The film industry awards season is here, and yet again there has been a miscarriage of justice. Another year has passed, and still, pooches aren’t getting the attention they deserve!
Movies are just better with dogs, and they should be honored. So, before another year passes, let’s celebrate those canines who’ve captured our hearts on the silver screen.
Here are five new Academy Awards for canines and the dogs who deserve to win those Oscars for their performances in movies!
1. The ‘Lifetime Achievement Dog Award’ Goes To: Toto From The Wizard of Oz
In 1939, Toto was played by a female brindle Cairn Terrier named Terry. She got paid $125 a week to play the role, which was, in fact, slightly more than some of the human actors on set.
Considering Terry had a co-starring role, the big paycheck might not be too surprising. Dorothy needs Toto, and Toto makes that movie!
Terry the Terrier appeared in 13 films, her first being 1934’s Bright Eyes opposite Shirley Temple.
Due to the incredible popularity of Terry’s role in The Wizard of Oz, her human officially changed the actor dog’s name to Toto. There is a permanent memorial to her in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Toto/Terry’s resume is vast; she is one of the most iconic dogs of all time and should win the Lifetime Achievement Dog Oscar.
2. The ‘International Movie Dog Award’ Goes To: Red Dog From Red Dog
Red Dog of Pilbara was a real-life Kelpie Cattle Dog with a series of owners and was well known for travelling all over Australia.
Two books, published in 1983 and 1993, documented the incredible, true story of Red Dog, and a feature film released in 2011 finally told the story on the big screen. The film captures the spirit of a dog who transforms a sleepy mining town in Outback Australia and only serves to grow the legend of Red Dog.
For this reason we believe that Red Dog has earned consideration for the first International Movie Dog Award.
3. The ‘Retrospective 90s Iconic Dog Award’ Goes To: Buddy From Air Bud
Buddy the Golden Retriever jumped to fame on the set of TV’s Full House as Comet. Amazingly, Buddy’s human, Kevin DiCicco, found the pup in the Sierra Nevada and adopted him.
Prior to appearing in the Hollywood blockbuster Air Bud (1997), Buddy was a regular on The David Letterman Show and also appeared on Funniest Home Videos. In 1998 and 1999, Buddy got the nomination for a Kids Choice Award for Favorite Animal Star. Sadly, he did not win.
As a result, we think it’s only fair that we retrospectively award Buddy the Oscar he so richly deserves, while we all celebrate by re-watching his greatest work, Air Bud!
4. The ‘Larger Than Life Dog Award’ Goes To: Beethoven From Beethoven
Did you know in 2010 Beethoven was voted Best Dog Film on IMDB? The film is about a two-year-old, purebred Saint Bernard, named after the famous composer.
In real life, the original actor dog’s name was Chris. But in fact, eight other Saint Bernards worked as stand-ins and 16 puppies played Beethoven the dog as he grew up on screen.
Chris went on to act again in Beethoven 2 before retiring to live out a long life on a farm with his human, Teresa Miller, and the Miller family. Ultimately, Beethoven went on to spawn four sequels and three stand-alone spin-offs.
While Chris only acted in the first two movies, he did launch the Beethoven franchise. And for this, he should win the Larger Than Life Dog Award.
5. The ‘Best Animated Dog Award’ Goes To: Dug From Up
It isn’t possible to have an awards ceremony without acknowledging the incredible work of digital animators. In Disney Pixar’s animated film Up, Dug is a Golden Retriever who belonged to explorer Charles Muntz and loves getting distracted by squirrels.
And as an extra tidbit, did you know that you can see Dug’s shadow in the movie Ratatouille as Remy the rat runs through an apartment? No? Try to pause at just the right moment and spot him! You’re welcome.
Dug went on to appear in two further digital shorts, “Dug’s Special Mission” and “George & A.J.” Dug, you captured our hearts and deserve to win Best Animated Dog!
Which other Academy Awards should exist for dogs? Who else do you think should be on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Sam Robinson hosts a radio show on Hope 103.2 in Sydney, Australia. Tune in to Breakfast with Sam Robinson every weekday, 5:30am to 9am, for a positive start to your day!
