Filmmaker shows the bond between the unhoused and their pets

‘Rescued’ to be filmed in Long Beach

Animals are attention getters and emotion grabbers, whether it’s a squirrel staring at us quizzically from a tree branch or someone walking a dog. When the animal is the friend of an unhoused person, we might react more intently than if the person were alone—we wonder if the dog’s OK or if the person needs anything for the dog. We also notice that most of the time, the animal seems better cared for than the person. More loved, too.

Long Beach resident D.J. Hale’s emotions likewise came into play when he picked up an Uber fare and drove him from a motel to a shelter.

“The only thing he had with him was a dog,” Hale said. “I’ll never forget the relationship he had with this dog.”

Uber driving is Hale’s side gig. It helps support his film writing, directing and acting, for which he’s garnered a couple of awards and nominations. Everyone has a story, Hale said, and his Uber passenger’s has inspired his new short film, “Rescued,” about a man who makes some bad moves; loses his business, his home and his relationship; and finds himself on the street. When he’s brutally attacked, a stray dog saves his life, and in the course of the film, each rescues the other.

Hale based the story on an amalgam of several people, including his mother. She, too, lost her home and stayed with Hale until she got back on her feet. The complex where Hale was living at the time didn’t allow pets, however, so her beloved dog had to stay with a friend.

“Imagine if that wasn’t an option, if she didn’t have a friend that wouldn’t take her dog,” Hale said. “That’s heartbreaking and something I never thought about until it became a reality. I want to do my part on shining a light on situations like this.”

“Rescued” is a nonunion, independent production, with the majority of its budget coming out of Hale’s pocket and through crowdfunding. The film is now in preproduction and will be shot at various locations in Long Beach. It will feature Hale along with actors Lindsey Shaw (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”), Elissa Kapneck (“The Young and the Restless”) and a dog, who has yet to be cast.

“We have to have a behavior and a chemistry test,” Hale said. A pit bull or “any kind of mutt” would fit the part well, he said, so stage parents of Hollywoof hopefuls might want to contact Hale.

The film will stream on Amazon Prime. Nonprofit organization From the Heart Productions is mentoring and guiding Hale through the production and funding efforts. He plans to take a portion of the final budget and donate it back to local food banks, animal shelters and community programs such as Long Beach Community Table and Food Finders.

 “We can see how unpredictable life can get—it’s easy to live in our little bubble,” Hale said. “Just because you think that your life couldn’t possibly go in that direction, it could. With the dogs, it’s the same—they’re put into situations beyond their control, and it’s unfair. And not everyone reacts in the best shade of himself, particularly to unhoused people. I want the film to show honest humanity—nobody’s a saint, nobody is absolutely cruel.”

 Hale and his crew have cobbled together a series of videos they found on YouTube that communicated their message of mutual support between human and animal. To see the project and provide support for “Rescued,” access this link.

Pets available for adoption

Pit bulls are the most overrepresented dogs in shelters, thanks to overbreeding, landlords not accepting them and other reasons. Long Beach Animal Care Services is no exception. At this writing, our shelter is housing 46 pitties and mixes thereof, which is about a third of the total number of dogs (111).

During our interview, D.H. Hale told me that pitties are his favorite dogs. Come down to LBACS, 7500 E. Spring St., Long Beach, near the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors), and find out for yourself why—they’re lovable, goofy and loyal. Maybe you’ll want to take one home.

Check out all the pets here, and email [email protected] to adopt one. Foster a pet by applying here, and give someone a shelter break!

“Well? Well? Are you going to take me home or just leave me to languish for another day?” Luscious (ID#A702250) is fed to the eyeteeth with being so adorable and playful—and wholly adoptable. She loves belly rubs and is ready to go home to a long, full life. She’s barely a year old.

What you see here is what you get! Alonzo (ID#A690707), a pit bull/Lab mix, looks as welcoming as he can be, and he truly is friendly! He’s only a year old and has spent practically half his life in the shelter. He loves to sit and shake hands for treats, and he loves his squeaky toys. Watch his video here.

For the life of us, we can’t understand why Skipper (ID#A694326) keeps getting skipped! He’s such a beautiful boy, with the best manners and the longest tongue, all ready to give kisses. Skipper came in with a group of dogs who’d been abandoned, living crated in a truck under the 405/710 freeway connector in an encampment. Because the doggies had been marooned, they were called the Castaways and were named after “Gilligan’s Island” characters. They were all surprisingly good-natured, and most of them have gotten off the island and safely into forever homes. We’re hoping that Skipper will have a happy finale as well. He’s only 4 years old and is ready to set sail for a safe harbor.

Pet events

Pet Supplies Plus adoption event: Saturday July 22, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Pet Supplies Plus, 2086 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, adoption fees apply. Long Beach Animal Care Services’ Adoption Waggin’ will roll up with a truckload of future best buddies waiting to go home with you! Best yet: Pet Supplies Plus carries the best of everything you’ll need to make them healthy and happy. All they’ll need is you!

Cat Lady Drag Bingo: Saturday July 22, 6–9 p.m., Ficklewood Ciderworks, 720 E. Broadway, Long Beach, $20 admission. What could be more deliciously outrageous than combining cat ladies (and gents) with drag queens? Join The Little Lion Foundation for an evening of screaming out letters and numbers and screaming in general during bingo rounds. Fabulous drag host Meow—er, Mia Anastasia Farrow will call out the numbers and will keep the energy high all night long. Make sure to arrive early to secure your spot and get your game cards. There will be oodles of prizes for the winners! All money from ticket sales will support local cat rescue and animal welfare. More information here.

3^rd annual Long Beach Burger Week, with dining for doggies: July 23–30, find participating restaurants and details here. Burgers and summertime go together naturally, and this yearly festival dishes up some doozies—burger pies from Polly’s, smashburgers and lemonade from StrongBeach Lemonade—even a kimchi burger with cheese fries from Bo-Beau! The best part of it all is the special doggie cuisine from participating restaurants with patios! Check them out here—your dog will have no excuse to beg from the table.

To see a list of local animal rescue groups, click here.