A Dog's Way Home

Strong messages about life-changing connection and friendship between dogs and their human companions. Promotes idea that people aren't meant to go through life alone, that they're happier, more fulfilled with human partners and animal companions. Also promotes animals' healing powers for emotionally and physically wounded. Clear themes of empathy, perseverance as Bella comforts other animals and humans, never gives up on finding her humans.

Several potentially upsetting/disturbing scenes. In first scenes, Bella's mother is snatched by animal control (animals whine and panic, Bella says, "I never saw her again"); Bella's also separated from adoptive Mother Cat. Animal control takes Bella away from Lucas; she's sad, scared, confused; Lucas is told Bella will be euthanized if she's picked up by animal control again. Sad good-bye between Bella and Lucas. Bella is scared in the woods by herself at night. A mother cougar is shot by hunters (audiences hear the shot, briefly see dead cougar but not bloody wound). Bella and Big Kitten are pursued by wolves, Bella is separated from Big Kitten; Bella is later pursued and hurt by wolves again (bloody injury seen briefly). Bella ends up attached to homeless veteran who chains her to him and then (spoiler alert) dies. It's particularly upsetting because Bella describes keeping him warm until there's "no more" him; she's chained to dead body. She's semi-conscious when finally freed. Bella is struck by car, looks like she has a leg injury. Small avalanche injures a man. Veterans at the hospital are sad.

Infrequent use of words including "hell," "freakin'," and "oh my God." Also insults such as "moron," "shaggy butt," "crazy," and "stupid."