I know, I know, the Hotel for Dogs DVD came out last Tuesday, April 28th, but I could never get a hold of a copy. Last night, I finally got one.

I’m assuming that because I couldn’t get my mitts on a copy meant that everyone else in my neighborhood enjoyed it as much as I did! Sometimes dog movies get a little shall-we-say cheesy, but I thought this friendly movie was very entertaining.

It’s a sweet story of family, friends, determination, and ultimately saving dogs. Andi and her younger brother are trouble makers with a cause, living in foster home after foster home, just trying to have a “true family” for themselves and their dog Friday. They end up finding a family through saving the lives of stray dogs, and taking care of them in an abandoned hotel that they fix up into a doggie dreamland. Throughout the story, Andi and Bruce show the importance of sticking together and remembering your dreams. 

The simple and whimsical story of saving the dogs had so much more to it. The theme of abandonment-to-acceptance shines in the stories of both the dogs and the children. There are even a few little love stories woven in. The most pleasing part was that the hotel became a safe haven for everyone, and even a fun place to be with friends. Without spoiling too much, the kids and the dogs find their “true” family, and the Hotel for Dogs flourishes.

The movie had a higher budget than that of most “dog movies”, and it showed. First of all, none of the dogs talk, so it is a somewhat believable storyline. It was a quality film, with lots of attention to detail. Bruce, Andi’s younger brother is quite the inventor, and he creates contraptions and machines that help the dogs to do everything on their own, from playing to potty time. The clever designs are given proper attention, and I think many children can relate to the whimsical dreams of these machines. The many dogs are given attention in the story with individual personalities that seem to closely match their breeds.

It’s a fun story for adults, and kids will love the silliness of the dogs and the “do good” attitude of the human characters. It makes you want to gather up all the abandoned and stray dogs in your town and take them in and make them a part your family.

Go find yourself a copy of the Hotel for Dogs DVD, sit down with your whole family (including your pup), and enjoy!