Story,”The Adventures of Milo and Otis follow a curious cat and her pug companion on a series of adventures that is as heartwarming as they are hilarious. 

4. White Fang

Based on the novel by Jack London, a young Ethan Hawke stars as Jack Conroy, a pioneer searching for gold in the Yukon who has a wolfdog to thank when he intervenes to save Jack’s life from a grizzly bear.  

3. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

An adventurous journey of three friends Shadow, Sassy, and Chance who strike out to find their owners after mistakenly assuming they’ve been abandoned on a ranch. Their explorations take them to the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and eventually land them in The Pound, which they of course escape and ultimately make it home safely. 

2. 101 Dalmatians

Was there ever a villain as cruel as Cruella de Vil? Pongo and Perdita give birth to a litter of Dalmatian puppies that are stolen for their fur by the infamous Cruella. The parents set out to rescue their puppies and succeed in rescuing even more pups than they bargained for. Go for the animated version, it’s the best! 

1. Marley & Me

After Jenny & John Grogan get married and move to South Florida, they begin contemplating starting a family. To prepare, they decide to adopt a yellow Labrador retriever. The couple had no idea what they were getting into with a dog that defies all obedience lessons, but ends up making great content for John’s weekly newspaper column. All the laughs, tears, and life lessons make Marley & Me our Number 1 pick.

There are many things, both inside and outside your home, that can cause your pet to become anxious - from fireworks and vehicle sounds, to other animals or simply loneliness. But here at ZenCrate we are always looking for the best remedies to treat and calm your uneasy dog.

As with humans, aromatherapy and the use of high quality essential oils, can be a highly effective therapy to help relieve stress and reduce your dog’s anxiety. They can be used to soothe them when travelling or during a thunderstorm, lift their spirit if they are suffering from separation anxiety and even focus your dog during training.

The essential oil can be combined with a carrier oil, such as sesame or almond oil, and applied topically to your dog’s skin, just a few drops at a time, avoiding the snout, eyes and ears. Alternatively, they can be mixed with water (2-3 drops per cup) and sprayed onto your dog’s bed or directly onto his coat.

These are some of our favorites oils for different types of anxiety.

For General Anxiety:

• Lavender
• Neroli
• Petigrain

For Sound Sensitivity:

• Lavender
• Melissa
• Neroli
• Valerian

All of these oils have a calming effect and can even be combined together in an aromatherapy blend.

For Separation Anxiety:

• Lavender
• Sweet Orange
• Ylang Ylang
• Jasmine

If your dog becomes restless when left alone, the use of a diffuser might be an appropriate method to administer the oils. All three can be combined in a blend, and continuously misted into their air of your home.

As with any treatment you administer to your pet, monitor their reactions to it and adjust accordingly. If your pet appears to exhibit any form of irritation or dislike to the product, stop immediately. Topically administered oil can be removed using an unblended carrier oil on a cloth, wiped over the  application site.

Note: Extreme anxiety should be treated by your vet. Also, essential oils should NOT be used as a treatment for other household pets, including cats.

The Guisachan Golden Retriever Gathering, Scotland 

Honoring the birthplace of the breed, over 200 Golden Retrievers gather in a 3-day long celebration that includes tug of war, a dog show, and Golden Retrievers being generally charming and awesome 24/7. This year will celebrate the 150th year of the founding of the breed by Lord Tweedmouth at the original place of the breed’s birth at the Guisachan House. The event is hosted by the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland and you can find more information here. 

The Jaipur Elephant Festival, India 

The elephant festival in Jaipur, India is celebrated on the day of Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Beginning with a brightly bedazzled procession of rows and rows of elephants, the festival includes elephant polo, where polo players mount elephants and try to score goals with long sticks. Many of the participating elephants are female, and their caretakers take special attention to create the ornate patterns and floral filigree painted on their trunks and feet.  

The Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand 

Truly a festival for the monkeys, the Monkey Buffet Festival takes place in Lopburi, North of Bangkok where over 4,000 kilograms (or about 8,800 pounds) of fruit, vegetables, and candy are set out for monkeys to dine on at their leisure. Over 3,000 monkeys live in the nearby areas and they gather to enjoy a buffet just for them. 

Running of the Bulls , Spain 

Dating back to the 14th century, the tradition of the running of the bulls began from the need to transport bulls from their homes in the country to the bullrings inside the city where they would likely meet their fate during a bullfighting match. To run with the bulls, you must be over 18, run in the same direction (as the bulls), and refrain from alcohol consumption before your run. Interested in jumping in? Find out how to get involved here. 

 

Surf City Surf Dog, USA 

Does your dog know how to hang ten? Then you may want to enter them in the Surf City Surf Dog contest in Huntington Beach, CA. Featuring the surfing competition, a PAWabunga Costume Contest, and a Hot Diggity Dog Expo, it’s a great way to spend a day on Huntington Dog Beach.