Dog Gone, a family drama film available on Netflix, is inspired by real occurrences. Pauls Toutonghi’s 2016 book, “Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home,” served as the basis for this film.
Stephen Herek’s heartwarming video centers on the friendship between a dog named Gonker and a man named Fielding “Fields” Marshall.
Who is Gonker?
In the movie “Dog Gone,” the Marshall family’s dog, Gonker, plays a pivotal role. In the film, he is a labrador that Marshall (Fielding “Fields”) adopts. Based on the true story of a lost dog and the extraordinary journey he and his family took to find him, the film is titled “Dog Gone: A Lost Pet’s Extraordinary Journey and the Family Who Brought Him Home” (2016).
Indeed, the Marshalls’ dog Gonker was a golden retriever mix. Fields Marshall, the son of John and Virginia “Ginny” Marshall, met his future wife, Gonker, in 1992 while they were both students at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Having experienced some personal tragedy, Fields sought solace in an animal sanctuary. A golden retriever puppy, whom he named Gonker, became his new pet. Fields returned to his parent’s home in Washington, DC after completing his degree in anthropology.
He brought Gonker along, and the dog quickly became a beloved member of the household. In spite of this, Gonker was last seen on the Appalachian Trail in October 1998. Additionally, Gonker had Addison’s disease and needed a monthly injection to keep from going into a coma.
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What Happened to the Real Gonker?
The picture Dog Gone alludes to the fact that it is based on a true story written by Fielding Marshall’s brother-in-law Pauls Toutonghi. The real Gonker did get lost on the Appalachian Trail on October 10, 1998, just like he did in the movie.
According to the New York Post, his mother stayed at home for two weeks while his father and Feilding went out hunting for him, contacting everyone from animal shelters and local newspapers to police stations.
On October 25, 15 days after he went missing, Gonker was located at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia, 111 miles from his original location. Gonker and his family remained inseparable for the next five years after he was reunited with them; he passed away at the age of 11 in 2003.
Meanwhile, Fielding has relocated to Chile, where he now operates a kayak tour business and lives with his wife (whom he met in Chile), his two children (a boy and a girl), and a new dog.
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Does Gonker the Dog Die in “Dog Gone”?
Dog Gone does not have a tragic ending, since Gonker the dog survives. Unfortunately, Fielding and the Marshall family are left worried for the poor dog on multiple occasions during the film, beginning with an emergency trip to the clinic where they are told Gonker has a 50/50 chance of surviving the night.
Dr. Gonker diagnoses Gonker with Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency, in which the body does not produce enough of particular substances called glucocorticoids.
Gonker’s illness necessitates a monthly injection to maintain his health. That seems straightforward enough until the daring dog becomes disoriented while hiking on the world’s longest trail 20 days before he requires his next life-saving shot.
The quest strains the family to its breaking point but also provides Fielding and his father with some much-needed quality time together.
As time ran out and the family began to lose hope, a phone call came in from a lodge resort more than 100 miles away with the life-changing news that Gonker had been discovered.
In the end, Fielding, Gonker, and the Marshalls are reunited, but not before one more surprise. Throughout the entirety of Dog Gone, Fielding conceals his medical difficulties by not eating and sleeping normally and by coughing up blood.
Soon after Gonker is rescued, he falls due to his health problems and must be taken to the hospital.
As it turns out, he has to have a significant portion of his big intestine removed due to ulcerative colitis (intestinal ulcers and inflammation).
Fortunately, the doctors can save Fielding, and the film concludes with his parents secretly letting Gonker into his hospital room.
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Frequently Asked Questions…
What Kind of Dog is Gonker?
Fielding is a socially shy college student who adopts a dog after being rejected by a woman. He adopts a yellow lab puppy he discovers at the local pound. Throughout the remainder of his undergraduate career, he is inseparable from the dog, whom he calls Gonker. On campus, he frequently brings his dog to class without a leash.
Is “Dog Gone” Inspired by a True Event?
The film Dog Gone is inspired by the true story of a father and son who are determined to find their lost dog, Gonker. Introduce yourself to the boy who inspired this film.
Is Gonker Genuine?
In October 1998, Gonker, a funny but loving dog suffering from Addison’s illness, became lost on the Appalachian Trail. The devastated family had only 23 days to locate him and provide a life-saving injection.
Conclusion
Netflix’s new family drama, Dog Gone, is based on a true story. The film follows the Marshall family’s search for their lost dog, Gonker. The real Gonker did get lost on the Appalachian Trail in 1998, just like he did in the movie. Gonker the dog has Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency. The dog becomes disoriented while hiking on the world’s longest trail 20 days before he needs his next life-saving injection.
The film Dog Gone is inspired by the true story of a father and son who are determined to find their lost dog, Gonker. Gonker’s owner, Fielding, has to have a significant portion of his big intestine removed due to ulcerative colitis.
