Is Dog Gone based on a true story?

Before going into Dog Gone, we need to know a few things. One of those is whether it’s based on a true story or not. This gives us an idea of what to expect.

There is no doubt that when we go into a movie involving dogs, we need a few details. One of those is whether it’s based on a true story or not. This gives us an idea of what to expect.

Of course, while a story may be loosely based on truth doesn’t mean it’s going to play out in the same way. Usually, we get something like Dog with Channing Tatum where Lulu is given a much happier ending that the dog in Channing’s real life.

What about this new movie with Rob Lowe? Is it based on true events, and is that a good thing?

Dog Gone is based on a true story

Netflix confirmed when releasing details about the movie that Dog Gone is based on a true story. It follows the book Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home, which tells us the true events of Gonker, who did go missing from his family. It was a race against time to find him and bring him home.

Pauls Toutonghi wrote the book. It’s not an autobiographical story of events, but Toutonghi does tell us of the events. It turns out that he married into the family that the dog was connected to.

Toutonghi’s wife is Peyton Marshall, who is Fielding Marshall’s sister. Fielding is the son in the movie, and was Gonker’s owner when Gonker went missing. Rob Lowe plays Toutonghi’s father-in-law John and Kimberly Williams-Paisley plays Virginia “Ginny” Marshall, Toutonghi’s mother-in-law.

The book is more of a fictional retelling of the story Peyton’s family told Toutonghi. The book was just supposed to be a story for the family, but Ginny encouraged him to publish it for the world to read. After all, a lot of people rallied around the family finding Gonker at the time.

There are some changes to the real story, which happened in 1998. The real Gonker was a golden retriever mix, but movie Gonker is a yellow lab. Fielding was also a little older at the time of the real events, suffering from grief after his daughter passed away in 1991. The baby’s mother just leaving led to Fielding deciding to adopt Gonker to help him through his grief.

What happened to Gonker in real life?

Gonker went missing while hiking with Fielding on the Appalachian Trail. The dog just took off, and Fielding feared the worst. Would Gonker survive without his monthly injections for Addison’s disease? The slightly bit of stress could be deadly, and Gonker could face all sorts while alone on the trail.

When Gonker went missing, Fielding and John went out searching for him, placing leaflets out wherever they went. Ginny stayed home to work as a base and track everything on a map. Gonker went missing on Oct. 10 and they had until Nov. 2 to find him when his next injection would be needed. In real life, the two also took their other family dog with them.

Okay, for the very good news. Gonker was found on Oct. 25. He’d traveled 111 miles and other than cuts on his paws from the trail, he was in good shape. In fact, he’d gained a pound! Dog and owner were reunited, and that’s what we’re expecting in Dog Gone.

Dog Gone is on Netflix on Friday, Jan. 13.