Ashley Judd knows firsthand how much animals can become part of your family. She’s had two dogs that did everything with her for more than a decade — from film shoots to travel they were all inseparable. Her latest movie, A Dog’s Way Home, comes from a book with the same name. It’s about this dog that embarks on a 400-mile journey. We talked with the actress about the project.
Family Entourage: What made you want to be part of the film, A Dog’s Way Home?
Ashley Judd: I definitely wanted to be a part of the film because for one, I already had the pleasure of working with Charles Martin Smith [director] before on the Dolphin Tale movies. I know his values, and I know his heart and creativity.
Of course, I am an animal lover. I’ve had my two dogs for 16 and 17 years, respectively, and we were inseparable. They went to different countries around the world with me. They were on the set of every film I made while they were still living. At any given moment depending on the fluctuating population and who shows up, and who needs to go to Heaven, I’ve got five to seven cats.
My whole family are animal lovers and that dates back to my great Aunt Pauline and being on her farm in Appalachia. It was delightful to be a part of the movie and to tell such a sweet story.
FE: Speaking of family, it is one of the themes within the film. Speak a little bit about the importance of connecting and that belonging with others.
AJ: Yes, we all have a profound need safety and intimacy and one of the core meanings is closeness. Bella shows us what love, devotion, and belonging, like when she’s displaced, her drive is to be reunited with her family. I think we all feel that way and the movie also reminds us as the Dolphin Tale movies do that families can look a lot of different ways. There’s the family that God gives us, and we also have a wonderful opportunity to create a chosen family whom we can love and feel we can be loved.
A Dog’s Way Home opens Friday.
