April 12, 2013

White Dog and Steve chose the movie, The Desolation of Smaug, the second part of Peter Jackson's trilogy of The Hobbit by JRRTolkien. We had not had a family movie night in what Puff estimated to be thirty-seven years and we deserved a night of escapist entertainment (or so I was told by Taiko).

We made two big bowls of popcorn so every pup could share. I always laugh at this as we go to such great lengths to remove corn from the diets of The White Dog Army...but as WD explained movie theater style popcorn the way Steve makes it (with real butter and a hint of sea salt) is a Universal treat served since ancient times. I totally do NOT believe her, but long ago made peace with the idea of "all things in moderation."

The two bowls allow half of the WDA to cluster around Steve and the others to sit at my side. The alignment changes and shifts (WD captaining from the bed) but we all share and are all ultimately grateful for the convenient dispensers and the big glasses of water that Steve always remembers to bring along with the napkins.

Quickly, the White Dogs jumped into the movie's action curling their lips and making growling noises at the Orcs and Orc hounds chasing the heroes. They cheered when the band found safety and protection from an enemy that turned out to be a friend. And they jumped up barking a warning to Bilbo about the giant spider behind him (too bad he did not hear them)!

By then the popcorn was gone and the action slowed to allow for character development. White Dog eyes began to grow heavy and close.

I am not sure how the WDA knew in their sleep but all were awake and alert to warn the Master Thief about the HUGE dragon eye slowly opening as Smaug awakened to find his lair had been breached. The WDA is certain if THEY had been there the battle would have gone differently!

But we won't spoil the movie for you! Even though this Hobbit is not totally true to Tolkien's book, Peter Jackson's expansion is credible and well-done. Family movie night at White Dog Ranch was everything it ought to be--popcorn, reasons to cheer, spookiness, bad guys you want to tear apart and good guys that have you barking encouragement at!