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  11/25/02 Ros <myshirose@msn.com> Dogs are amazing animals. When I was a child, our family had gone to visit friends one weekend. They owned a German Shorthaired Pointer, and a German Shepard named "Stormy". Stormy got her name because she showed up on their door step one night, in a pouring rain storm. I learned years later she also had vanished one night, in a storm, never to be seen again. Well, the two families were in the back yard. We children playing with the dogs. I had decided to go take a stroll down the country road the family lived on. I had been told about thier neighbor, a man who owned a vicious dog, and not to go near his place. The dog was tied out on a chain that day, in his yard. I had walked past the house, and was just passing by the front of our friend's home. Suddenly I heard something running toward me. I turned to see the neighbor's dog had broken free of it's chain, and was running across the front yard, toward me. I could see the dog was running full speed, and growling, and had it's t eeth showing ready to attack me. I starting running as fast as I could, and from deep in my soul, came a blood curdling scream. It just burst out of me, from sheer fright. I looked over my shoulder, as I was running and could see the dog was almost to my heels. Then I looked up, and there running across the yard were our friend's two dogs. They had heard my scream, and had come running. They saw the neighbor's dog chasing after me, and the two dogs ran as fast as they could to protect me. They attacked the dog, and fought with him, giving me time to run to the back yard, and get help. My parents, and our friend's had heard my scream, and saw their dogs take off running around the house. They heard the dogs fighting. They managed to call their dogs, and they came running back to the house. Everyone was amazed, especially me. I couldn't believe that my friend's dogs had just come to my rescue, and had saved my life. I couldn't believe that two dogs, that didn't even belong to me, wou ld risk thier lives to come to my rescue, but they did. I was so thankful, I hugged them for the longest time. I never forgot what amazing animals they were, to have saved me. I learned a few years later, that the neighbors dog had escaped again, and this time it had won the fight, killing our friend's German Shorthaired Pointer. It broke my heart, I'm sure the Pointer had put up a couragous fight. I cried at his loss. I would never forget what the two dogs had done for me. To this day I have a special bond with all animals I come in contact with, they trust me right away, and know I'm an animal person. It's a gift, and they are a gift to me.... 11/25/02 Becky Johnson This is by far one of the best films I have ever seen. Had I a tail it would be thumping the couch. I would even lick myself for the sheer pleasure of it. I may go take myself for a walk. 2 paws up and a tummy rub. I'm buying this tape right now and making the cats watch it. 11/13/02 Andrew Tatham I've just seen the Animation Panaroma at the London Film Festival and of all the films shown, 'Still Life With Dogs' stood out head and shoulders above the rest. There was a lot of dynamic and creative animation in the other films, but what they didn't have was heart and soul, and that's where 'Still Life With Dogs', in its own quiet way, leads the field. Brilliant - it's just a pity that PBS didn't allow a decent and respectful pause at the end of the film before launching into their crass advert. How do I get a video of this film sent to me in England? 9/4/02 MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I WERE FLIPPING CHANNELS ON A GLOOMY RAINY DAY WITH NOTHING ON T.V. AND CAME ACROSS SLWAD. IT GRABBED OUR INTEREST FROM THE START BY THE ARTWORK AND ANIMATION OF THE FILM. WE WERE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THIS FILM WAS ABOUT. IT WAS VERY MOVING ON MANY LEVELS. WE HAVE A DOG AS WELL WHOM WE LOVE AND CAN'T IMAGINE HIM NOT BEING THERE DAILY TO BRIGHTEN OUR DAY WITH THE WAG OF HIS TAIL. IT IS AMAZING HOW NATURE AND GOD'S CREATURES CAN EFFECT YOU ON SO MANY LEVELS. I PRAISE YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DID ON SLWAD. IT IS A STORY THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN. P.S. CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN PURCHASE SLWAD ON VHS? I WOULD LOVE TO SHOW THIS FILM TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. 6/12/02 Rob Adams <rha106@psu.edu> It was 5 AM, and I had just come home from an all night bike ride the morning I fatefully stopped flipping channels on PBS. I was immediately drawn to "SLWAD" and was dumbfounded as to why I couldn't take my eyes away from it. It would eventually make great sense though. I strongly believe that all beings are connected by a universal energy that can allow for telepathic communication, and also believe that you can find God through nature. If God cannot be found in the splendor and miracles of a forest, beach, mountain, or canyon, where could He possibly be found? Though I'm young, about the same age when Paul begins his story, I aspire to to be an artist who deals with very similar topics. This 30 minute program was not only entertaining, but was of great inspiration to myself, and anyone like me, who would like to try and help the world realize that even without religion, it is possible to understand God. 6/12/02 I arrived home from taking Maggie, my aging Jack Russell terrier for a long walk along the lake, and discovered SLWAD quite by accident on PBS. The poignancy of the film was hightened by the fact that Maggie, my companion and best friend for the past nine years just suffered a seizure yesterday. What touched me the most about SLWAD was both the relationship between Paul and his dogs and the final line, in which the filmaker speaks eloquently about reverence for nature and the realization his connection to God through nature. Thak you for creating such a gem of a film! 6/12/02 Erin Thomas <Super Star2322@aol.com> I stumbled upon this program and immediately fell in love with the author's depiction of his love for his dogs. As a pet lover, I can totally relate. But, as soon as he murdered Ike, I almost had a nervous break down. I couldn't believe that someone could do that to an innocent living creature that he supposedly loved. I know that I could never fully understand until I walked in his shoes the reasons for this, but it just seems like there could have been SOME soulution other than murder. I haven't projectile-cried in a long time, but when I saw how casual he was when he fed the suicide drugs to poor, unsuspecting Ike, I couldn't stand it. It wasn't only the act itself, it was the fact that it seemed that the character didn't even react. There was never any doubt or second thought about it. He didn't cry or even say that he wished things could happen a certain way. It would seem that if you had to make the decision to kill your best friend so you could have a better life, yo u would put some thought into it...maybe anguish over the forces that are making this choice the only choice. I just think that if something gave you so much love and joy you'd figure out a way to keep it alive. And if there was no way, you'd at least feel bad about it. The whole ordeal just seemed too casual and really made me upset. I immediately changed channels and when I stopped crying, I decided to give the sotry another chance. That's when I came to the part in the story when the injured dog finds another creature in his similar situation (the crippled bird) and he kills it by crushing it to death. I thought of it as a mercy killing..maybe something he wish would happen to him because of all the pain he was in. That sent me over the top. I lost a life long friend (a cat of 14 years) just under a year ago and the depth of my pain was resurfaced as I endured this story. I do think this show has a lot of merit in its simplisitc but complex animation and narration, but I wouldn't recommend it on my worst enemy. 6/4/02 Walter Ehrhardt <wehrhardt@igc.org> I stumbled onto SLWAD and almost switched channels, thinking it to be a children's cartoon. But I was immediately struck by the art. Then a few moments later, the dialogue revealed that this was, indeed, a cartoon for all ages. I was hooked. You two have created a masterpiece! The final line was so beautiful and powerful, "To be in awe of nature is to be connected with God". Am I correct to assume that you are not referring to the JCIG (Jewish, Christian, Islamic God)? To me, JCIG diminiishes the ultimate mystery that is nature. It's time for humanity to give up the childish theology and focus more on the sense of awe, wonder and beauty that is in nature and all around us. P.S. I'm buying the tape to show to all my friends, old and young, family and strangers. Filmmaker's response: You are correct. I use God as a convention everyone will understand. Even though I do not anthropomorphisize God as all religions do, I understand why it works for them the way it does. It's the state of mind faith puts true believers into, which is no different than the state of mind we can aquire in nature (or anywhere else after awhile). I believe that it's the depth of felt devotion which connects people with the power, whatever they/we want to call it. Thank you for your kind words and for spreading my film around. Truly, Paul Fierlinger 6/4/02 jaci <aeoun71_2@hotmail.com> i loved still life with animated dogs, last night was the first time i'd ever heard of it. you are really cool. i loved the part where you said you fantasised about having 2 dogs....it was halarious! are there other movies of the same type? what was it that you said about being in awe of nature at the end? i want to use that in my thesis. thanks Thanks for your comments! This is the last line from the program: "And suddenly I know, with absolute clarity, that to be in awe of nature and let go of all other thoughts is to become connected with God." 6/4/02 Sam Kent <dobitz@screaminet.com> We just saw SLWAD for the first time. Two months ago we rescued a 5 year old miniature Dachshund named Buddy, our first dog. He and our three cats have found an equalibrium in our home and I am wondering how I lived without him for so many years. Your profound tale gave words and pictures to all the feelings I have found in myself since this wonderful fellow came in to our lives. Thank you thank you thank you. 6/4/02 Joanna Henning <comountronco@aol.com> I only caught the last quarter of "Still Life" and am so disappointed now that I did as I don't see it coming up again to be aired. Aside from the fact that I have 8 dogs and my life is devoted to animal welfare, this programme struck me in the gut because of the magnificently stunning animation. When I was in college I was able to find animation festivals with beautiful animation - true artwork that offered subtle colores and soft lines and basically animation that was not Disney. How refreshing it was to see "Still Life" - animation so different from Disney where animals don't have big goofy smiles and all the women don;t have enormously round batting eyes. Additionally, the narration and writing was lovely. I hope that it is aired again on Wkop in Knoxville, TN so I might actually see it from the beginning. Mr. Fierlinger is a brilliant artist with such keen insight into dogs and their relationship with people!!! Thanks 6/4/02 It never fails. I put the key in the "mail box", and I can hear the dog tags "tinkling". Once I'm inside Cody, sitting in HIS chair is ready for either tummy rubs or to go "side". No matter what kind of day I've had at work he loves me just the same. He's the best angel I've ever had the good fortune to know!! And, I DO mean angel!!! 5/29/02 J.M Hardiman <happy5574820@yahoo.com> It has come to my attention by letter from my insurance company that they will no longer insure my rental because the tenants own a Rotweiller. I called several companies to see if this was true of all insurance companies, and guess what!! It is becoming common place to pick on this particular bred. It is not fair to judge all dogs because of breed, their dog is a sweet and loving one, and I am glad she is there to protect my house, I would not ask them to get rid of her, I will try to find a company that is not so judgemental!! Thank you 4/3/02 Susie Gavlik <sgavlik@frontierstrvl.com> Dear Mr. Fierlinger, I just received word that you are the proud new owner of my dog Tomo. I was concerned about his whereabouts after things did not work out with John. He was a great dog to have and we had many good times with him. Unfortunately our son was extremely allergic to him and was hospitalized on numerous occasions. After many tests and various diagnosis, we came to the conclusion that it was an allergy and nothing more. It broke our hearts to get rid of him and every once in a while our son still mentions "domo"! Thank you and your wife for your love of the dog and for offering him a life that even I envy. It's great to know there are people in this world who truly care about animals! I will watch for your anecdotes about him and Spinnaker. 2/1/02 Alina Domingo <alinadomingo@hotmail.com> Hi, this is the first time I go to this website. I like your shows. I am 7 years old. Thank you. Alina D. |
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