Dog Movie Based on True Story From Homeless to K-9

What is your favorite dog movie? My all-time favorite is Rescued by Ruby, a Netflix original film based on a true story. Ruby, the title character, was once a misunderstood, overlooked shelter dog who then became a police dog saving people’s lives.

Ruby’s road to success wasn’t easy. Generally, K-9 dogs are selectively bred, well taken care of by human families, trained by elite officers, and respected by society. On the other hand, Ruby was surrendered to the animal shelter, Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), at only four months old. In spite of the shelter’s best efforts to find her a forever home, Ruby was returned five times by adopters who found her too much work. As an Australian Shepherd and Border Collie mix, Ruby needed plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to thrive, and she simply wasn’t suited to life as a lap dog.

Herding sheep and cattle is what these breeds were bred for. Their innate intelligence, agility, and task-oriented nature make them ideal for farm work, rather than apartment living with limited access to the outdoors. If these dogs are not provided with the appropriate environment, they may resort to excessive barking or destructive behavior due to boredom. Given these facts, it is an unrealistic expectation for a dog like Ruby to be content as just a pet. Despite undergoing extensive behavioral training, no home could meet her unique needs, and she was scheduled to be put down. However, two hours before euthanasia, Matthew Zarrella, who was then training the K-9 unit at the Rhode Island State Police, saw her “bad dog behaviors” as strengths that would be valuable in carrying out challenging tasks. Thus, Ruby was given a new lease on life and went on to become a K-9 partner for Trooper Dan O’Neil in 2011.

*Spoiler Alert* About seven years later, Ruby and her fellow K-9 dogs found a missing boy alive in the woods after a 36-hour search. The boy happened to be the son of a dog trainer who volunteered for RISPCA and tried to rehome Ruby in the past. I’ve watched this movie more than four times, but the scene gets me every time. In 2018, Ruby received the Search and Rescue American Hero Dog Award from American Humane. It’s a well-deserved recognition for a truly remarkable dog. Fun fact! The canine actor who played Ruby in the film was also a former shelter dog, which goes to show that rescue dogs can be just as talented and capable as their purebred counterparts.

In addition, there is a documentary called SEARCHDOG. While Rescued by Ruby centers on the story of Ruby and now-Corporal O’Neil, SEARCHDOG features the journey of now-retired Sergeant Zarrella. He continues to train “unadoptable” dogs and his K-9 teams, and Ruby won’t be the last shelter dog to become a police dog!

Watching Rescued by Ruby and SEARCHDOG has given me a newfound respect for K-9 officers and their canine partners. It made me reflect on how we can better support animals in overcrowded shelters and assist them in finding the right place in society.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed thinking about homeless dogs, take a break and watch these cute Border Collie puppies! They’re hilarious as they hide from chickens while their dad sighs. They will certainly lift your spirits with their adorable antics.