Monday, February 23, 2009

All Dogs Go to Heaven - The Series: Friends to the Rescue

After retrieving Gabriel's Horn in the 1996 movie, All Dogs Go To Heaven 2, the irrepressible German shepherd Charlie Barkin and his loyal dachsund sidekick, Itchy Itchiford, are not interested in returning to heaven; rather, they continue their canine adventures on Earth in MGM Animation's television series of the same name, which aired from 1996-1999. Both the movie sequel and television series are loosely based on Don Bluth's 1989 film, All Dogs Go To Heaven, though Bluth was not involved in these spinoff projects and the only returnee from the original film is Dom DeLuise (again voicing the part of Itchy). Set in present day San Francisco, the television series includes many of the characters from the film sequel, though Charlie and Sasha are now mostly friends, Charlie and Itchy live as bachelors, and Carface plays a lesser role. "Friends to the Rescue" is a DVD compilation of four 22-minute episodes from the show's first season, following the escapades of Charlie and Itchy as newly inducted guardian angels, assigned various "missions" by the watchful whippet archangel, Anabelle. Many of the voiceovers will be familiar including Sheena Easton (Sasha), Bebe Neuwirth (Annabelle), and Ernest Borgnine (Carface). The newcomer to the cast is Steven Weber who lends his voice as Charlie in a lineup of palatable (if not mildly bland) storylines offering tidy lessons in friendship and kindness. The best of the bunch is the humorous "Cyrano de Barkinac" when Itchy falls for a lovely pooch name Bess and enlists the help of "Charlie's Charm School" to win her favor. While Bluth's original film explored themes of crime, death, betrayal, and heaven in an artistically quirky musical format, these tales are straightforward Saturday morning fare reminiscent of Disney's Aristocats. --Lynn Gibson
Customer Review: All Dogs Go To Heaven: The Series
Great movie. A winner for fans of the original "All Dogs Go To Heaven" movies. My 8 yr old actually likes the television series like this better than the full-length movie. I agree. Great stories and charming characters. A must to have for families.


Dog grooming is an important time for both you and your dog - you should both enjoy the experience, you have a chance to increase the bond between you and it is a necessary part of maintaining the good health of your faithful companion. Pets need their human to care for them and they enjoy spending time with you.

The breed of your dog and the type of coat he has will determine how often he needs brushing and bathing. A short haired dog needs brushing twice a week to remove loose hair; a longer haired dog will need daily brushing to prevent matting of the coat. Grooming is a good time to check for any irregularities in the skin or the dog's condition, and if you find any problems contact your vet. Finding and treating symptoms early can be important.

When brushing you dog, always brush the same direction as the coat grows. Use proper grooming tools that are suited to the type of coat your dog has. If there are tangles, work from the edge of the tangle to gradually free the hair. Be careful on the tummy because dogs are very sensitive there and also on their ears. Frequent brushing keeps your dog looking shiny and healthy and you will proud to take him out for walks.

Some long haired dogs with a heavy undercoat will need to be combed after brushing, to remove dead fur which will matt if not kept under control. Water dogs, some gun dogs and dogs bred for cold climates are in this category. Use a comb in the same manner as a brush and make sure you have the correct tool for the job. Be gentle as combs can pull the skin.

Nail clipping is another important part of dog grooming. Nails that grow too long can cause foot problems. It can be a stressful activity for some dogs so it is helpful to start when your dog is still a puppy. Clip the nails often with dog nail clippers and take only the tip off each time to avoid injury.

Dogs have no way of keeping clean and so need a regular bath. Use warm water and a dog shampoo for bathing and make sure you have brushed him before the bath, as tangles are made worse by water. It is important to dry him well, especially around the chest and tummy, and taking him for a brisk walk is a great way to dry him off and reward him for his good behavior during his bath. Bath time is a good time to clean the dog's ears - use a cotton tip dipped in alcohol and clean around the parts of the ear that you can see. Never push into the ear canal.

Get more dog grooming tips as well as tips on dog care and dog training at http://www.greatdogsforpets.com

dog food