Ferricus, I Am

My cousin Hannah, is quite the movie aficionado.  She is one of the few canines I know, who actually pays attention and engages in a movie.  Like me, she’s open to all kinds of films; drama, comedy, action and science fiction.  Note:  Neither of us appreciates foreign films, unless dubbed, as our reading skills are slightly lacking.  (Us dogs who can read, do so very slowly.)

Hannah has been obsessed with one particular movie of late; Lassie (not the original, the 1994 remake).   She likes to view her prized dvd while lounging on her humans’ bed, her head hanging over the edge.  She gets as close as she can to the television, without falling off the bed.  Hannah’s favorite part of the movie, which she has been talking about incessantly, is when Lassie plays in a field with sheep.

You see, Hannah is an Australian Shepherd, and, innately, she yearns to corral sheep.  So, the scenes of Lassie frolicking with a herd of sheep, is delicious torture for Hannah.   She barks at the TV, directing Lassie in how to better herd those little mutton chops, and, every time, she gets frustrated that Lassie continues with his unsuccessful patterns.

I spent an afternoon with Hannah last week, and tried to explain to her that movies are permanent, and eternally destined to play the same story, the same way.  Although Hannah is bright in some regards, she has a disconnect when it comes to the concept of film, and technology in general.

I, myself, enjoy the repetition and consistency that a movie brings.  There are certain movies I can watch repeatedly, and never tire of them.  For obvious reasons, I can watch To Kill a Mockingbird over and over again.  I think that my namesake and I have many similar personality traits, with the exception of one.  Atticus Finch and I are both dedicated, fair, respectable, and, dare I say, brilliant.  But Scout’s dad is also stoic, and, primarily, a serious man.  This is where we differ.

In addition to the highbrow qualities that I possess, I am also playful, silly, often mischievous, fun-loving and spontaneous.   Sort of like a canine Ferris Bueller, but with more dignity.  Maybe my stage name should be Ferricus.  Or, better yet, I’ll use that as my secret, superhero nom.  Don’t panic folks, Ferricus will rescue you!  Yes, I like it very much.

Other flicks I watch repeatedly, and love every viewing, include:  all Harry Potter installments (but Harry needs to ditch the owl in favor of a dog, at some point), Breaking Away (I love the friendships and their ferocious tenacity), Dogma (I mistakenly thought it was about dogs, but no—it’s much better!), and, for mama, anything with that bloke Clive Owen.

What are some of your favorite movies?  You know, the ones you can watch a hundred times and still adore…

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