Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the heroine's mother is killed (off screen) in a bad car accident in which the girl is a passenger. The girl becomes withdrawn and is sent to live with an apparently alcoholic grandfather because she can no longer stand her well-meaning, kind father. The movie confronts the idea of animal euthanasia repeatedly, with subplots of tainted animal feed, puppies consigned to drowning due to bad bloodlines, and a surreptitious no-kill animal shelter. A child releases all the dogs in a shelter, and as a consequence one is hit by a car while another inflicts a bite on a human.

Sexual Content

Long-term flirtation between two adult characters obviously meant to be together culminates only in handholding and a sweet kiss or two.

Violence

None shown graphically, but allusions to car crashes, dog autopsies, a dog attack, and drowning unwanted puppies.

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

Messages both against animal euthanasia and for merciful human euthanasia; conflicting discussions of the role of farm animals. A girl and her grandpa, both suffering the loss of the girl's mother, come together to comfort each other, boxing out the girl's father in the process (though, to be fair, he doesn't seem to mind.)

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable