Three Classic Celebrity Pooches That Have Captured Our Hearts

These three movie star dogs have left an everlasting paw print on the collective American heart. Truly man’s best friend, these three canines especially exemplify the special bond between human and animal, gaining just as much, or more, celebrity as their human counterparts. Though their dog days have long passed (all dogs go to heaven), the magnanimity of their roles in our lives is safely captured in the time capsule of film for newer generations to appreciate.

1. Rin Tin Tin: Although this famous German Shepherd is now a distant memory for most of us, acting during the long-ago 1920s and 1930s, the reason why his name still triggers some sort of recognition among even the youngest moviegoers nearly a century later is because he has truly gone down in history as the most famous and most lovable pooch of all time. During a time when the country was struggling through war and economic depression, Rin Tin Tin easily claimed the hearts of Americans for his simple valiance, courage and honor. Through the silver screen, he became the best friend of countless audience members, and was the actual best friend of a World War I veteran, Corporal Lee Duncan, who saved him and his sister from starvation when he found them as puppies in an abandoned German station during the war.

   From that moment on, they never parted, and Rin Tin Tin went on to star in 26 full-length Hollywood films for the then-plummeting Warner Brothers Studio. Appearing in films such as Clash of the Wolves, A Dog of the Regiment and Jaws of Steel, Rin Tin Tin played no small part in keeping the flailing studio afloat, and his popularity saw no end. His sons and daughters have continued his legacy, and Susan Orlean, a journalist for The New Yorker, has recently recognized the place of Rin Tin Tin in American cinematic history with her compelling and insightful book called Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend. An NPR review says, “Orlean proposes that dogs aren’t merely the furry friends we keep around and toss tennis balls to — they represent the best things we are, and the best things we can be.”

2. Lassie: Lassie is the collie that everyone loves, the dog famously known for alerting Timmy, her boy owner, about the danger down at the well. “What is it, Lassie?” Timmy asks, and Lassie responds by barking and motioning at him to follow her. This kind of determination, loyalty and simple good will has made Lassie another household name that’s lasted for more than a half century, coming to represent the magical bond between a child and his pet. Originally played by a rambunctious, energetic dog named Pal, Lassie is a fictional character first created by Eric Knight for a short story segment in the Saturday Evening Post. Pal starred as Lassie in the classic 1943 film Lassie Come Home, and it was so well-received that a radio show, and then the well-known TV show, Lassie, followed. The show ran for a stupendous 19 seasons, airing 691 episodes in over 100 countries.
3. Old Yeller: The classic 1957 film Old Yeller may be the biggest canine tearjerker to ever have been made. The story is set in the 1860s and follows a young boy named Travis Coates who is looking after the family ranch while his parents are away. One day a yellow mongrel dog appears on his land, and Travis reluctantly adopts him. They quickly grow to be friends, Old Yeller proving his intelligence and courage by winning fights with wild animals, but sadly, the union cannot last. Spike, the dog who played Old Yeller, cemented his place in American hearts through this, his only film, in which he gave a truly transformative performance. Rather than including a spoiler alert, this review will just note that watching Old Yeller is a great way to appreciate modern science and technology, especially the advances that have been made in the veterinary world.  A veterinary technician can play a crucial role in protecting, healing and looking out for our beloved pets. Spike, the dog actor who played Old Yeller, was a rescue dog, nursed back to health by his own specialized team of vets after being picked up from the Van Nuys Animal Shelter by his trainer, Frank Weatherwax. A large and awkward dog with floppy ears, he went on, against stacked odds, to play one of the most heart wrenching roles in film history, and was buried at sea.

Though these three dogs have gained the kind of international fame usually reserved for human movie stars, they are just as important, loveable and pure of heart as your own cherished canine.  Maybe the reason why we love them so much is because they never meant to become internationally renowned; they just wanted to be a good dog.

Nancy Woo is a freelance writer covering various topics from art and music to health, media and technology.