Pete The Dog (2015) — Benita Raphan

Pete The Dog
2015
Produced, Directed and Edited Benita Raphan

Potential adopters of every species should watch this haunting exploration of a rescuer’s journey. It brings the darker side of rescue to light. And it raises questions that may be startling to animal lovers, but are vital to explore before any adoption, rescue, or purchase. What is the right animal for each person? For each environment? How can we match people and animals better? Do the imagined ends justify the actual means for adoptions? For behavior change? At what point does the mission of rescue come into conflict with healthy human-animal bonding and stable relationships? And what can we do to make this part of our world a better place?
I hope this film will comfort those enmeshed in these situations; you are not alone. I hope it will trigger further discussion on the ethics and mission of rescue, and make us all more careful, more open to the vast complexity of the human-animal bond, and more willing to admit when a match isn’t right before a match is made.
Thank you, Benita, for a thoughtful exploration of this wrenching, yet very common situation.
- E'lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB, 2015

Creative Adviser Alan Berliner
Science Commentary Written by Gerald I. Hurowitz, MD, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons
With Contributions from Brian Hare, Ph, D, Duke University, Duke Center for Brain Sciences

Veterinary Behaviorist Advisers
E'lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB
Meghan Elaine Herron, DVM, DACVB
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS

Veterinary Advisers
Michael Farber, DVM
Jennifer Mlekoday, DVM

Additional Canine Behavior Advisers
Ken Ramirez, Biologist
Grisha Stewart MLA
Susan Friedman, Ph.D.
Sue Sternberg

Canine Brain Scans Animal Medical Center
Human Brain Scans Paul Glimcher, PhD, New York University, Center for Neuroeconomics

Science Narration Juan Aceves Navarro
Additional Narration Cleandra Martin-Waldron

Introducing Matilda Watson as 'The Baby'

Cinematographer David Morabito
Gaffer Robert Aumer
Gaffer David Locke
Grand Central Times Lapse Cinematographer Mark Schmidt
Additional Images Benita Raphan
Script Supervisor Larissa Bailiff

Post Production Producers Benita Raphan, Marshall Grupp, Neil Raphan, Hafeez Saheed
Composer Hayes Greenfield
Sound Designer Marshall Grupp
Engineer / Sound Re-Recording Mixer Juan Aceves Navarro

Additional Audio
Engineer Peter Holcomb
Engineer Collin Blendell
Buzzy's Recording
Engineer Paul Brown
Mix Sound Lounge

Open and Title Sequence Tal Shub
Motion Graphics Coda

Science Animations
Illustrations Phillip Nessen
Script Hand Lettering Yasmin Malki
After Effects Mr. Wonderful

Flame Colin Stackpole, Light of Day
Flame Joseph Grosso, Cut + Run

This film was completed with a NYFA Fiscal Sponsor Opportunity Grant

Fundraising Lucy Eldridge
Grant Writing Larissa Bailiff

Legal Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein and Selz, PC
Accounting Sam J. Nole, CPA

Thank you to the Partners at Sound Lounge, Coda, Cut + Run, Light of Day, Mr. Wonderful, Northern Lights, Chromavision, and to everyone who pledged on Kickstarter and on Rockethub.

Special thank you Anonymous, the MacDowell Colony, the Walker Art Center, Film/Video Department, the Museum of Modern Art, Department of Film and Media, SVA, the RCA, the Arts Council of England, the British Artists' Film and Study Collection, Channel 4, UK, Animate Projects.
Holly Willis.