Determination and the refusal to accept defeat. It’s what kept four women fighting against all odds when their dogs suddenly became sick.
Gail Gilbert was one of the dog owners and, in following her dream of becoming a filmmaker, has documented the struggles, the beauty and the friendships from the experience – the result of which is the film “Puppy Love,” a story that extends beyond an animal tale and into one of hope and determination.
“It’s a human story and equally a dog story. It’s all about not giving up and persisting,” Gilbert said.
It’s a story doesn’t end with the final credits. As Gilbert prepares for her February screenings of her new film, “Puppy Love” she has partnered with Woodstock based agency Helping Paws Animal Shelter to share in the film’s spotlight.
Puppies without a plan
Gilbert said didn’t set out to create a film. Her initial footage was simply videos from her phone she shot to document her excitement at fulfilling a childhood wish of having a dog.
Her joy and excitement soon turned to fear when at eight weeks, the male puppies in the litter began showing signs of paralysis in their legs. The initial veterinary response was to offer euthanasia. There was neither a cause nor a known cure.
“When he got sick, I honestly didn’t think he was going to last a week,” Gilbert said.
But Gilbert and her fellow dog owners were not willing to accept defeat. Sleepy Hollow resident Michelle Cullen took in Oliver, one of the sick puppies, and said from the start, these dogs had a stubbornness and a fight, they weren’t willing to let their diagnosis be the end.
“If they were going to keep fighting, we were going to keep working with them,” Cullen said.
There was no instructions; rather, the group sought advice, searched for ideas and kept trying to find ways to help the dogs through setbacks and small triumphs.
Gilbert, with the help of professionals in the film community, documented the journey in 2012, with some of the footage shot in Marengo. She never imagined at the time it would become the materials for what would be her first feature-length film.
Second chances
As Gilbert shares her film in local community screenings, she has gone the extra step to partner with local animal welfare organizations, using her film to share the spotlight with those who share the determination in animal care.
“The film goes behind animal welfare and it’s a story of resilience,” said Donna Matejka, president and CEO of Helping Paws Animal Shelter. “It’s about fighting through big struggles and getting to the goal.”
A portion of the proceeds from upcoming screenings will be donated to the Woodstock shelter, which is in the second phase of its “Raise the Woof” campaign to build out an addition to its facility, Matejka said. The expansion plans include more space for medical care and a community room to host onsite events and programs. Helping Paws is the oldest animal welfare organization in McHenry County, launching its services in 1969, according to the nonprofit.
Becoming a filmmaker
While Gilbert is growing used to her new title as a film director, her own story of changing career directions midlife and pursuing her desire to create films is in itself a tale of resilience.
Since the 1980s, Gilbert worked in commercial advertising as a film editor. She was behind the scenes, creating 30-second spots for television. She returned to Northwestern University for a master’s degree in fine arts, but even with the new credential in hand in 2016, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do. She recalled making a short film for her graduate class assignment, and the reviews weren’t good.
“Nobody liked it,” she said.
In 2020, Gilbert started sifting through the video footage and started working on a script for a documentary on the dogs. The process wasn’t easy, nor was it fast. Gilbert leaned into her network of people in the film industry, asking questions, asking for help and learning whenever she could in the process.
“I called upon all my friends, my advertising friends,” she said.
From trailer to title, each step took time and patience and countless revisions, Gilbert said.
“It’s amazing how you really need to collaborate,” she added. And Gilbert still had to juggle her dog Scout’s busy training schedule, making multiple trips each week from her home in Evanston to locations in Fox Lake and Huntley for training. The four dogs not only moved past their challenges but would continue to become award-winning dogs. Shooter and Oliver earned recognition as Champion Tracking Dogs.
Cullen said when it came to Oliver, he never let his disabilities stop him.
“He had challenges but he never cared,” Cullen said. “We didn’t know it at the time, but these dogs came into our lives and they changed our lives.”
Where you can see ‘Puppy Love’
Local screenings will be at the Classic Cinemas. Each will include a question-and-answer segment following the film with Gilbert, and members of the team at Helping Paws Animal Shelter, which will benefit from the screenings. Gilbert’s dog Scout will also appear:
- 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, Woodstock.
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 Carpentersville.
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 on and in Fox Lake.
“Puppy Love” is also available to view on Amazon, Apple TV and other streaming and VOD services.
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