Dodger and Gunshot Noise

"What's with Dodger and 'gunshot' noise?" Good question. We recently discovered why dogs should avoid being outside during fireworks when we ventured onto a "John Hancock" movie set on Figueroa and Flower streets. The set included emergency vehicles and traffic in a crash and "shootout" scene reminiscent of the movie, "Heat." During the take, costumed actors, depicting police officers, fire fighters, innocent bystanders and obviously "bad guys" engaged in a "shootout" in the midst of all the crashed vehicles. Once the shooting started, Dodger immediately attempted to run for cover and ran all the way home while still on leash! (We now have figured out that Dodger knows his way home.) He was traumatized for a few days thereafter as demonstrated by his weariness to large buses during his walks. But, being the City Dog he is, he has become accustomed to these silly movie sets and has resumed to pooping right along the curb, just as a large bus zooms by. For Dodger, it simply allows for some wind on his face while he is taking care of business . . .

Waking Up Toys R Us and Journeymen Shoots

This morning, Dodger awoke to an entire commerical set (for "Toys R Us") around the corner on Flower and Wilshire Blvd. Before we ventured onto the set, Dodger and I, checked about whether there would be "gunshot" noise with the overweight, silver-haired motorcycle officer "manning" the part of the street that led to the shoot. Answered in the negative, we proceeded to join the captured audience of the shoot. With a crane and a director behind a bullhorn, "extras" (dressed office clothes and police officer costumes) were running down Wilshire after looking up at the building. Behind the used for this sequence, there were fire and SWAT trucks and LAPD vehicles in crash scenes complete with costumed "extras" checking their Blackberries and chatting on their cell phones waiting their turn. The scene involved a Giant Baby that is walking down the street who drops his pacifier which causes everybody on the street to stop and run. Dodger, having spent time in San Francisco (from which his Mum hails) simply rolled his eyes and thought, "Another typical morning in LA!" and went about his business. Keep your eyes peeled for that commercial!

Speaking of San Francisco, or "The City," Dodger noticed on the way home that folks were setting up for another shoot "Journeymen," a television series set in 1970s San Francisco on 6th and Grand. There were classic 1970s cars that were shipped in for the shoot and even two San Francisco Cable Cars! The streets and the storefront of "Starbucks" was used in the shoot! While watching the goings on of the shoot, Dodger was approached by film crew workers who played with him. One even says he has a long-haired Dachschund at home. Dodger wonders, "Maybe she's a hottie . . . "