"Some friendships transcend lifetimes."
A Dog's Journey - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Bailey's Reincarnations
The different dog breeds Bailey inhabits symbolize the various forms that love and protection can take. Each incarnation brings a unique set of circumstances, yet Bailey's core essence and purpose remain constant, signifying that the soul's devotion is more important than its physical form.
Bailey is reincarnated as a beagle named Molly, an English Mastiff named Big Dog, and a Yorkshire Terrier named Max, among others. In each life, he manages to find his way back to CJ and help her through a different stage of her life.
The Farm
Ethan and Hannah's farm represents a place of unconditional love, stability, and family. It is a safe haven that CJ is taken from as a child and eventually returns to as an adult, symbolizing a return to her roots and the healing of her family. The visual representation of the farm is bucolic and representative of a wholesome, middle-American ideal.
The film begins and ends on the farm. It is where Bailey makes his promise to Ethan to protect CJ, and where CJ ultimately finds happiness and reconciles with her family.
CJ's Music
CJ's passion for music represents her inner voice and her journey toward self-expression and healing. Her initial stage fright and the discouragement she faces from others symbolize the obstacles she must overcome. Her eventual success as a musician signifies her finding her own strength and purpose.
CJ is a budding musician who initially has a severe case of stage fright. Throughout the film, her songwriting is a way for her to process her emotions. She eventually releases her first music album, signifying her personal and artistic growth.
Philosophical Questions
What is the nature of a soul's purpose?
The film directly explores this question through Bailey's journey. His initial purpose was tied to Ethan, but it evolves to encompass a new mission: protecting CJ. This suggests that one's purpose is not static but can change and expand through love and commitment to others. The film posits that a life's meaning is found in selfless devotion and the positive impact one has on the lives of those they love.
Can love and connection transcend death?
"A Dog's Journey" answers this with a resounding 'yes.' The central premise of Bailey's reincarnation is that his soul and his love for his humans persist beyond his physical death. His ability to find CJ in each new life, and the eventual reunion with Ethan in the afterlife, strongly supports the idea that the bonds of love are eternal and unbreakable.
How do we find healing and forgiveness in dysfunctional families?
The film explores this through the relationship between CJ and her mother, Gloria. Their journey is one of pain and estrangement, caused by Gloria's grief and alcoholism. The film suggests that healing comes through understanding, personal growth, and the difficult but necessary act of forgiveness. Bailey acts as a catalyst for this healing, providing the unconditional love that helps CJ and, eventually, Gloria to open their hearts to one another.
Core Meaning
The central message of "A Dog's Journey" revolves around the profound and enduring power of unconditional love and devotion, particularly as embodied by the bond between humans and dogs. The director, Gail Mancuso, emphasized the theme of forgiveness as a key element she wanted to explore in the film. The movie suggests that this selfless love can transcend even death, with Bailey's reincarnations serving as a testament to his unbreakable promise to protect CJ. Ultimately, the film conveys that the purpose of life, for both dogs and humans, is to love and care for one another, and that this love is a guiding force that helps navigate life's greatest challenges.