Dog 2022

Former Marine Jackson Briggs is determined to rejoin the military after being discharged due to a severe brain injury and ongoing seizures. With the support of his supervisor, Captain Jones, he gets a chance to redeem himself. However, this comes with a condition: he must transport a female Belgian Shepherd named Lulu to Nogales for the funeral of her handler, Riley, who tragically passed away in a car accident.

Lulu is known for her aggressive behavior and has no suitable home, meaning that after the funeral, she faces euthanasia at White Sands base. As part of his mission, Briggs receives Riley’s belongings to return to his family, including Lulu’s “Love Me Book,” a diary kept by soldiers. He’s also warned to avoid touching her sensitive ears. With Lulu improperly contained, their journey begins—a challenging 1500-mile trek. Instead of heading directly to the funeral, Briggs opts to embrace the trip’s adventure.

Their escapades start when Briggs visits a shooting range, inadvertently leaving Lulu alone in the car. She breaks out, causing chaos in the vehicle, leading him to tranquilize her with a sausage treat. Later that evening, Briggs encounters two women, Bella and Zoe, at a bar, leaving the still groggy Lulu in the car. When Lulu wakes up and barks, a bystander mistakenly assumes she’s being abused, resulting in a rock being thrown at the car, provoking Lulu to attack.

Continuing their journey, Briggs engages in a heartfelt monologue with Lulu, recognizing that both of them are seen as liabilities to the army. When Lulu breaks free and injures herself, Briggs follows her trail to a pot farm where he meets Gus, who mistakenly believes Briggs is after his weed stash. After a tense encounter, Gus’s wife, Tamara, assists in treating Lulu’s injury, surprising Briggs with Lulu’s calm demeanor.

Driven by misgivings, Briggs stops at a luxury hotel under the pretense of being blind, allowing him and the dog to stay for free. However, chaos ensues when Lulu escapes and attacks a guest, which leads to a frustrating series of misunderstandings with the police. Briggs finds himself detained over suspicion but ultimately they are released after explaining Lulu’s background.

Despite his family’s reluctance to see him, Briggs takes a detour to visit his ex-wife Niki and their young daughter. He learns from Noah, Lulu’s brother’s handler, that his struggles echo those he faced with Nuke, a dog he ultimately adopted. Together with Lulu, they recover stolen belongings but face challenges when their vehicle breaks down during the storm.

As the storm pounds outside, Briggs confronts his own demons while comforting a frightened Lulu. The following morning, they embark on their final journey to the funeral. After a heartwarming ride with a stranger, they arrive just in time. Briggs allows Lulu her freedom near her former owner’s shoes but is unable to part with her. Instead, he returns to her side, revealing a newfound bond.

Briggs delivers Riley’s belongings to his grieving family and later speaks to Captain Jones about Lulu’s changed behavior, passionately advocating for her life. Faced with their emotional ties, Briggs ultimately frees Lulu in the prairies—yet, she refuses to leave. After a sleep cycle interrupted by a seizure, he discovers the profound connection they share; Lulu remains by his side, reassuring him during his struggles.

At White Sands base, he hand over Lulu to a young Corporal but begs for a re-evaluation of her fate. Overwhelmed by their bond, he decides against leaving Lulu behind, choosing instead to adopt her. The film concludes with a poignant scene of Briggs and Lulu overlooking the sea, where he expresses heartfelt gratitude to Lulu for saving his life, encapsulating their transformative journey together.