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My Life as a Dog (TV series) facts for kids

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My Life as a Dog
Based on My Life as a Dog by Reidar Jönsson
Developed by Reidar Jönsson
Donna Matson-Jönsson
David Brandes
Barbara O'Kelly
Starring Michael Yarmush
Callum Keith Rennie
Jennifer Clement
Joy Coghill
Composer(s) Randolph Peters
Country of origin Canada
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22
Production
Executive producer(s) Martin Katz
Derek Mazur
David Brandes
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) Atlantis Films
Credo
Release
Original network Showtime
Original release September 8, 1996 (1996-09-08) – February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)

My Life as a Dog is a contemporary, half-hour Canadian drama series that ran for 22 episodes from September 8, 1996 until February 2, 1997. It was based on the 1985 Swedish movie of the same name and was developed for Canadian television by, among others, Reidar Jönsson, author of the original autobiographical book.

It is the coming of age story of a young boy, brutally dragged away from his familiar universe into an unknown world. Though aimed at teens, it has been rated above the usual "infantile sitcoms".

The series was shot on location in Winnipeg and Gimli, Manitoba. It was directed by Neill Fearnley and produced by Atlantis Films Limited and Credo Entertainment Group.

Plot

After his mother's death and with his sailor father away at sea, imaginative 11-year-old Eric Johansson is sent to live in a small fishing village with his mother's twin brother, Johnny Johansson. Eric's adventures in Gimli will help him to feel at home with his new family and come to terms with some pre-adolescent uncertainties while Johnny, burdened with unexpected fatherly duties, has to make some choices he avoided to face before.

Cast

  • Michael Yarmush - Eric Johansson
  • Callum Keith Rennie - Johnny Johansson
  • Marley Otto - Anastasia 'AJ' Burke
  • Jennifer Clement - Zoë Johansson
  • Joy Coghill - Astrid 'Auntie Auntie' Árnesson
  • Bucky Hill - Sam LaFresne
  • Yank Azman - Tom Shaughnessy

Awards

In 1997 Callum Keith Rennie won a Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series for his role as Johnny Johansson. Michael Yarmush won the 1998 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Leading Young Actor and was nominated for a YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama TV Series the same year.

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 "The Arrival" Michael Scott Barbara O'Kelly September 8, 1996 (1996-09-08)
2 "Stranded" Michael Scott Charles Lazer September 15, 1996 (1996-09-15)
3 "Root of All Evil" TBA TBA September 22, 1996 (1996-09-22)
4 "Smelly's Dark Secret" TBA TBA September 29, 1996 (1996-09-29)
5 "Tribe" TBA TBA October 6, 1996 (1996-10-06)
6 "A Day in the Life" Michael Scott Tony DiFranco October 13, 1996 (1996-10-13)
7 "Great Expectations" TBA TBA October 20, 1996 (1996-10-20)
8 "Profile of the Artist" TBA TBA October 27, 1996 (1996-10-27)
9 "The Fugitive" TBA TBA November 3, 1996 (1996-11-03)
10 "Widgeon" TBA TBA November 10, 1996 (1996-11-10)
11 "Once They Get a Taste" TBA TBA November 17, 1996 (1996-11-17)
12 "The Puck Stops Here" TBA TBA November 24, 1996 (1996-11-24)
13 "Soap Gets in Your Eyes" TBA TBA December 1, 1996 (1996-12-01)
14 "Gimli Marathon" TBA TBA December 8, 1996 (1996-12-08)
15 "The Why? Files" TBA TBA December 15, 1996 (1996-12-15)
16 "Beauty and the Zit" TBA TBA December 22, 1996 (1996-12-22)
17 "Return of the Undead" TBA TBA December 29, 1996 (1996-12-29)
18 "All in Your Head" TBA TBA January 5, 1997 (1997-01-05)
19 "A Winter's Tale" TBA TBA January 12, 1997 (1997-01-12)
20 "Obsession" TBA TBA January 19, 1997 (1997-01-19)
21 "Blizzard" TBA TBA January 26, 1997 (1997-01-26)
22 "Where the Wind Blows" TBA TBA February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)
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