Here's a movie dog lovers shouldn't miss: "Life in the Doghouse." This documentary is the heartwarming story of "Danny and Ron's Rescue," a South Carolina animal rescue that has saved the lives of 11,000 animals. Danny and Ron got their start rescuing animals after Hurricane Katrina and never looked back. This movie is a rare look at how these two men have literally turned their home into a dog rescue operation. It's a remarkable story about animal rescuers that all animal lovers will appreciate.

"Life in the Doghouse" is now playing at the Grail Moviehouse in Asheville. Watch the trailer, find movie times, and buy tickets here: http://www.grailmoviehouse.com/coming-soon-blog//life-in-the-doghouse

The Grail is also generously supporting Asheville Humane Society during the showing of this movie, so please make a donation on their website or at the theatre to help local animals in need.

As a dog lover, you probably notice that dogs are often shown in TV shows and movies. Not surprisingly, the way dogs are depicted by the media, especially when it comes to their breeds, can affect the perception a TV viewer or moviegoer might have. This leads to stereotypes that may be widely accepted but not always correct.

Directpackages.com, an authorized DirecTV reseller, has created a nifty, informative online guide to dispel common dog breed stereotypes found in TV shows and movies. For each of 15 breeds, the guide compares and contrasts the stereotype with the reality and has some good, specific advice if you choose to adopt any of these breeds. Keep in mind, of course, that a mixed breed dog may exhibit characteristics of a number of different breeds. Also included in the guide are links to trailers for movies in which dogs are featured.

You can find the guide here: http://www.directpackages.com/tv-dog-stereotypes/

A charming new 12-minute movie, "Unleashed Love," is currently available for viewing on www.TheAnimalNetwork.TV. The movie stars Igby, a rescued pit bull, and was directed by Steven Ritt, who has trained animals for TV and film for over thirty years. The movie tells the story of Igby's spiritual journey as he forms a friendship with another dog.

Ritt created the movie to call attention to the benefits of adopting shelter pets. Ritt and video producer Andy Mason also started TheAnimalNetwork.TV to produce unique programming for animal lovers and to educate and enlighten people about animals, animal issues, and rescue.

Watch the movie here: http://www.theanimalnetwork.tv/unleashed-love-film

Nature's Variety Instinct, a maker of pet food, has produced a heart-warming online film in collaboration with Best Friends Animal Society called "Long Live Pets." They had the help of thousands of rescue dog owners, who submitted over 25,000 photos of real rescue dogs. Nature's Variety Instinct then stitched many of the photos together to create a one-of a kind film.

Every dog lover will love this film! View it here and share it, too: http://www.longlivepets.com/ 

A special screening of a one-hour new documentary for dog lovers, "Black Beauty Breed," will take place in Asheville on Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 PM at the Carmike 10 Cinemas, 121 River Hills Rd., Asheville.

"Black Beauty Breed" is a documentary feature on the positive character traits and inherent working ability of the Rottweiler breed. The film was written and directed by Angie Ruiz, who produced "La Milonga," a short film about the art of Tango that was an official selection of several international film festivals.

"Black Beauty Breed" showcases the versatility of the Rottweiler breed in agility, herding, carting, as therapy dogs and as search and rescue dogs. Stunning original film footage captures the resilient spirit of the Rottweiler from birth to their modern working abilities. Heartwarming, inspiring and uplifting, "Black Beauty Breed" articulates the universal themes of love, resilience, and the deep connection that humans can form with their dogs.

Because this is a special screening, at least 60 people must reserve their tickets by Thursday, June 26 in order for the theatre to confirm the screening. To reserve your ticket, go to:  http://www.tugg.com/events/9813 

Don't miss this opportunity to see a breathtaking documentary during this exclusive Asheville showing. Reserve your ticket today at: http://www.tugg.com/events/9813 

For more information about the film and to see the trailer, visit http://www.blackbeautybreed.com/

DOGTV, the first television network channel exclusively for dogs, has launched nationwide. Also available is 24/7 streaming on mobile devices.

DOGTV provides television for dogs as a 24/7 digital TV channel with dog friendly programming scientifically developed to provide the right company for dogs when left alone. Through years of research with some of the world’s top pet experts, special content was created to meet specific attributes of a dog’s sense of vision and hearing and supports their natural behavior patterns. The result: a confident, happy dog, who's less likely to develop stress, separation anxiety or other related problems.

DOGTV is recognized by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and uses concepts widely supported by leading pet organizations as a valuable product that contributes to the enrichment and quality of dogs' lives. Packages begin at $10 per month or $70 for 12 months.

Visit http://dogtv.com/ for further information.

If you watched the Academy Awards ceremony last Sunday, you may have seen a little dog on stage when "The Artist" won Best Picture. It was that dog, Uggie, whom to many was the real star of the movie. (If you haven't yet seen "The Artist," it's worth watching the movie just for Uggie's scenes!)

According to Uggie's trainer/owner, Omar Von Muller, Uggie was a cast-off who became the member of a lot of casts. “A friend of mine called and said there was a family that had a Jack Russell who was really hyper, and they were going to get rid of him,” Von Muller told Vetstreet. “So I took him home and started training him. He was pretty much set to be a star.” Uggie is now a veteran of movies. In addition to his role in "The Artist," the dog has been in "Water for Elephants" and "The Italian Job."

Uggie received the first ever "Golden Collar Award," the doggie version of an Oscar, for his role in "The Artist," but the ten-year old Jack Russell Terrier will be retiring from acting. Uggie has a neurological problem that causes him to shake. Von Muller says doctors indicate he is not in any discomfort, he just isn't well-suited to continuing an acting career.

Photo credit: Joel Ryan, AP

What is thought to be the first movie theater for dogs had its debut last month in Sweden, according to Petside.com. Eight screenings of the movie, Marmaduke, were held in a theater, and 20 dogs attended each show -- but they did have to attend with their owners.

The pups didn't get popcorn and candy, but they did enjoy "goodie bowls" with doggie snacks courtesy of Pedigree, who co-sponsored the theater with Fox Home Entertainment.

The theater was a special one-time occurrence set up in conjunction with a pet exhibition, but the organizers said the doggy theater was so popular that they would do it again next year.

Maybe this is a novel idea for a movie theater in the dog-loving Carolina mountains???

Photo: Petside.com

Silly, yes... but some animal lovers (and their kids) just can't resist talking animal movies! This one has fun written all over it. "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore" opens July 30. It is a spy spoof starring a bunch of talking felines and canines doing amazing things.

"Cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history" to save the world from a diabolical plan perpetrated by Kitty Galore.

Watch the trailer here.