If you’re looking for a heart-warming film that provokes your love for K9s, A Dog’s Journey reminds you that pets can truly be a man’s best friend. While catering towards children with a more conservative storyline, the film still touches on mature topics interlaced throughout the film and your occasional chuckle and awws.

“A Dog’s Journey” is the sequel to 2017’s sentimental, “A Dog’s  Purpose” both of which are based on W. Bruce Cameron’s best-selling books about a dog (voiced by Josh Gad) that’s reincarnated over and over always making his purpose to protect the humans “in his pack.”

Bailey, originally a Red Retriever, (voiced again by Josh Gad) is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his “boy,” Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Ethan’s wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). In this second movie, a new little girl is added to his pack, Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ. The problem is that CJ’s mom, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), decides to take CJ away. As Bailey’s soul prepares to leave this life into a new breed of dog, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost. Thus begins Bailey’s adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ (Kathryn Prescott), and CJ’s best friend Trent (Henry Lau) experience the ups and downs of a single human life.

This sentimental storyline personally got to me as one of the sweet movies I would watch with anyone over and over. The basic storyline of Bailey and his one soul, never got old with the dog switching from a boy to girl and back many times, while showing his ways of devotion to his loved ones. CJ’s closest friend, Trent stayed present throughout the film allowing the audiences to concur that he would become a love interest to CJ despite their separation after they moved from their hometown. The grandparents, being returning characters and renowned actor Dennis Quaid brought a great presence to story and made the movie very enjoyable. One part of the movie that became eye opening was the presence of CJ’s abusive boyfriend, overall leading to a new life for Bailey. It starkly contrasted the child friendly beginning but brought depth to the story and the need for Baileys protection in the first place.

Overall, A Dog’s Journey was a fantastic movie that charmed audiences all around, definitely recommend you see it if you’re looking for a family movie that will bring joy to all. The acting was strong throughout the film as well as the black and white storyline still brought surprises that developed the story. Definitely worth it to see this movie, for a classic heartwarming pet story never goes out of style.