Dad turned dog wags off priorities

For the first time in weeks, everyone's home for dinner – no sports practices, no late nights at work. You can't wait to sit down as a family and have a relaxed conversation. But now that dinner's on the table, it's impossible to pry your son away from his video game, and your daughter would rather pore over her sticker collection. Bonding time is soon simmering on the back burner.

If your family ever has problems prioritizing, The Shaggy Dog, released on home video August 1, can help. After watching the movie, dig into a bone-a-fide family conversation about setting priorities. Then play our “A Bone to Pick” game to bring the lesson to life!

The Shaggy Dog features Dave Douglas (Tim Allen), a workaholic dad and deputy district attorney who has little time for his family. Currently on a case defending a crooked animal laboratory, Dave is so preoccupied with the trial that he neglects problems at home.

When Dave's animal activist daughter Carly (Zena Grey) brings home a 300-year-old wonder dog secretly rescued from the lab, Dave is outraged. Strange things begin to happen when the dog nips Dave's hand and transfers doggie DNA. When Dave starts licking his wife good-bye and growling at the judge, he knows something has gone awry.

Soon, Dave's pooch-like traits intensify, and he turns into a full-fledged canine. From his new four-footed perspective, he is able to see how he has been letting his family down. Now, he wants nothing more than to be a good father, not a fetcher.

Talk Together

How did Dave's priorities at the beginning of the movie differ from those at the end? How did Dave's turning into a dog help him adjust his attitude? Has there ever been a major event in your life that caused you to read j ust your priorities? Maybe you decided that sleeping in wasn't as important as waking up early to walk your new puppy.

Take turns describing what you think would be great about living more than 300 years. What would be the downside? Share what you think is important to you now that wouldn't really matter in 300 years. Likewise, what priorities might you have in 300 years that don't really matter to you now?

Play Together: A Bone to Pick

This fun game can become a pup-ular way to keep your priorities in check!

You will need:
• Different colors of construction paper
• Dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter
• Pencils
• Scissors
• Markers
• Dog-food bowl or large bowl from your kitchen
• Paper

Start by tracing approximately 20-30 dog bones on the construction paper. Cut out each of the bones.

As a family, brainstorm several things that are important in your lives. These can be priorities you have as a family and as individuals—such as “eat dinner together” or “ballet lessons.” Use a marker to write one priority on each bone.

Throw the bones into a big bowl. Your family is ready to play!

The object of the game is to predict the priorities of each family member. The first player closes his eyes and selects five bones. The other players each number a paper one through five.

The player opens his eyes and randomly places the bones, word side up, in the middle of the table. The other players must write down how they think the bone picker would prioritize those things in his life—maybe riding bikes is number one, and flossing teeth is number five.

When everyone is finished writing, the bone picker shows how he prioritizes the five items in his life. Each player whose list is correct gets a point. The first player to reach five points wins.

Just like Dave Douglas, you'll find that holding tight to what's important in life will keep your family moving in a paws-itive direction!

copyright © 2006 Cinematters