Dog Gone 2023

The story unfolds with a college student named Fielding Marshall, who adopts a dog to cope with the heartache of a romantic rejection. He chooses a charming Labrador puppy, whom he affectionately names Gonker. Their bond strengthens as they navigate through college life together, with Gonker becoming a familiar sight around the campus.

As graduation approaches, Fielding finds himself at a crossroads, unsure about his future, which worries his father, John Marshall. Meanwhile, his friends are embarking on their careers, adding to his anxiety. Fielding returns home to live with his parents, John and Ginny Marshall. Shortly after, Gonker is taken for a vet visit and receives a devastating diagnosis of Addison’s disease, requiring monthly vaccinations to survive.

During a walk in the woods with his college friend Nate, Gonker chases a fox and vanishes, prompting a frantic search. Fielding and Nate return home, overwhelmed by the realization that Gonker is lost. This loss triggers painful memories for Ginny, who recalls her childhood dog, Oji, and the indifference of her parents when he passed away. Determined to find Gonker, she reaches out to newspapers, animal shelters, and hospitals, distributing flyers to enlist the community’s help.

The story of Gonker captures the media’s attention, igniting a widespread search across the state. With only three weeks until Gonker’s next crucial shot, Fielding and John embark on a desperate quest to find him. As the search intensifies, Fielding’s stress negatively impacts his health, and he becomes increasingly frail from lack of food and sleep.

An animal shelter reports a found dog resembling Gonker, but it turns out to be a different animal. As Fielding’s condition worsens, John decides to take him back home. After a restless night, Fielding awakens to find himself back in his familiar surroundings. Just when hope seems lost, they receive a call that truly leads them to Gonker.

Filled with relief, Fielding and John reunite with Gonker, only for Fielding to faint upon exiting the car. He is rushed to the hospital, where it’s revealed that he is suffering from ulcerative colitis. The film concludes with an emotional moment, as Fielding and Gonker sit contentedly together on his hospital bed, finally reunited after their harrowing ordeal.