Educational Media Reviews Online

Following her own rottweiler’s diagnosis with osteosarcoma, a common form of bone cancer in large breed dogs, filmmaker Angie Ruiz set out to share her family’s experience with canine cancer alongside those of others in the hope that she could help pet owners make informed decisions about their companions’ health. The resulting documentary, Forever Faithful, is a well-focused introduction to the treatment options and quality of life measures available to dog owners facing a similar experience with their pets.

The structure follows a measured blend of information and personal experience. Veterinarians and other experts explain the scientific aspects of cancer treatments, prosthetics, and post-surgical concerns in ways that are effective for communicating with a lay audience. Dog owners are also featured to describe their decision-making processes and offer observations on how their pets fare in recovery. The insights of both groups are valuable and varied, creating a cohesive film that fulfills its goal of assisting dog owners and fostering awareness of developments in canine cancer research.

In spite of Forever Faithful’s informative aspects, the film frequently lapses into heavy-handed sentimentality. While this is expected and appropriate to some degree given the film’s overall intent, it can also be off-putting at others. Angie Ruiz films her toddler daughter while giving her unsettling news about their dog. “The vet said we might have to take one leg away.” she says, as if trying to elicit a reaction emotional enough for the film. A particularly mawkish interview with a dog owner offers the line, “I feel that if people could be more like dogs we would have a much more peaceful society.” People feel emotional about their pets, yes, but the film seems all too ready to portray those emotions in a manner that’s as saccharine as possible.

Forever Faithful is recommended for public libraries because of its value in educating pet owners about the range of treatment options for canine cancer, as well as post-treatment quality of life. However, its value in classroom settings is less readily apparent and academic libraries would likely find it an awkward addition to the collection.

Awards:

Idyllwild 2018 - Best Documentary Short or Featurette; Idyllwild 2018 - Mary Austin Award - Excellence in Directing Documentary