Watch First Dog

First Dog (2010) is a wholesome family-friendly movie that follows the unexpected journey of a golden retriever named Teddy, picked up by the Secret Service, and his heartwarming relationship with Danny (John-Paul Howard), the son of the President of the United States. The movie stars Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) as President Thomas Reed and his wife Linda, played by his real-life wife Eliza Roberts (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman).

The film opens with Teddy's past as a stray dog wandering the streets alone until he is picked up by Animal Services and transferred to the Secret Service K9 training program. From there, Teddy is paired with one of the top agents, Jones (Stelio Savante), for a special mission to protect the President on a visit to a small town in Louisiana. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Teddy ends up lost in the town following a car accident, where he meets Danny, who is on a fishing trip with his grandfather. The boy and the dog quickly form a bond as Danny helps Teddy navigate the town in search of the Presidential motorcade.

As Teddy and Danny embark on their journey, they run into a group of bullies who try to harm Teddy only to be later confronted by Danny's friend, Alex (Elijah Nelson), who comes to the rescue. The trio's friendship deepens as they work together to find Teddy's way back to the President. Meanwhile, the President and First Lady are frantically searching for Teddy, and in doing so, the President learns to take time off from work and bond with his family.

First Dog is a salute to the resilience and loyalty of animals in the face of adversity. It showcases the significance of relationships and the lengths individuals go to protect those they care about, including man's best friend. Teddy's loyalty and love for his new friend Danny is awe-inspiring; he never wavers throughout the movie and provides a sense of comfort to the boy as he deals with his parents' heavy workload.

The movie has its funny parts, such as when the President's bodyguard gets hit repeatedly with a stick trying to retrieve Teddy from a tree or when the President has to deal with a local chef who wants to serve him fried food instead of the organic food he requested. But the humorous elements do not detract from the film's central message of togetherness and compassion.

The film also touches on themes such as bullying, social class, and friendship. The supporting characters, such as Alex and his sister, Ryan (Mani Yarosh), show that it is okay to be different and befriend those who are not from the same social circle. The town's mayor, played by Tiny Lister, also shows the importance of always keeping the President's safety in mind and putting self-interest aside for the greater good.

The movie's soundtrack is well-suited to its storyline, with songs such as "Friends Forever" by Mandy Moore and "The First Time I Loved Forever" by Lisa Angelle playing at critical points in the story.

Overall, First Dog is an excellent family movie that brings to light the often overlooked bond between a pet and its owner. It reminds viewers of the importance of communication and loyalty, and how every individual plays an important role in creating a better society.

First Dog is a 2011 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.