Puppy Love (I) (2023) User Reviews

The Feel Good Movie of the Year!

[dorothy-12-358969 · 10/10 · 28 June 2023]

Success! The dogs win!

There are dog heroes and human heroes in this fine film and you can't help but root for them all.

Life and death challenges lay the ground work for for high stakes decision making. Personal commitment is tested and re-tested by a cadre of pet lovers. Gail Gilbert and her team of doggie whisperers defy the medical establishment's advice and make life possible for these adorable puppies. Impossibly, the dogs thrive and the women committed to their recovery are energized by the dog's great success. Don't miss this heartwarming documentary of love and commitment in the face of impossible challenge!

good dogs and better people

[ferguson-6 · 8/10 · 23 October 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. "What a good boy!" That's something every (boy) dog owner has said a thousand times ... but probably not like what we see here. Director Gail Gilbert brings us a story that will tear at the heartstrings of every pet owner, and likely any viewer with a heartstring to tear. An Illinois breeder named Cindy welcomed what was to be her final litter of pure-bred Labrador Retrievers. The pups were beautiful, and everything was fine ... right up until it wasn't.

After only a few weeks, the male pups were stricken with paralysis of their legs and voice. The affliction had no effect on the two female pups, and whatever caused it was a mystery. A local veterinarian could only guess whether it was related to the vaccinations, a virus, a parasite, genetics, or some other cause. The recommendation was euthanasia. But Cindy was not ready to give up. She took back the pups and was joined by a trainer and some other gold-hearted animal lovers. Rather than put them down, these women worked with the pups daily. Therapy and massages and nutrition became standard daily rituals. Their courage and determination was remarkable since no one could even tell them what was wrong and if their efforts stood any chance of helping the pups.

The reality was, many people questioned why they would work so hard for "defective" dogs. But then around 10 weeks, most of the pups began showing signs of improvement. The daily feedings by syringe, and then bottle, began to take on a more normal feeding process. And the pups' legs began to get stronger - some were even able to stand, if a bit wobbly. It was like watching a slow miracle occur ... a miracle that required an enormous amount of work and attention and love.

At times, this had the look of a M*A*S*H unit, minus the surgery. It's truly shocking to see the pups go from little furry blobs sunning in the grass to what we see by the end of the film. In fact, the saddest part of the film comes not from the pups, but rather from people. Of course, anyone watching the film will fall for these pups, but we also have full admiration for those who used their optimistic and determined approach to make a difference. It's been said that 'love cures all things", and while "all things" may be a stretch, certainly these puppies are beneficiaries.

Available On Demand and on digital platforms beginning October 24, 2023.

Puppy Love Grabs Your Heart

[greggreenfilm · 28 June 2023]

I'm not a dog person, but I am one now. Gail Gilbert, director and editor of this documentary takes us on an unimaginable journey - a journey that perhaps not all of us would take. This sweet documentary shows what love can really do. Wow. This group of professionals and dog lovers would not take 'no' for an answer. They were simply not going to give up. I was engaged from the get-go with these adorable puppies that have incredible challenges. I kept asking myself how far would I go to help these puppies. The group of dog lovers featured in this documentary go to the ends of the earth to help them. Worth your time.