Netflix is launching its annual lineup of original Christmas movies with A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, an endearing new holiday film from the author of A Dog’s Purpose. The movie began streaming today.
Directed by Cathryn Michon and written by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Perfect Christmas is based on Cameron’s novel of the same name. Cameron also wrote the 2010 novel A Dog’s Purpose and its subsequent film adaptation. The movie stars Dennis Quaid as Sander, an aging widower who is still mourning the loss of his wife. Sander lives with his son, Hunter (Milo Ventimiglia), Hunter’s family, and his elderly basset hound, Winstead (voiced by Thomas Haden Church). Winstead serves as the narrator and is thrilled that “Merry Christmas Time”—the happiest season of the year—has arrived.
For Hunter’s family, however, the holiday spirit proves difficult to find at first. Hunter’s wife, Julianna (Kathleen Rose Perkins), is rushed to the hospital after developing a worrying health problem. With help from Winstead and a new four-legged companion, the family eventually finds a way to bring joy back to Christmas.
Hollywood has a long history of making audiences cry, particularly with movies centered on lovable dogs. So before watching this film, many viewers will likely have one question: “Does the dog die?” Here’s the answer for anyone wondering whether a dog dies in A Dog’s Perfect Christmas.
Does the dog die in A Dog’s Perfect Christmas on Netflix?
Here’s the short answer: No, the dog does not die in A Dog’s Perfect Christmas. In fact, neither of the movie’s two dogs dies. One is Winstead, the elderly hound voiced by Thomas Haden Church. The other is Ruby, a corgi puppy adopted by Ello (Brooke Lena Johnson), the family’s oldest daughter.
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By the end of the movie, both dogs are alive, healthy, and happy. There is one tense moment when Ruby runs from a car into a parking lot and nearly gets struck by another vehicle. For a brief moment, it seems the story might take a heartbreaking turn, but the approaching car stops just in time. Ruby is frightened and shaken, but she is completely unharmed.
Still, it’s hard not to feel for the dog actor involved in that frightening almost-accident. Hopefully, the production relied on plenty of movie magic and kept the car safely away from the corgi.
Viewers concerned about Winstead because of his age can also relax. The elderly hound does not experience a health scare in the film. Netflix knows audiences turn to its Christmas movies for comfort rather than heartbreak, so A Dog’s Perfect Christmas can be watched without worrying about either dog.
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.