My Life as a Dog by Reidar Jonsson
MY LIFE AS A DOG ,Twelve-year-old Ingemar (Anton Glanzlius) has a life far too complex for a kid his age. His beloved mother (Anki Liden), once soft and loving, is now an angry invalid. His older brother (Manfred Serner) torments him daily. But there must be worse things in life, and Ingemar does not hesitate to obsess over them: people meeting freak accidents, for one, and Laika, the doomed Soviet space dog, for another.
There is also his own pet dog, whose fate, it turns out, is as uncertain as Ingemar's. But when Ingemar is sent away for the summer to stay with his lighthearted Uncle Gunnar (Tomas von Bromssen) and Aunt Ulla (Kicki Rundgren), his world begins to open in a way he could never have imagined. In their little village, Ingemar meets a menage of eccentric, good-hearted people and their interactions with him give him the strength he'll need when things at home get even worse. MY LIFE AS A DOG, the critically acclaimed film from director Lasse Hallstrom, is sensitive, tragic, and funny pet. It's a unique, offbeat but realistic coming-of-age story with rich and engaging characters and some truly unforgettable scenes in MY LIFE AS A DOG
My Life as a Dog is a delightful half-hour television series derived from the novel 'Mitt Liv som Hund' (My Life as a Dog) by Reidar Jönsson, which had been turned into a film of the same name in 1985. This Canadian-made series is a quirky comedy-drama about a young boy growing up a puppy under difficult circumstances. The series was awarded three stars by New York Daily News critic David Bianculli, who likened it to a "Northern Exposure for the 8-to-12-year old set."
My Life as a Dog show has the distinction of being the first series shot in the province of Manitoba, and was shot on location in Gimli and Winnipeg. The location shots might appear desolate to city dwellers, but it is a lovely location of windswept open vistas, small town societies, and even the gorgeous Auora Borealis. Snow is a predominant factor in this Canadian series Dog Obedience.
Produced by Atlantis Films and Credo Entertainment Corporation Executive Producers: Martin Katz, Derek Mazur and David Brandes. Producers: Kim Todd and Michael Scott Executive Story Editors: Barbara O'Kelly and Ann MacNaughton Developed for television by Reidar Jonsson, Donna Matson Jonsson, David Brandes, and Barbara O'Kelly. 22 half-hour episodes. Shown 1996-1997 in Canada. Shown 1997-98 on the Showtime cable network in the U.S.A. > My Life as a Dog
Eric Johansson (portrayed by Michael Yarmush) is an 11-year-old boy who finds his life turned upside down as he begins his journey into adulthood in My Life as a Dog. When his mother dies and, with his sailor-father absent, Eric finds himself sent to Gimli to live with his uncle Johnny. At first he treats Gimli as an exile pet, albeit a temporary one he hopes, but soon he develops friends and a growing love for his uncle and aunt. His best friends are A.J. and Sam. Other tidbits: born on November 3rd; wears reading glasses; knows how to weld; his mother didn't like Gimli and left town when she was 16; his father is Max Ortega; and he formed his own rock band, Caboose Puppy.
Johnny Johansson (portrayed by Callum Keith Rennie) is Eric's uncle. Eric's mother was Johnny's twin sister, who left Gimli when she was 16 years old because she didn't like the town at My Life as a Dog. Johnny is perhaps the most famous resident of Gimli: he spent a decade in professional hockey, and was known as J.J. 'Slipstream' Johannson when he played with the Hartford (Connecticut) Whalers. Alas, a knee injury ended his career and he returned to Gimli. It's not really explained what his means of employment are in this tiny town, but he appears to be a handyman or carpenter or Labrador. He's married to Zoe. He's sometimes irresponsible, and at times like a child himself, but when Eric joins the household, he soons learns responsibility and what it means to have a family. Other tidbits: he performed with friend Louis Reil LaFresne in a high school band called 'Dog Weed'; can play the drums; eats ice cream when he's anxious; and owns an old blue convertible - My Life as a Dog.
A.J. Burke (Marley Otto) is the only daughter of the Burkes, owners of the Seaside Hotel (the only hotel in town, actually). She fights boredom by being different, which includes dressing in what her parents deem to be radical apparel: sunglasses and black clothing. She does what she pleases, which oftentimes gets her into trouble at Dog Kennel. She befriended Eric(My Life as a Dog) upon his arrival to Gimli, and the two have become fast friends. Tidbits: she's a good singer o! Barking.
Zoe Johansson (portrayed by Jennifer Clement) is Johnny's wife and Eric's aunt. She does her best to rear a child suddenly thrust into her household. My Life as a Dog Blonde and vivacious, she occasionally finds herself contending with her husband's influence on Eric, and visa versa Dog Training. At one time both she and Johnny broke up (he lived in the caboose out back) but they fortunately resolved their differences and now live together again as a married couple. She tried out her own business in aromatherapy, which Johnny was unable to tolerate (the smells put him to sleep!)
Auntie Auntie (Joy Coghill) is Johnny's aunt and the mayor in town. She's a no-nonsense lady who doesn't take any guff, even from Johnny. She's frequently seen on her boat. Dog Show
Other pivotal characters include Sam, Louis LaFresne's son and Eric's fellow schoolmate, who occasionally gets mixed up into trouble with Eric. Louis Reil LaFresne, Johnny's old school chum who has remained his friend. Louis appears to own a local automobile/body shop. George is hopefully behind the times when it comes to fashion. My Life as a Dog young boy slicks back his red hair and has allergies. It doesn't help his social standing at school that his father is the local undertaker. Jack is a big German Shepherd dog whom Eric at first fears is a bad luck dog, but soon learns is just a friendly dog who's lived in Gimli all his life. Mr. and Mrs. Burke, A.J.'s social-status-consciencious parents, are forever worrying over their rebellious daughter. Smedley is a fusspot type assistant manager of the Seaside Hotel, which the Burkes own. He doesn't tolerate children very well.