August 2025 – Gary Bennett Publishing

Dog days at the movies: Top 10 best dog movies of all time

By Gary Bennett

Thus Jan. 9, 2019., photo shows a wall of movie posters celebrating canine stars on display at the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in New York.

This article appears in the August 21, 2025, issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

The dog days of summer are upon us (or perhaps slightly behind us) and what better way to escape the heat and boredom of these last few summer days than to curl up in glorious air conditioning and watch a good dog-themed movie.

But before we consider what to watch, did you ever stop to wonder where the term “dog days” comes from?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it turns out that dog days has nothing to do with our four-legged friends but everything to do with astrology! Dog days refers to the hottest time of year between July 3 and Aug. 11, with Aug. 11 just happening to coincide with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. For ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the annual flooding of the Nile in mid-August, so it became the “watch dog” for that event.

Today “dog days” are associated with hot, muggy days when you just can’t do anything but lie around like a dog. Dog days have come to be more associated with August than July. That is because by August, we have just about had it with summer. I know I have.

The term has even made its way into popular culture. Baseball has dog days when teams, most notably those out of contention, struggle to grind out game after game. Popular music has the 2010 top 10 song “Dog Days are Over,” by Florence and the Machine.

There’s also been more than a few movies with “dog days” in the title, including one great one, 1975’s “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino and directed by Sidney Lumet. That one told the tale of a long, sweaty, daylong siege suffered by inept bank robber Pacino, his partner and nine frightened hostages. It was based on a true story. Unfortunately, there were no actual dogs in the movie.

But thankfully for us, there are lots of great movies about dogs — so many, in fact, it’s nearly impossible to settle on a list of the top 10. But settle, I did.

I’m partial to movies where dogs don’t die and are the heroes, but I did consider the alternative. One caveat: I didn’t include animated movies in my top 10, which took some admittedly great ones out of the mix like “101 Dalmatians” and “Lady and the Tramp.” But, I’m an adult now and I just can’t settle in with an animated movie unless I’m with my grandsons.

10. “The Shaggy Dog,” 1959

Young lad Wilby stumbles upon an ancient curse and begins turning into a sheepdog, little by little. As a dog, he helps to foil a plot to steal secret government information he overhears.

9. “Turner & Hootch,” 1989

Tom Hanks stars as a by-the-book police officer who inherits his friend’s unruly dog who has a knack for helping to solve cases. In an odd-couple pairing, Hanks reluctantly embraces the sloppy, destructive, but effective dog.

8. “Best in Show,” 2000

The talented Second City cast prepares to take part in the great Mayflower Dog Show in this quirky, dry comedy that features scores of hilarious canines.

7. “A Dog’s Way Home,” 2019

When big-hearted Bella becomes separated from her owner, she embarks on a 400-mile journey to reunite with him. Along the way she finds adventure and helps a host of strangers.

6. “Call of the Wild,” 2020

Harrison Ford stars in this Alaskan adventure as the new owner of Buck, a good-natured dog that was just added to his mail-delivery dog sled team. Buck enjoys the work and the adventurous lifestyle.

5. “Sounder,” 1972

A family of poor Black sharecroppers in the Depression-era South can’t find enough to eat, despite help from their hunting dog, Sounder. The dog eventually runs away, but the family never gives up hope of finding it. I won’t spoil the ending.

4. “A Dog’s Purpose,” 2017

Reincarnated many times over 50-plus years, a devoted dog learns about itself as it helps its owners to laugh and love — one of the best ideas for a dog movie ever.

3. “Benji,” 1974

When the two children that Benji loves are kidnapped, he springs into action to save them and captures the crooks. He even falls in love with a Maltese along the way.

2. “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” 1993

Before the family leaves on vacation, they drop off their pets, including Chance, a wet-behind-the-ears American bulldog, at a friend’s ranch. Afraid they’ve been left forever, they start off on a harrowing journey to find their family. This movie features great voice work by Micheal J. Fox.

1. “Old Yeller,” 1957

A family in Texas tries to run off a runaway dog they call Old Yeller because he caused damage in their fields. Eventually they warm to him when he protects the family from a bear attack. As the dog and family grow closer, an outbreak of rabies threatens the bond.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Relax Frederick! How some notable locals unwind

By Gary Bennett

Michael O’Connor, Mayor of Frederick, 2025

This article appears in the August 13, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Proving there is a day for everything — even things that don’t need a special day — Aug. 15 is National Relaxation Day. How do I know this? I make it my business to keep up on all the newest trends, plus I consider myself a bit of a relaxation savant. Just ask my wife. No one can sit in one place longer than me.

Truth be told, I’ve waited all year for this day to arrive. It makes me look good.

National Relaxation Day encourages us to slow down and smell the roses. It’s a day to focus on taking care of yourself and taking a moment to relax. And it comes at the perfect time. August is the laziest time of year. It’s hot. There’s not much yard work to do since most things stopped growing weeks ago. There are no holidays to prepare for. And, for most of the world (notably large swaths of Europe), people don’t even work in August.

Inexplicably, a fourth-grader is credited with founding this day in 1985. Nine-year-old Sean Moeller from Michigan suggested to city leaders that we needed a day when people do nothing of real value. (Apparently, he was trying to get out of household chores.) He said that cleaning and real work are not relaxing. He said that too much work can make us sick, run-down, tired, “and that’s just wrong.” (Obviously, he’s heard me talking to my wife.)

With a wonderful idea like this, I’m sure he must have gone on to do many other great things in life.

You must admit he was right. It has been proven time and again that stress can be harmful to our health, both mentally and physically. Most doctors agree that finding ways to relax and reduce stress improve overall health. There is incontrovertible evidence that illness is significantly more common when you’re under stress.

American are well known for their hectic lifestyles and manic work schedules. It’s a double-edged sword because Americans want to be achievers, but burnout is always lurking around the corner. Europeans shake their heads at us when we recount all the late nights at work, vacations skipped, meetings attended and double- and triple-booked lifestyles.

National Relaxation Day gives us a chance to be mindful of all the things we’re trying to squeeze into a single day. It gives us a chance to just say no. No, I’m not doing any laundry today. No, I’m not fixing dinner tonight. No, I don’t need to vacuum. And no, I won’t be helping you with your homework. This day is about kicking back and focusing on yourself.

I am no stranger to mindful relaxation. My relaxation strategy includes several items that are not world-altering but provide me with the space I need to otherwise carry on with a busy life: a quiet, solo lunch in a not very busy sandwich shop, floating in a pool and drying off in the sun, and a leisurely country drive. Ahhh, I can almost feel the stress dropping away.

So, be sure to put “relax” on your to-do list. Hard as it may be to believe, a study reported that 45% of people just don’t know how to relax. Don’t be like those people.

Be like these notable Fredericktonians who told me their tactics for relaxation. Take your cue from them and find what works for you.

“I enjoy mowing my lawn, and I play in an online trivia league — with no cheating and no forfeits.” — Frederick mayor Michael O’Connor

“I enjoy working in my yard, particularly mowing the grass. It’s alone time with some music.” — Bob Smith, director of Parks & Recreation, City of Frederick

“I love to declutter and reorganize a closet, drawer or other small section of the house.” — Alison J. Bomba, licensed psychologist

“I declutter my closet and drawers while listening to podcasts. Also, jumping into my swim spa just changes my stress level immediately.” — Jodie Ostoich, president and CEO, Interfaith Housing Alliance

“I relax by turning on some music, pouring a glass of wine or having a cup of tea, and baking something delicious.” — Kelli Ackiewicz, program manager for Community Education at FCC

“I go crabbing and sometimes oystering in the winter for the same result.” — Eric Anderson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County

“We find working in the garden and reading very relaxing.” — Darlene and John Aulls, president of FSK Lions Club

“Mine is finding and cooking complex meals. The hours it takes to prep and cook are relaxing, plus the payoff of an amazing meal at the end.” — Kris Fair, executive director of the Frederick Center and Maryland State Delegate

“I love to read comic books. I love that I can finish them relatively quickly, be entertained and sit comfortably while doing so.” — Malcolm Furgol, executive director of the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick

“I relax by mowing the grass and doing my farm chores.” — David Hawkins, proprietor, Hawkins Landscaping

“I do yard work, specifically weeding or mowing the grass. Maybe it is the sense of accomplishment that helps me relax.” — Rev. Chance Martinez-Colon, pastor at Grace United Church of Christ

“I am most relaxed when I travel. Whether it’s a week-long trek out of the country or a day trip to Annapolis, a change of scenery and environment does wonders for my sense of calm.” — Melissa Muntz, executive director, SHIP of Frederick County

“I enjoy picking up sticks in the woods across the street from me. It’s great exercise and then I get to celebrate with a great fire.” — Ron Wolfe, proprietor, The Wolfe Team Realtors

Love is in the air at Virginia Beach

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the July 31, 2025 issue of the Frederick News-Posts “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

If Virginia is for lovers, then Virginia Beach is like the warm, furtive glances that gets the romance started.

My (now) wife and I began visiting Virginia Beach in the 1980s to forgo the craziness of Ocean City and to enjoy slightly warmer and gentler waters. To us, it was just far enough away to be a getaway but not too far to take up all our time getting there. Plus, Virginia Beach is “down South.” There is just something special about Southern hospitality. (And make no mistake, this part of Virginia is definitely in the South.)

As a Marylander, it’s hard not to compare Virginia Beach to our Ocean City. In some ways, they are like long-lost cousins with not much in common.

A great Beatles-themed dinner and lunch spot in Virginia Beach.

VIRGINIA BEACH VS. OCEAN CITY

Virginia Beach is not glitzy and shlocky like Ocean City. It’s laid-back, less crowded, and with warm people helping you at every turn.

On the downside, Virginia Beach’s boardwalk is a utilitarian concrete, not the traditional wood of Ocean City’s. Virginia Beach’s touristy shops are set back one street from the boardwalk while Ocean City’s are right there in your face at every moment.

Virginia Beach beaches are wide, sandy and clean. Ocean City’s beaches are narrower, darker and not so clean. Virginia Beach is rugged and outdoorsy with hundreds of nearby bays, creeks and other waterways for fishing, boating, paddling and exploration. Ocean City has Assawoman Bay that is more of a lagoon and is not really used for recreation.

At Virginia Beach, you are met on the beach by an enormous statue of the mighty and heroic King Neptune. In Ocean City, you’re met by a giant Ferris wheel.

Neptune, King of the Sea, welcomes you to Virginia Beach.

What’s more, Virginia Beach is gigantic! You may not realize it, but Virginia Beach is Virginia’s most populous city, and that is year-round. Sure, Ocean City swells to about 350,000 in the summer, but the rest of the year it is not much more than a village. Virginia Beach’s year-round population of 450,000 makes it almost twice as large as Richmond, Arlington or Alexandria. There aren’t a lot of tall buildings, but the sheer size in area gives it an unmistakable cosmopolitan feel. When you combine Virginia Beach with nearby Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth, you’ve got an immense urban landscape that is multicultural and exciting.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

There’s a lot to see and do in and around Virginia Beach, and its rich history is a good starting point. When not swimming in the ocean or sun bathing, I recommend a visit to the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry in the north end of the oceanfront. The cross bears witness to the location where the Colonists first set foot in the New World in 1607 before pushing up the James River to establish Jamestown. Nearby First Landing State Park is the largest state park in Virginia and is an absolute oasis for nature lovers. Located next to Chesapeake Bay, it features 20 miles of trails, two miles of tranquil beachfront and the most pristine habitats in Virginia, maritime forests and wetlands.

No trip to this part of Virginia is complete without stops in Jamestown, Yorktown or Williamsburg. Known as America’s Historic Triangle, these significant sites represent different eras in America’s story. Jamestown is the first permanent American settlement dating back to 1607, Yorktown is the site of America’s final victory of the Revolutionary War in 1781, and Williamsburg was the first capital of Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s. All are lovingly maintained and feature outdoor re-creations.

I highly recommend taking the Jamestown Ferry across the James River from Yorktown to Jamestown to arrive in style. With the 250th anniversary of American independence coming up in 2026, there is no better place to celebrate (other than perhaps Boston or Philadelphia).

GETTING THERE

When traveling to Virginia Beach, eschew I-95 South through highly congested Northern Virginia, Richmond and the Tidewater area (unless you have an EZ Pass) in favor of traveling to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, through Salisbury and over (and through) the amazing Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Going this way may take a bit longer, but you won’t have horrendous traffic spoiling your getaway.

We have gone to Virginia Beach both ways and the time difference is negligible. Both routes are officially listed at about 4 1/2 hours from Frederick, but the mileage is a bit less traveling through Northern Virginia.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an amazing engineering achievement. It straddles the Chesapeake Bay where it joins with the Atlantic Ocean. It totals 17 miles from Norfolk to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which makes it about four times longer than Maryland’s own Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The marvel, though, is in the two 1-mile-long tunnels that take you below the bay and allow maritime and military ships to pass above. The views are breathtaking.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, 17 miles of amazing engineering achievement.

ENTERTAINMENT

Virginia Beach calls itself the “Event Capital of the East Coast.” This is hyperbole for sure, but there is no denying the presence of first-rate venues that attract world-class entertainment. The centerpiece of Virginia Beach’s entertainment scene is The Dome. It is a state-of-the-art concert venue that can flex from an indoor setting into an outdoor amphitheater-type setting. Think Major League Baseball stadiums with retractable roofs, but in this case, there are giant hangar doors that open. There is nothing like it up or down the East Coast. Upcoming shows at The Dome include Cody Jinks, Alison Krauss, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Ziggy Marley and Shaboozey.

For Orioles fans, Norfolk is home to their AAA minor league baseball team, the Norfolk Tides. The Tides play at Harbor Park in downtown Norfolk on the Elizabeth River and feature players just a step away from the big leagues like the Orioles best prospect, catcher Sam Basallo, who just won International League Player of the Month, proving there is hope for the Orioles yet.

LET’S EAT!

Virginia Beach and its environs are known for their “coastal cuisine,” which naturally centers around the freshest seafood available. I’m loyal to Maryland-style crab cakes, but I’ve learned that the tidewater area of Virginia has its own homegrown delicacy: Lynnhaven oysters. They are named after the deep-channel Lynnhaven River where they reside. They are served raw and on the half shell, steamed and loaded with spinach, cheese and bacon. It’s not for me, but I can see the pride in which this local favorite is served.

For breakfast, one of my favorites is Another Broken Egg, a restaurant we fell in love with in Sarasota, Florida, and it’s just as good in Virginia. They feature giant (and delicious) eggs and pancakes.

For lunch, I don’t think you can do better than Abbey Road Pub and Restaurant, located oceanfront at 22nd Street. Naturally the pub has a rock ‘n’ roll theme with plenty of live acts and musically inclined decor. But the real stars are the hand-cut steaks and fries, homemade soups and farm-to-table fruits and vegetables. Naturally there’s a “Lucy in the Sky” bar on the roof for taking in the warm ocean breezes.

One of our guilty pleasures is stopping at a local dive bar and cafe called The Raven. The Raven has the best burger I’ve had in Virginia Beach and is served with the freshest, tastiest broccoli ever. If you’re not a broccoli fan, try theirs anyway. I don’t know what they do, but it’s wonderful.

For dinner, we like The Butcher’s Son and their aged, hand-cut steaks; Aldo’s Ristorante, for casual elegant dining (it was voted best Italian restaurant at the beach) or my favorite, Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar. The Rudee Inlet views are unmatched in Virginia Beach and the food is delicious and fresh. You can watch the boats come and go during dinner for some free entertainment. The draw here is the fresh seafood, including steamed shrimp, the catch of the day (anything from grouper to yellow fin tuna and mahi mahi) and the overwhelmingly large raw bar. Even getting to the restaurant is fun. Take the Oceanfront Trolley or the 10-foot-wide Rudee Inlet Connector Walk.