Another heart broken needlessly

A friend of mine just had to put her young dog down.

A wonderful bulldog with a great heart and loving nature, he was plagued with so many physical maladies I think even his veterinarian could not list them all in one breath.

The pup was sold to my friend at a considerable cost by a "qualified" breeder in another state. When my friend told the breeder the puppy was excruciatingly sick, had bone problems and more, the "qualified" breeder didn't return her calls.

Nor the desperate emails.

The pup continued to cost my friend considerable money in vet bills she really didn't have.

It takes only a few hours to bond with a sweet puppy, doesn't it. The veterinarian felt badly for my friend; the bills were so massive a discount was given.

Friends and the vet told my friend to get an attorney. At the very least the breeder should pay for the thousands of dollars worth of bills encountered for the pup, and return the purchase price.

Even with a lawyer, the breeder was difficult to deal with until another breeder - well known among breeders with an excellent national standing - agreed to look at the dog to see if my friend was in fact the cause of the pup's problems.

She examined the dog and declared he should have never been sold. Filled with so many genetic conditions, the breeder should give my friend her money back and help with the medical bills - there would be many more to come.

Which led up to yesterday.

When the pup of just a couple years, so beloved and well cared for over the short and yet forever time he was with my friend, was at last freed from his pain and miserable medical treatments meant to extend his life - a life intended to be happy, carefree and overflowing with affection.

The dog is now free from the agony he endured for every one of those many months; free to run and jump and do cartwheels or whatever dogs do in doggie heaven.

But my friend? She's left with a heart broken beyond repair because a (fill in the blank - merciless?) breeder sold her a dog he should not have considered giving away.

Excellent breeders would never allow such a blighted pup out of their care - they'd be sure he had as good a life as he could have for as long as possible; they would be responsible for the pup's care since they brought him into the world and something went wrong in their breeding practice.

Excellent breeders would also take a dog back if it were the case that genetic conditions created such medical misery for a dog. Or any animal sold by a reputable breeder.

My friend will someday miss her pet less. I still miss pets I've had who died in my arms many years ago.

But I'm left to wonder how many thousands of times this same crushing scenario continues because of uncaring, unethical breeders. PETA would say all breeders are the same, in it for money, believing none genuinely care about the animal whose numbers they continue to increase in our world.

I would not go that far, but I do know this is a scene replayed all too often with tears that do not cease, with arms that go empty missing the enthusiastic reception and cuddles that came no matter how short a time you've been away.

There's the absence of that special soul with whom doing nothing is perhaps even more noticeable than doing something, whether it's a walk, a trip to the dog park or a weekend to hang out with your out-of-town family, where the kids play with your affectionate pup - the pup they adore.

Kids who won't understand why he can't ever visit them again.





Rest in peace and play your heart out in heaven, little guy.

The down side of being a director

It's said that 90% of the director's job is choosing the right cast.

This is not as simple as it sounds. There are all sorts of casting obstacles for good actors, not the least of which are their schedules.

But if it turns out the way we want, it makes a huge difference in the life of a film.

Casting just the right folks and working with a kick ass crew found by our producers (ultimately chosen by me, but they seek the candidates) comes a close second.

In the case of THE WHOLE TRUTH cast and crew all came together just as they should have, just as I wanted. Knock wood, say a prayer of thanks, light a candle, rub Ho Tai's tummy and head.

But then here comes the down side:

With only five days of shooting left, after being in "shooting battle" shoulder to shoulder with these wonderful folks, their families and pets for 5 weeks, it's coming to an end.

It's like being a parent. You know the kids of whom you are so proud and love so much have to go on their merry way to excel and create even more happiness in their lives (although I hope to work with most of them again and soon), but it is still pretty heartbreaking.

Thus, Heart Break Productionz.

Such marvelous folks, such extraordinary talent, skill, support and collaboration. I'm going to miss them so much. I have such respect and affection for them. I can't imagine not seeing them as I go to work every morning.

After my short vacation, editor Stephen Myers will be here in Seattle editing the film with me for about a month of dedicated toil. The film should be locked Dec. 15, then the music and sound sweetening will be added, completely finishing the film about Jan 30 because of the holiday break. At which time, we'll fill out the film's website with all sorts of goodies and great stuff.

During that time, I'll also be finessing the script for THE LONELY GOATHERD, which we should have mapped out for production by the middle or end of next Month.

What a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving. As for me, my personal Thanksgiving will be spent soaking in every moment I have left to be in the company of such magnificence that is the crew and cast of THE WHOLE TRUTH and of course enjoying our wrap party the night after we wrap.

And looking forward to seeing almost everyone again on the sets and locations of THE LONELY GOATHERD. Two of our major THE WHOLE TRUTH cast members are already cast in THE LONELY GOATHERD, and in distinctly different types of roles, so it will be another hoot and a half!

I can harldly wait.

Until then, my only focus is devoted to the last few days of shooting THE WHOLE TRUTH, capturing scenes and action that complete the moving massive jigsaw that is the puzzle of creating a motion picture.