From its opening scenes, Not My Dog presents what looks like a simple story: a man accidentally ends up with a dog that doesn’t belong to him. What seems like a harmless case of mistaken identity quickly stretches into something deeper.
As the events move forward, questions begin to rise about responsibility, trust, and whether we ever truly know what we’re ready for in life. The main character, Dave, finds himself forced to adjust, emotionally and practically, to a situation he never asked for.
At first, Dave sees the dog as a temporary inconvenience. He assumes the problem will be solved soon, maybe even within a day or two. But the more time he spends with the animal, the more he realises how much he’s been missing out on.
A stubborn man finds connection in the form of a confused canine (Photo: Not My Dog/Burden Media and Trash Panda Pictures)The film cleverly uses the dog as a mirror, forcing Dave to confront parts of himself he has been avoiding. Through simple interactions and quiet moments, his growth begins to show. He stops focusing on the chaos around him and starts dealing with the one thing that matters: change.
This transformation is not loud or rushed. It moves slowly, through small details and awkward exchanges. There are no exaggerated dramatic events. Instead, it is everyday life that pushes Dave to look at things differently. By the end, viewers realise that the story is not just about a misplaced pet.
Dave’s Emotional Distance and the Dog’s Role in Changing That
From the beginning, Dave is clearly someone who prefers distance. He avoids anything that feels like a burden, whether emotional or physical. His relationships, including those with neighbours and colleagues, stay on the surface.
He likes routine, avoids discomfort, and stays out of other people’s matters. So when a dog ends up in his life through an error, everything about his usual behaviour is challenged.
The dog, whose name is never quite settled in the film, does not care about Dave’s preference for quiet living. It interrupts, demands attention, and creates mess. What seems like an inconvenience ends up being the first thing to truly connect with him in a long time. The presence of the dog forces Dave to pay attention, to react, and to take responsibility.
As the days pass, Dave’s approach to the situation begins to change. He stops trying to hand the dog off. Instead, he buys food for it. He clears a space in his apartment.
He even begins to talk to the animal in moments of confusion or stress. Through these small actions, the film shows a man reconnecting not just with the dog, but with his ability to care and engage.
The Real Owner’s Return and What It Means
Everything takes a new turn when the real owner of the dog finally shows up. It happens without any dramatic build-up. A simple knock on the door and a quick conversation are enough to bring the central conflict to light. The woman explains that there had been a mix-up, and that the dog had been missing for a while. She is calm, polite, and clearly relieved to find her pet again.
Dave’s reaction is more complicated than expected. He does not react with relief. Instead, he looks confused and unsettled. This is the moment where it becomes clear that the dog had become more than a temporary guest. It had become the first source of real emotional engagement he had allowed in a long time.
What follows is a quiet but powerful moment. Dave stands in the hallway after the dog is gone, staring into the empty apartment. The silence feels heavier than it did at the start. All the things he thought made his life easier now feel empty. The film does not use loud music or tears to express his feelings. It lets the quiet speak for itself.
Dave’s Attempt to Return to Normal
After the dog leaves, Dave tries to go back to his previous way of living. He wakes up at the same time. He sits at his table with the same mug. He avoids conversations, sticks to his schedule, and keeps his space clean. But something has shifted. The routine that once gave him peace now feels hollow.
The film does an excellent job of showing this through details. His movements are slower. He forgets things. He walks past the pet shop without looking inside, but pauses for a moment longer than usual. The smallest reminders – an empty dog bowl left behind, a chewed-up slipper – create pauses in his daily flow.
Even though nothing major has changed on the outside, it becomes clear that Dave’s view of life has been altered. The dog taught him how to care again, and now that it is gone, that lesson remains.
A Chance Encounter and a New Choice
Just when the film seems to be winding down, something happens that brings a fresh twist. While out for a walk, Dave sees someone else walking a different dog.
This wasn’t his dog but it became his biggest lesson (Photo: Not My Dog/Burden Media and Trash Panda Pictures)This new pet pulls its leash and runs toward Dave with excitement. The moment is brief, but it causes something to change in him. He bends down, greets the animal, and shares a smile with the stranger holding the leash.
This moment is followed by a short scene where Dave walks into a shelter. He stands in front of a row of cages, looking at different dogs. There is no voiceover or dialogue. He simply watches them, and they watch him. Then, he sits on a bench and waits. The screen fades slowly.
This quiet ending avoids grand statements. Instead, it focuses on potential. Dave may or may not leave the shelter with a dog that day, but the fact that he is there shows that he is no longer the man who refused to be involved. He has made room in his life for something new.
The Film’s Message Through Small Moments
Not My Dog avoids dramatic turns or fast-paced action. It builds its strength through small moments that feel real. A look across a room, the sound of claws on the floor, or the sudden silence after a pet leaves – these are the things that move the story forward.
The film reminds viewers that change does not always come from huge events. Sometimes it grows from the presence of something living, something messy, something that refuses to be ignored.
Dave’s emotional journey is not flashy, but it is deep. He starts off distant, gets thrown into a situation he didn’t ask for, and ends up growing into someone who is more open and more present.
By the time the credits roll, the story has come full circle – not through a dramatic twist, but through a quiet readiness to begin again. It asks a simple question: what happens when you are forced to care? The answer it gives is one worth sitting with.
Not My Dog is available for streaming. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. It may also be listed for rent on platforms like Google Play and Vudu, depending on your location. Whether you choose to rent or buy, the film is available digitally for viewers who want a quiet, moving story about unexpected connections.
(Updated: Jun 17, 2025)
