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Underdog to Wonderdog
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartwarming shelter tales will inspire families.
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Based on 1 parent review
Great Show
What's the Story?
In UNDERDOG TO WONDERDOG, a team of experts rallies around abandoned and neglected dogs to rehabilitate them and find them loving new families. Each episode centers on a different shelter pup in need of lots of TLC, with viewers learning about each animal's history and special needs while the team works with the dogs to train, pamper, and prepare them for a new home. The series also devotes time to the potential adopters, sharing their reasons for seeking out a new pet and explaining how they expect their dog will change their life.
Is It Any Good?
If your life has ever been enriched by the presence of an animal friend, you're sure to enjoy these touching tales. It's hard to not be affected by the emotional stories of rescue and recovery, and you'll be inspired to see how the experts' patience and dedication is rewarded when the shelter dogs are transformed into healthy, happy, affectionate pets.
The absence of any iffy content (besides strong emotion) makes this a fine choice for whole-family viewing, though you may have to reassure very young or sensitive kids during segments that talk about the dogs' sad histories of neglect, illness, or accidents. That aside, just be prepared to field your kids' requests for a new furry friend of their own after they watch these heartwarming stories.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the joys and responsibilities of caring for a pet. How can having a pet enrich your life? How would you define the bond between people and their pets? What's your favorite type of pet? Does your family have pets? What daily tasks are required to keep it/them healthy and happy? What happens if they're not cared for? In your family, whose job is it to take care of your pet? Families can also discuss pet adoption. If you were to get a pet, what would you get? Would you consider adopting a homeless animal? What special needs might an adopted pet have? How would you work to ensure that those needs were met?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 3, 2009
- Cast: Ali McLellan , Andrea Arden , Ryan Smith
- Network: Animal Planet
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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