Eight below

Today is a big day for the American people because of the Super Bowl. I have never been a football fan. I still chose to pursue my favorite activity on this weekend----- watching DVDs. Although it is freezing outside, my heart was warmed by this touching story about eight sled dogs.

The movie I watched was Eight Below. It is about friendship between dogs and human beings. It was inspired by a true story.  

Jerry was the owner of these eight sled dogs. He explored with another scientist named Davis and served as an assistant in Antarctic area with his eight sled dogs. One day while Davis was trying to get better radio connection with the base, he fell off a little ice hill. The thin ice layer broke and Davis fell into the icy water. Jerry managed to guide the lead dog to save his life. Since Davis had got the valuable sample he wanted and since both Jerry and he were hurt, the explore team decided to go home. However, they could not take the dogs with them by aircraft due to the weight problem. They decided to return for the dogs as soon as possible even though they saw a snowstorm was coming. I was touched by their separation. The dogs kept looking at the helicopter and barking. They seemed to ask people to take them, not to leave them alone.

Unfortunately, the snowstorm was incredibly powerful and lasted much longer than they expected. The team had to wait until next spring to rescue the dogs. The dogs had to battle with the harsh environment and survive by themselves in the Antarctic.

What a hard life they suffered! Two died. They did not have enough food. They had to eat sea birds and dead killer whales. They were attacked by a Leopard Seal. Their journey was unimaginably harsh, full of unpredictable dangers. However, the lead dog took responsibilities and they always stayed as a group. When the lead dog found a dead whale, he showed the others. When they were attacked by the seal who was also trying to eat the dead whale, the lead dog bit a piece of meat and ran away to distract the seal’s attention. The seal chased him so the other dogs could enjoy the meat. When the seal came back and bit one of the dogs left rear leg, the other dogs jumped on him and fought with it to save their sister. When the wounded dog could not hunt for food, the others brought food to her. They were not only partners and friends; they were really like brothers and sisters in a family.

Jerry was worried about his dogs. Davis finally was touched by a photo of the dogs running on the snow covered earth. His son memorized the picture as THE DOGS WHO SAVED MY DADDY. Jerry and Davis and two other friends finally started a trip to rescue the dogs before the spring. At that time, the dogs had been living by themselves for over half a year. People managed to arrive to the base. When Jerry saw the metal chain, which was used to leash the dogs, and a dead body, he cried. He thought all the dogs had died. However, when he saw six dogs standing on the top of an ice hill and looking at him, he was excited. The dogs raced towards him. Jerry and his friends were so happy that they could not stop running to them too. They eventually returned to their master after over a six-month separation.

All dogs got on the helicopter voluntarily except the leader. Jerry was curious. He followed him and found the wounded female dog. Thank God, she was still alive! I could not stand losing any of them. Jerry held her and walked to the plane followed by the lead dog.

I could not hold my tears when I was watching this movie. I was so touched by these dogs, their faith and courage, and their intimate friendship with people, their determination to fight to live, their concern for each other, and their concern of helping people. Like I said at the very beginning, the weather was freezing, but my heart was warmed.