Nothing tugs at the heartstrings quite like a movie about a lost dog. Add to the mix the fact new Netflix film Dog Gone is based on a true story and you’ve got the recipe for a bucketful of tears.
The latest flick from the streaming site hit the platform on Friday, January 13, 2023 and follows the unlikely story of a beloved family pet.
John Marshall (Rob Lowe) and his son Fielding (Johnny Berchtold) team up to trek across the Appalachian Trail in search of their missing dog, Gonker. To make matters worse, the pair only have two weeks to find Gonker as he desperately needs his medication.
With the support and much-needed help of family and a great many strangers, the father-and-son duo embark on an unbelievable mission.
The true story of Dog Gone is just as emotional. Directed by Stephen Herek, the majority of the film draws from the actual story of Gonker and his intense real-life adventure.
The true story behind Dog Gone
Dog Gone is based on a book by Pauls Toutonghi. Pauls is the brother-in-law of Marshall, the protagonist of the book.
Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey And The Family Who Brought Him Home tells the charming tale of Fielding Marshall and his dog Gonker, who went missing along the Appalachian trail in October 1998. When the pooch first ran off, Marshall searched but failed to find his beloved dog anywhere.
Of course, panic set in. Gonker suffered from Addison’s disease, which meant he had to receive an injection every month to stay alive. Naturally, this made the quest to find him all the more vital, as the book (and film) details.
As Gonker only had two weeks before his next injection was due, time really was against them.
The story spread through local media and the quest gained the attention of many. The tragic tale highlights the importance of kindness as it recounts all the strangers who helped Marshall and his dad along the way.
Only real difference between the book and the film
The good boy that plays Gonker in the film is a yellow Labrador retriever. However, in real life Marshall’s dog was a golden retriever mix.
Labradors tend to be much heavier than golden retrievers and possess a broader chest. Aside from that and a difference in coat length, there isn’t much difference between the breeds in appearance.
The real star of Dog Gone
Rob Lowe shared an adorable picture with his fluffy co-star on Twitter. The actor even went so far as to say Dog Gone could be the “feel good movie of the year”:
Viewers have already taken to Twitter to show their appreciation for Netflix’s latest flick, paying attention to more than just Gonker’s cuteness.
It appears that of everything going on in Dog Gone, some fans only have eyes for Rob Lowe. Or is it the amazing scenery?
