Some movies feature animals in a fundamental role. Don't worry: we're not talking about the Beethoven saga or Free Willy, but rather movies where the protagonists have pets that are simply memorable. That's why today at Aristopet we've decided to pay a small tribute to these ten pets that, from our point of view, deserve an Oscar for Best Pet. Although that category doesn't exist yet... Give it time. We're sure that someday pets will also pose on the red carpet at film awards!
1. Toto, the most endearing cairn terrier
In The Wizard of Oz, Toto is Dorothy's inseparable friend. The small cairn terrier would do anything for his owner, and his owner for him. In fact, after the episode where Toto bites the fearsome neighbor Miss Gulch (and she deserved it), Dorothy decides to leave everything behind and flee with her dog in search of a better life "somewhere over the rainbow." Can there be a more beautiful relationship between an owner and their pet?
2. Buzz's Tarantula
Buzz's tarantula, Kevin's brother in Home Alone, also deserves a special mention, because it causes the most terrifying scream in the entire movie and because even though, initially, its relationship with Kevin isn't very good... it improves throughout the film. Surely more than one person, after seeing how docile it was, was encouraged to get a tarantula.
3. Cat, the luckiest cat
The cat from Breakfast at Tiffany's is famous. Not only because his name was "Cat," but because he was Holly Golightly's (Audrey Hepburn) faithful companion. In fact, some people are truly envious of Cat because he had the privilege of watching Holly sleep, purring until he woke her up, and also listening to her play "Moon River" by the window. Furthermore, his disappearance is the trigger for... Well, we won't spoil it, but Cat gives a masterful performance.
4. Verdell, the most adorable Brussels griffon
The Brussels griffon that appears in As Good As It Gets showed off its inquisitive, watchful, alert, haughty, sociable, and sensitive temperament in the movie. His role is decisive because Verdell changes Melvin's (Jack Nicholson) life and helps him combat his obsessive-compulsive disorder. But, after all, that's how dogs influence us, isn't it? They make us better.
5. Marley, an incomparable labrador
Marley & Me (or "A Couple of Three" in its Spanish version) is a couple's story, but it's also the story of Marley, a beautiful labrador. The movie shows his 14 years of life, for which no less than 22 different labradors were needed. We love Marley and are touched by him in every shot, and he also makes this movie special, even though it has the necessary ingredients to go unnoticed.
6. Babe, the bravest Yorkshire pig
We couldn't leave out Babe, the famous brave pig. Babe is a small, endearing pink Yorkshire Pig, capable of herding sheep and making us all smile. During the movie, several piglets had to be used because this breed is one of the fastest growing and can weigh up to 420 kilos (meaning he was anything but a mini pig). But no one can deny that Babe was a darling and that if we had been on set... we would have wanted to take him home.
7. Frank, the pug with the most style
Frank is by far the sexiest dog on the big screen. Or do you know many pugs who look so good in a tailored black suit? And with such singing talent and so funny... That pug is the best. We would even dare to say that he's cooler than Will Smith himself.
8. Mrs. Norris, the Hogwarts cat
Mrs. Norris is the cat of Argus Filch, the caretaker or guardian of Hogwarts. Mrs. Norris is faithful and loyal to her owner, cunning, intelligent, and a little sly. Her tattling gets Harry Potter and his friends into more than one problem... Well, she's a bit mean, but we forgive her because we would love her to be ours to pet for hours and brush her fur.
9. Chip, the pirate parrot
Surely Chip could corroborate that "pirate life is the best life." Cotton, his owner, is a pirate whose tongue is cut out, leaving him mute. To communicate with the world again, he relies on Chip the parrot, whom he teaches to speak and turns into his personal loudspeaker. What words would you teach him, if he were yours?
10. Baby, the most docile leopard
Finally, we cannot forget Baby, the beautiful leopard that shares the spotlight in Bringing Up Baby with two stars of all time: Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Okay, you're right, a leopard is not a pet... but I'm sure more than one person has fantasized about it sometime! In fact, Jesulín tried it with a tiger. Do you remember Currupipi? Oh well... Anyway, let this final joke serve as encouragement for you to watch the movie, if you haven't already. It's very funny!
Many pets are missing, of course. But in future posts, we will continue to review those fabulous pets that appear in movies. Until then, would you like to tell us which of these 10 is your favorite?