Jon's best friends, Stanley and Julius, two complacent and obedient golden retrievers, patiently wait while Jon tries to tame this beast with burden. After broken glass doors and windows, Jon finally gives up the fight and decides to send Devon back from whence he came. However, events ensue that lead Jon to know that Devon truly loves and appreciates him, and he gives Devon one more chance.
During all this turmoil in his midlife crisis, his estranged wife and daughter (Lauren Ambrose, "Six Feet Under") are bewildered by his irresponsible behavior, and his publicist is desperately trying to get a commitment for his next book. In an effort to settle his own life, Jon takes this crazy dog to the country to find some peace, teach the dog some obedience, and hopefully write his book without any further distractions or interruptions.
The country home is set on a hill in perfect view for all the curious townspeople to take notice of this bizarre writer and his incorrigible dog. Jon is led to Dog Whisperer Lois Blair (Lois Smith, True Blood) who let's this writer know that the problem is not with his dog, but with him! Facing this knowledge, Jon has greater empathy for the dog, and with training, they bond with mutual respect.
A Dog Year is slim on special features, including only a Behind the Scenes featurette that highlights prominent movie clips throughout the film.
A Dog Year is a simple tale about how the author took his troubled and entangled life and through understanding and discipline, found peace and contentment and the ability to travel a road to harmony and happiness with another true best and life-long friend, Devon. This is a sweet story about a frustrated, confused, middle-aged man, who through trying to get his dog to love and trust, finds his own way back to the reality of these characteristics in his own life. While not the most exciting of films, this is good family entertainment.
