Just got back from 3 sunny (but cool!) days in LA where hubby & I got to meet Michelle M, along with her handsome bully boy, Spanky & her new little girl, Pepper. Unfortunately I didn't drag my camera along so I don't have any photo journals of the occasion--but we had a great time visiting (when I wasn't crashing as I was fighting a cold!)

After a crazy past couple months it was very refreshing to just be able to lounge around and relax...AND to see our Gabester on the Big Screen at last! The movie was pretty fun--though I had to remind myself this is a "G" rated film--so some of it had to be toned down a bit to cater to the younger crowd (ie. a scene where Sonny faces off with a growling, menacing-looking Rocky the rottie, showed no teeth or excessive growling/barking like we had originally filmed for the scene--guess that might be a bit scary for a "G" movie!)




The Director had stated that over 100 people working on the film had had a difficult time distinguishing between Gabe & his double dogs, but Michelle & I could pick them out pretty easily (of course we are looking for it and are very familiar with Gabe's looks!)

They had a cute title sequence with a cartoon Gabe being chased by caricatures of the two villains as they encountered various Wiley Coyote-type mishaps along the way--and they ended with a 3-minute talking dog dialog by Gabe (who introduces himself as "Gabe") and shows a couple of "bloopers" from the movie. And--along with seeing Gabe listed in the credits, I was there among the trainers --listed as "Assistant Trainer" for the movie




The screening took place at Raleigh Studios, where they film such shows as NCIS & Ugly Betty, etc. The theater wasn't all that large--seating about 160 people--but it was fairly full by the time the movie played. A busload of kids was brought in--looking to be around 5/6th grade age--and at first we wondered if they were going to spend their time cutting up and showing off, but they ended up sitting quietly for the show & seemed to enjoy the movie. Everyone was asked to rate the film and I noticed many that were giving it a top rating (even though I would think the majority of these kids were on the older end for this type of film) They ended with a question/answer time with the Director & Producer, and they invited me to join them in answering a few questions about Gabe.

Now we play the waiting game once again, while we see if any of the film companies decide to pick it up for theater release later in the year. If not, I was told they plan a limited theater release of some kind. I'll keep you posted as I hear updates!

MANY THANKS to Michelle and her daughter Mallica for being such gracious hosts (and Spanky & Pepper for making us feel right at home)!!!