“pick of the litter” movie review

Service dogs always make me cry — what these dogs do for their people is nothing short of heroic — so I knew I would be a mess during Pick of the Litter.

This moving documentary follows a litter of puppies literally from birth as they begin their journey toward becoming guide dogs for the blind.

It would be enough to just watch these labs for an hour and a half, but we actually get to see them grow up, go through training and win the hearts of everyone with whom they come in contact over the arduous two year process.

Being a puppy raiser is apparently not for the weak-hearted, and to the filmmakers’ credit, they don’t sugarcoat the responsibilities. They show us the heartbreaks and disappointments of well-intentioned foster “parents” whose dogs end up being transferred to “fixers” better equipped to deal with issues like mouthiness or disobedience, or whose dogs are simply deemed unsuited to the job and are “career-changed.”

And, even if their dogs are superstars, they still have to give them up at the end of the foster period, which is, of course, bittersweet.

Although this all seems harsh at times, we’re reminded of why these dogs must be pretty perfect by the people who rely on them. They share emotional stories about their dogs saving them from cars and stairs, and one who even walked his owner down from the 78th floor the World Trade Center on 9/11.

It is impossible not to be moved by the human-canine bond, and what these dogs are willing to do for the person holding their leash.

Watching a blindfolded trainer teach and test the dogs by walking and crossing streets with them, it’s amazing that any of them pass. This is really hard work, and it’s no wonder such a small percentage of applicants are actually able to be matched with a guide dog.

When someone actually does get the call to come and meet their life-changing new companion, the anticipation is palpable. Watching the dogs greet their people for the first time with happy, sloppy kisses is joyful and sob-inducing. It’s like the dogs just know.

It’s fascinating to see the different personalities start emerging, and guess which ones will actually make it all the way through the program. I loved rooting for Patriot, Potomac, Primrose, Poppet and Phil to fulfill their individual destiny — whatever that means for them.

Go see the movie, and make a donation to Guide Dogs for the Blind. In these challenging times, puppies are always the answer.