a dog's journey part 3

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A Dog's Journey

Where to watch.

Rent A Dog's Journey on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

A Dog's Journey is as sentimental as one might expect, but even cynical viewers may find their ability to resist shedding a tear stretched to the puppermost limit.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

Gail Mancuso

Kathryn Prescott

Betty Gilpin

Dennis Quaid

Marg Helgenberger

Movie Clips

More like this, movie news & guides, this movie is featured in the following articles., critics reviews.

W. BRUCE CAMERON

W. Bruce Cameron is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today bestselling author, columnist, and screenwriter. Cameron is most famous for his novel A Dog's Purpose , which spent 63 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The book is the basis for the movie version starring Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, and Pooch Hall. A Dog's Purpose is followed by a sequel called A Dog's Journey , which W. Bruce Cameron, along with Cathryn Michon, adapted into a film of the same name. His books have been translated into over 60 languages.

A DOG'S PROMISE

A Dog’s Promise – The Newest in the “A Dog’s Purpose” Series!

This is the highly anticipated third book in the A Dog’s Purpose series.

A Dog’s Promise continues the story of Bailey, the good dog whose journey started in A Dog’s Purpose (the international hit film) and continued in A Dog’s Journey (now also a major motion picture). This time, Bailey is joined by another very special dog, who helps Bailey fulfill his promise over the course of several lives.

This charming, wise canine soul brings joy, laughter, and comfort as he unites a family fractured by life’s inevitable obstacles. The love and loyalty of these two memorable dogs shows us the incredible power of hope, truth, and unending devotion in this moving novel by award-winning author W. Bruce Cameron.

"A Dog's Purpose/A Dog's Journey" Teaching Guide

If you’ve read Dog's Purpose or the sequel A Dog's Journey, you are aware of the potential for using these novels to seize the imaginations of your students, and to get them thinking beyond the written page and into the deeper, more profound aspects of the story. Indeed, both books have been successfully used in grades as young as 5th and as old as 12th. Using feedback from these real world experiences, a pair of educators has created a study guide to assist teachers in using both books in the classroom. This study guide is available for download, free. The guide has been aligned to the CCR national standards and specific comprehension questions have been designed to meet these standards. Vocabulary development has been pre-leveled for students as: middle school level, high school level, and advanced level.

PLACES TO BUY

• A Dog's Purpose Series
• For Grown Ups

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A dog's journey, common sense media reviewers.

Sequel is as sentimental and emotional as the first film.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Strong messages about the life-changing bond, unco

Ethan and Hannah continue to be wonderful role mod

A dog dies on different occasions. In one particul

A married couple embraces, dances, briefly kisses.

Infrequent language includes a few uses of "idiot,

Recognizable brands include Dodge, MacBook, iPhone

Quite a bit of drinking by Gloria, who's nearly al

Parents need to know that A Dog's Journey is the sequel to 2017's sentimental A Dog's Purpose , both of which are based on W. Bruce Cameron's best-selling books about a dog (voiced by Josh Gad) that's reincarnated again and again with the purpose of finding a specific human to protect and love. This…

Positive Messages

Strong messages about the life-changing bond, unconditional love, and connection between dogs and their humans. Promotes idea that people aren't meant to go through life alone, that they're happier and more fulfilled with both human partners and animal companions. Clear themes of empathy, perseverance.

Positive Role Models

Ethan and Hannah continue to be wonderful role models: kind, helpful, disciplined, loving. They take good care of Bailey and CJ. The dog always believes his/her purpose is to defend, protect, and love his/her human companions, nevers stops looking for or protecting his/her human. CJ is lonely and sad at times but loves her dog and her best friend, Trent, who's supportive, generous, encouraging. Gloria is an alcoholic and neglectful mother but eventually takes responsibility, asks for forgiveness.

Violence & Scariness

A dog dies on different occasions. In one particularly painful scene, Bailey dies in Ethan's arms receiving a euthanizing shot. Another version of Bailey dies in an accident, others die of old age. An abusive boyfriend purposely crashes into his ex-girlfriend's car. Another boyfriend is verbally demeaning, grabs his girlfriend. An older adult dies surrounded by people (and pet) he loves. An alcoholic mom is neglectful, leaving her daughter alone a lot of nights. A girl is frightened of a storm, upset that her mother isn't around.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A married couple embraces, dances, briefly kisses. Teens make out in a car. From dog's perspective, a young couple "licks each other's faces" -- like Ethan and Hannah used to when they were younger. At one point, the dog narrates, "They look like they want to lick each other."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Infrequent language includes a few uses of "idiot," "dumb," and "stupid." A mom hurls the word "chubby" like an insult. "Oh my God" as an exclamation.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Recognizable brands include Dodge, MacBook, iPhone, Slim Jim, Cheetos, Whole Foods, Ford, and Jeep.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Quite a bit of drinking by Gloria, who's nearly always shown with a glass of wine or a cocktail in her hand. She's clearly an alcoholic and is often drunk. Shane is obviously a drug dealer -- he exchanges cash for small packets at a party. Minor character smokes cigarettes.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that A Dog's Journey is the sequel to 2017's sentimental A Dog's Purpose , both of which are based on W. Bruce Cameron's best-selling books about a dog (voiced by Josh Gad ) that's reincarnated again and again with the purpose of finding a specific human to protect and love. This time around, Ethan ( Dennis Quaid ) encourages his beloved dying dog to return to find his granddaughter. There's less violence in this one, but there's still an alcoholic, neglectful parent (this time a mother) and an abusive boyfriend who literally crashes into his ex-girlfriend on purpose. Another boyfriend is verbally demeaning and grabs his girlfriend; a minor character smokes. And, yes, the central dog dies -- four times, to be exact, due to sickness, old age, and accidents. But couples don't do much more than hug and kiss, and language is tame ("idiot," "stupid"). As in the first movie, there are clear messages about empathy and companionship, as well as the power of having a pet with whom humans share unconditional love. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (20)
• Kids say (17)

Based on 20 parent reviews

Interesting discussions about this film

Amazing....but made me sob, what's the story.

A DOG'S JOURNEY -- the sequel to 2017's A Dog's Purpose -- is, like the first film, an adaptation of W. Bruce Cameron's best-selling books about a special canine whose memories are reincarnated into a new dog each time it dies. As the sequel begins, Ethan ( Dennis Quaid ), his wife, Hannah ( Marg Helgenberger ), and their beloved dog, Bailey (voiced by Josh Gad ), are living on their Michigan farm and taking care of Hannah's toddler granddaughter, CJ, and widowed daughter-in-law, Gloria ( Betty Gilpin ), after the death of her son. When Gloria, who's angry and neglectful in her grief, takes CJ away to Chicago, Hannah and Ethan are distraught. Right before Bailey eventually dies, Ethan asks him to come back for CJ. And that's what happens: The dog returns as Molly, a puppy that 11-year-old CJ ( Abby Ryder Fortson ) adopts, while her best friend, Trent ( Ian Chen ), adopts Molly's brother Rocky. Years later, CJ (now Kathryn Prescott ) continues to be "Bailey's" purpose, even after more dog deaths and CJ's move to New York City to pursue a music career.

Is It Any Good?

Emotional and syrupy sweet, this sentimental sequel is a tribute to the enduring bond between dogs and their human best friends. Veteran TV director Gail Mancuso continues Lasse Hallstrom 's poignant touch with the story, which switches from focusing on Ethan to CJ. The CJ storyline is less violent than younger Ethan's, but it's still filled with heartbreak, a parent's substance abuse, sadness, and loneliness (save for lifelong friend Trent).

Gilpin is well cast as a selfish, disinterested mother who cares more about warning her daughter about the dangers of getting "chubby" than actually parenting her. Prescott is believable as a vulnerable, unfulfilled young woman whose greatest comfort has always come from her dog. And Henry Lau is almost too good to be true as the earnest adult version of Trent. Gad's voice is eager and steadfast as the various incarnations of Bailey, and, unlike in the first film, A Dog's Journey , audiences stay with the same family of dog owners throughout the story (with the exception of one quick detour). This movie definitely and effectively pulls at the heartstrings, so pet lovers in particular should expect tears to flow at the many tender moments between CJ and Ethan and their dogs. There's even a subplot about one of the dogs being able to detect cancer by scent, an ability a later dog can also display -- with life-saving results. For dog fans, this is a movie that affirms the kinship between humans and dogs; for others, it's a treacly sweet take on some serious issues.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violent/upsetting scenes in A Dog's Journey. Why do you think they were included? Can a movie have violent parts and still be family friendly?

What do the human characters learn from their dog? How does the story promote empathy ? How does Bailey's journey, lifetime after lifetime, exemplify perseverance ? Why are those important character strengths ?

How does the movie portray drinking ? Are there realistic consequences? Why is that important?

How does the movie address grief, especially in relation to losing a pet? Have you ever had to deal with that? What made you feel better?

What do you think about CJ and Trent's friendship? How is their relationship different from the other romantic relationships depicted in the movie? What's the message about friends who become more?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 17, 2019
• On DVD or streaming : August 20, 2019
• Cast : Dennis Quaid , Josh Gad , Betty Gilpin
• Director : Gail Mancuso
• Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African actors, Female actors
• Studio : Universal Pictures
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Cats, Dogs, and Mice , Friendship
• Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance
• Run time : 108 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : thematic content, some peril and rude humor
• Last updated : February 18, 2024

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Meet the dog thespians of 'A Dog's Journey,' a mutt method-acting masterclass

Spoiler alert! What follows reveals key plot points in "A Dog's Journey," though not the ending. You might want to see the movie before reading.

The pooch ensemble in "A Dog's Journey" (in theaters Friday) has serious acting chops.

These skills are required in the saga, a continuation of 2017's "A Dog's Purpose," which follows the spirit of Bailey as he's reincarnated into pup after pup (all voiced by Josh Gad ) before eventually passing to heaven.

The circle of life requires the full spectrum of canine emotion – from cuddly to consequential. Director Gail Mancuso, who has five dogs of her own, pulls Oscar-worthy performances from her canine thespians in a movie where there's a pooch in every scene.

For your consideration, we present the leading contenders:

Buddy brought the beautiful heartbreak early.

Boss dog Buddy (a Great Pyrenees/Bernese Mountain dog mix) was played by three lookalike dogs, but mainly Odin, the film's primary star. 

Odin was tasked with dying in the lap of Buddy's beloved owner Ethan (Dennis Quaid), which happens early in the film. It was already a Kleenex moment before Odin lifted his head for a final, soulful look into Quaid's eyes and faded. "That look was pure magic," Mancuso says. "That moment resonated with me, as I have experienced my own dog looking at me during our goodbye. It's a special bond."

'A Dog's Way Home':  How Shelby went from junkyard stray to Hollywood star

Molly was more than adorable energy.

The energetic Molly, who steps in to support the movie's human heroine CJ when her mom moves her away, was played by two Beagliers (a beagle crossed with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Lead dog Lemy showed parkour skills, bounding through backyard obstacles (down stairs, over a gate) to jump into young CJ's arms (played by Abby Ryder Fortson). "And then started licking my face all over," Fortson says.

But Lemy had to get tough later and "bite" the leg of the film's villain (Jake Manley). Dog trainer Bonnie Judd first taught Lemy to tug with a toy, then placed a pouch of meat in Manley's pant leg. "It's kind of like a pinata," Judd says. "The more they go at it, the more they get."

Firefighter says goodbye to rescue dog in viral post: Dog owners can relate because pets are family

Parting is such sweet sorrow for Big Dog.

Big Dog, played by an African Boerboel named Phil, has a small role, portraying a chance meeting with his spiritual owner CJ, now an adult played by Kathryn Prescott, in a roadside store. Phil hit his marks, and gave a hearty paw-shake. But the soulful-eyed dog hit dramatic paydirt when he bid farewell forever to CJ.

"When he's saying goodbye as he's leaving, it's so sad that it made me cry," Prescott says.

Related: The 25 most heroic dogs in America

Buddy and an adorable toddler make giddy magic.

Emma Volk was 2 when she shot her screen debut as Buddy's kid friend (and Ethan's granddaughter) in "A Dog's Journey." But her giggling chemistry with Odin's Buddy is magic, with dog and toddler clearly happy together in a way that goes beyond acting. "Emma just really loved the big brute, and it looks natural," Judd says.

Max's exit scene was tough even for the dog actor.

Rescue dog Max, CJ's adulthood dog, was played by four Biewer terriers. Belle, the character's primary actor, was so invested in her death scene, she had trouble letting Prescott's CJ tearfully sing to her.

"The first time, Belle really wanted to kiss her tears away, but after that she kept her head down and closed her eyes each time," Judd says. "It's a tough scene for any dog but Belle was still a super-hyper puppy. Yet she did exactly as I asked over and over again. On each cut, she would quickly kiss CJ and play."

Dog’s Purpose Books In Order

Publication order of dog's purpose books, publication order of dog's purpose puppy tales books.

A Dog’s Purpose series is a series of novels by American humorist, columnist, and author William Bruce Cameron. While Cameron has written in a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres, A Dog’s Purpose series is his best known and most popular work. The first novel in the series, A Dog’s Purpose was published in 2010 with the fourth one coming out in 2015. The series is a story of love between a canine and its owners as told from the dog’s perspective. The chief protagonist in the novels is a very special puppy, Bailey that Cameron follows on a journey of life. Over the series, the dog dies, and is reincarnated several times while on a quest to find purpose for its life. William Cameron explores the world from the standpoint of a dog, which makes for a humorous yet gripping and fascinating narrative. For instance, at one time Bailey concludes that horses cannot be relied upon and that cats are completely untrustworthy. However, what makes the narrative series so poignant apart from its humor is its portrayal of the innate desires of dogs to please their oldest friends – man. What makes the novels such a popular read for animal lovers is that unlike other animal books, the lead does not die at the end, but rather is reborn as a different type of dog, but now armed with lessons from the previous life.

The concept of having an animal as the lead in a novel is not a new one having been used in works such as Aesop’s fables. In recent times, novels such as Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and Charlotte’s Web by EB White that tell stories from animals’ perspectives have been highly popular. However, Cameron gives the Dog’s Purpose series of novels a twist by throwing in the aspect of reincarnation of the lead, which over time makes for a character that humans can relate to. While he changes his name from novel to novel, the chief protagonist never loses his consciousness of being the very same dog, Bailey. No matter the type of family, he finds himself in, he lives to discover his life’s purpose. Despite its highly unusual format, the series has received critical acclaim with the first novel topping the New York Times Bestseller list for forty-nine weeks. It has also received rave reviews from renowned sources such as Kirkus Reviews, Marty Becker who is Good Morning America’s resident veterinarian, and Temple Grandin a top expert on animal behavior. In 2011, Dreamworks announced that it will be adapting, the highly popular first novel in the series, A Dog’s Purpose into a movie by the same name. The movie set to be released in 2017 is scripted by William Cameron and stars Dennis Quaid, with Lasse Halstrom in the director’s chair.

Cameron writes an uplifting tale, narratives about redemption, joy, and purpose that come with their fair share of teary scenes of death alternating with happy reincarnations. While full of humor, these are inspiring reads that are a must read for anyone that has ever been loved or loved a dog. According to the author, the idea of a dog being reborn with all of its previous life memories came about when he got into thinking that maybe what people refer to as instinct could be memory. He argues that instinct is actually a hardwired species wide memory that comes from evolution and this may explain why dogs or other animals behave as they do. In scenes full of humor, he describes situations such as the dread of a dog when going to the vet to be neutered or sprayed, or the embarrassment of getting a head cone which. All of these emotions are because of experiences from a previous life. A Dog’s Purpose tells you everything you have ever wanted to know about a dog’s perspective, including how they feel about the family cat, boredom, family relationships, and even food. For the author the novels are about the theme of eternal love and connections we make with our animal friends and other significant people in our lives.

A Dog’s Purpose is the first novel in the series of novels that first introduced the chief protagonist. It is an extraordinary story of an adorable dog as he is on a quest for purpose over his lives. Unlike other dog stories that just explore the love between a dog and his family, this is a novel that asks one of the most important questions that almost all human societies have always asked: What is our purpose? The novel starts with the dog reincarnated as a boisterous golden puppy after coming from a life as a stray mongrel. Bailey has now been born into the family of a young boy named Ethan, an eight-year-old boy who loves him to bits. As he sets out on a new adventure with his new family, Bailey comes to discover that he may have to let go of his mongrel ways, to be the dog that his family wants to be. However, given that he knows that his life as a family pet is not going to last forever, Bailey is wondering if he would ever find his purpose, taking into account the inevitable reincarnations that always seem to present a new purpose. The story is not only insightful and heartwarming, but also a hilarious and emotional commentary of the unbreakable bonds between humans and dogs.

A Dog’s Journey is the sequel to the first novel of the series, A Dog’s Purpose. After several reincarnations, Buddy believes that he has finally fulfilled his purpose in life. Nonetheless, as he gets interested in Clarity the teenage child of the family, he becomes convinced that his purpose is to be her dog, so that he can prevent her from getting into all kinds of mischief. He is exuberant when he is given to Clarity the troubled but vibrant teenager, who he believes would benefit from having him around. When Clarity’s suddenly leaves, Buddy is thrown into a state of despair – who will stop the girl from getting into trouble? A Dog’s Journey is a heartwarming and charming narrative of unending devotion, love, and hope. It is more than just an endearing dog tale, but rather one that asks whether our pets take care of us or we take care of them.

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Is “A Dog’s Journey” one of the sweetest canine films out there, or one of the meanest? While I generally favor the latter reading, the gentle sniffling mixed with occasional awws and chuckles that broke out during my screening suggests the majority of the audiences will understandably lean otherwise, as they did with the film’s 2017 predecessor, “A Dog’s Purpose.” In theory, this unconditional affection seems mighty unjust for a shameless family franchise that kills an average of four to five dogs per movie, sometimes, in unspeakably wretched fashions—seriously, where is John Wick when you need him? And yet, as visually uninspired and ideologically conservative as it may be, there seems to be something beguiling about the series that keeps one (including myself, admittedly) on a short leash. Turns out, very few are immune to the sneaky suggestion that certain dogs and humans are meant for each other for life.   

This is indeed the philosophy behind TV veteran Gail Mancuso ’s “A Dog’s Journey,” which follows in the paw prints of its Lasse Hallström-directed ancestor with its assembly line of doggie fatalities. (Every dog-loving cinephile’s most cherished website “DoesTheDogDie.com” must be having a field trip with these films.) And before you cry out “spoiler alert,” know that spelling out the mounting corpses of our four-legged furry pals in these tearjerkers is not exactly a wrongdoing. Adapted from W. Bruce Cameron’s best-selling novels, the pair of syrupy films follows a Buddhist philosophy, imagining a world in which a dog’s spirit reincarnates in the body of a new adorable puppy (somehow, voiced by Josh Gad even when it’s a female) and pursues its original human to eternity.

“Journey” picks up where “Purpose” had left off, dropping us on a tranquil Midwestern farm ran by the impossibly wholesome couple Ethan ( Dennis Quaid ) and his wife Hannah ( Marg Helgenberger ). Their carefree “Boss Dog” Bailey, a handsome Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog, runs around the picturesque fields and happily chases his own tail, while keeping a watchful eye on Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter CJ (affably played by Abby Ryder and Kathryn Presscott in later ages), parented by the couple’s heavy-drinking widowed daughter-in-law Gloria ( Betty Gilpin ). Bailey exits the picture soon enough—poor Boss Dog has a cancerous lump—but returns promptly in the body of Molly the mischievous Beagle, reuniting with the 11-year-old CJ to keep a promise he’s made to Ethan. Now living away from her grandparents with the negligent Gloria, CJ finds the kind of comfort and support every child needs in Molly.

Our determined pooch returns again and again as Bailey drops dead in a continuous loop: once, as the African Boerboel Big Dog living on a roadside convenience store (or, “a house made of snacks,” as he calls it), and then as the snippy Terrier Max. Meanwhile, CJ goes through her own transformation and finds herself in the unforgiving streets of New York City as a budding musician with a severe case of stage fright. A series of mean boyfriends—one, a dangerous stalker responsible for Molly’s horrific death—doesn’t help with her insecurity, until she stumbles upon her beloved childhood friend Trent ( Henry Lau ) and falls in love. (Guess what wet-nosed character masterminds the reunion with a paw shake and tail wag?)

Rest assured, there is sufficient amount of cuteness to go around in “Journey,” complete with dutiful canine humor around pooping, face licking, and the perpetual pursuit of food. But while the film engages with the sadness and despair of certain life crises head-on—an unexpected case of terminal illness is especially well-conceived in that regard—it strangely falls short of treating others with the empathy and seriousness they deserve. Written by Cameron, Maya Forbes , Cathryn Michon and Wallace Wolodarsky , the story is outright hostile to Gloria, a paper-thin character whose mourning and alcoholism receives a cruel one-dimensional treatment. A gold-digging ex-girlfriend of Trent suffers in the hands of a similar caricaturized vision. And yet, no one comes to a film like this, where the world is divided into absolute goods and evils, for nuance or subtlety. If you can look behind the flat visuals and prescriptive pleasantries of “Journey,” you might just get on board with its compelling-enough tale of lost souls, found and lifted up by their forever-loyal pooches. On this earth and beyond.

Tomris Laffly

Tomris Laffly is a freelance film writer and critic based in New York. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), she regularly contributes to  RogerEbert.com , Variety and Time Out New York, with bylines in Filmmaker Magazine, Film Journal International, Vulture, The Playlist and The Wrap, among other outlets.

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Film credits.

A Dog's Journey (2019)

Rated PG for thematic content, some peril and rude humor.

120 minutes

Dennis Quaid as Ethan

Betty Gilpin as Gloria

Josh Gad as Bailey (voice)

Abby Ryder Fortson as Young CJ

Marg Helgenberger as Hannah

Kathryn Prescott as CJ

Ian Chen as Young Trent

Daniela Barbosa as Liesl

Jake Manley as Shane

• Gail Mancuso

Writer (book)

• W. Bruce Cameron
• Maya Forbes
• Cathryn Michon
• Wallace Wolodarsky

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• Robert Komatsu

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How ‘A Dog’s Journey’ got a sequel, thanks to China

Entertainment hollywood.

The story centres on a dog whose spirit is reincarnated in different generations of dogs

When ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ hit theatres a couple of years ago, it looked like a flop. In addition to dismal reviews (a 34 per cent “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes), just three weeks before opening, the family film had been accused of on-set animal abuse. In the wake of the controversy — launched when a video leaked to TMZ depicting a German shepherd apparently nearly drowning while performing a stunt — industry tracking services lowered their box office estimates for the movie.

Still, the film based on W Bruce Cameron’s best-selling novel went on to gross $64.5 million (Dh236.87 million) in North America. While that’s a pretty strong tally for a film that cost roughly $20 million to make, what was more surprising was just how well ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ did overseas. The movie collected $140.5 million internationally — $88.5 million of which came from China.

“When I heard we were getting released in China, I thought maybe we could make $5 million in box office or something, and that would be helpful to break even,” recalled the film’s producer, Gavin Polone. “And then when we saw the numbers out of China, it was a shock. Nobody was prepared for the tsunami.”

That film, ‘A Dog’s Journey’, will debut on May 9 in the UAE. Like ‘A Dog’s Purpose’, the story centers on a canine whose spirit is reincarnated in different generations of dogs, serving a life-changing purpose for each one of its owners. American moviegoers will again recognise the franchise’s biggest star, Dennis Quaid. But those in Asia may be more inclined to show up for the film because of its young male lead, Henry Lau.

Lau, 29, grew up in Canada as the son of Hong Kong and Taiwanese immigrants. Toward the end of high school, the classically trained musician won a local talent competition held by SM Entertainment, the Korean company behind the biggest K-Pop groups. He was quickly granted a spot in Super Junior-M, which would go on to become one of the biggest boy bands on the K-Pop scene. Lau remained in the group until last year and has since embarked on a solo music career, amassing 6.2 million followers on Instagram.

Though he appeared opposite veteran actress Michelle Yeoh in a 2013 Korean film, ‘Final Recipe’, Lau had little acting experience when he was cast in ‘A Dog’s Journey’. He was suggested to the filmmakers by Alibaba Pictures, the Chinese company that owns a stake in Amblin Partners, the Steven Spielberg-led studio behind both of the dog movies. (Amblin has a distribution deal with Universal Pictures, which is releasing ‘A Dog’s Journey’.)

“We wouldn’t have gone with him if we didn’t think his reading was fantastic,” insisted Polone. “But if we have a character that gives us the opportunity to be more effectively marketed in China and Korea _ and at the same time, have him be good _ why wouldn’t we want that?”

Polone attributes the first film’s success in China almost entirely to Alibaba, which created an elaborate marketing strategy to promote the movie. As part of the company’s relationship with Amblin, it helped the studio determine which films might have potential in China.

“A Dog’s Purpose” wasn’t an “obvious choice,” acknowledged Wei Zhang, president of Alibaba Pictures. But after screening the film, she had a feeling its heart-warming tone could work in the country. Zhang dug into some research and discovered that 30 per cent of China’s population owned pets. Through the parent company’s online marketplaces like Taobao and Tmall — where nearly 700 million consumers shop — she discovered that the sale of pet products had been rising healthily.

“There was a substantial group of superusers — people who treat their pets essentially like children and buy them very high-quality products,” Zhang explained. “This is a big change. When I was growing up, no one had dogs. But we have a huge and rising middle class in China today with disposable income. Owning pets is one way people are enriching their lives.”

Zhang set up a partnership with a dog marketing agency, creating an event where pet owners could bring their dogs to walk a red carpet in conjunction with the film. Lau, who splits his time between China and South Korea, remembers the film being so popular it earned a nickname.

“I didn’t even know the title of the movie, but everyone kept talking about ‘the dog movie,’” Lau said during a recent trip to LA, where he was trailed by a make-up artist, a hair stylist, his brother, multiple publicity representatives and a man documenting his activity for social media feeds.

“That’s what it was called. When I found out that I was doing the sequel, everyone was like, ‘The dog movie?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, dog movie 2!’ But there’s a lot of pressure because it did so well there. I think it’s because of the culture. The themes in this movie _ it talks about forgiveness, family, love — I think those are very powerful things, especially in China. Those are themes that every Chinese person can relate with.”

With Lau cast for ‘A Dog’s Journey’, Polone was busy making sure no further allegations of animal mistreatment would arise from the franchise. Instead of relying solely on American Humane _ the oft-criticised organisation tasked with ensuring “no animals were harmed” on Hollywood sets — the producer hired an additional animal supervisor, Jami LoVullo, who runs a non-profit called the Animal Protection Agency.

And though Amblin “was very wedded” to the animal trainers who had worked on ‘A Dog’s Purpose’, Polone said he persuaded the studio to hire new handlers in which he felt more confident. Finally, he made a key change at the top.

Lasse Hallstrom, the Oscar-nominated Swedish director who had helmed the first film, was not asked to return for the sequel. Referring to Hallstrom as a “giant [ expletive]” who was “insensitive and not prepared,” Polone sought a female filmmaker to lead ‘A Dog’s Journey’.

“I just think women are more sensitive to animals than men,” said Polone, adding that he didn’t care whether that’s controversial. “Even though the trainers on ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ weren’t bad people, they were men, and there’s a male thing; you become very goal-oriented and, like, ‘I’m gonna get this done.’ I think women are less that way and think more about what is going to be right and the feelings of the animals.”

Hallstrom did not respond to a request for comment.

Gail Mancuso, who has won two Emmys directing television series including ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Roseanne’, got the directing gig. Though ‘A Dog’s Journey’ marked her first time at the helm of a feature film, Mancuso had worked with animals before and has five dogs of her own. She said the film set was one of the “happiest” she’s ever worked on, with the crew erupting into applause for the dogs after each scene wrapped.

“We had so many animal representatives on the set watching with us while we were shooting, and the dogs had their own security teams,” Mancuso said, “just to make sure that they get from set to their trailers. It sounds silly. But I think it’s a great idea, now that I’ve seen it. ... I totally relied on the trainers to gauge how the dogs were doing. It’s not like they have to sit with us for the whole scene. They do little bits here and there, and we had doubles. If a dog was tired and they thought, ‘Let’s take a break,’ we took a break.”

Quaid, who worked on both films, is still insistent that no animal mistreatment occurred on ‘A Dog’s Purpose’. That’s why, in the wake of the 2017 controversy, he “went out and took the movie on my back and did the press for it, because I thought it was really wrong, what they were claiming.”

He said he asked Universal to show him footage of the alleged stunt-gone-wrong from all angles, including b-roll. After reviewing the camera shots, the actor said he felt there’d been “a big misrepresentation” promoted largely by PETA. “I think people were intimidated by that because they didn’t want to get seen on the wrong side of a politically correct issue.”

A lifelong dog lover who has brought his miniature English bulldog, Peaches, on the promotional circuit for ‘A Dog’s Journey’, Quaid said he’s glad the first film was able to reach an audience despite the flak it received. And he’s eager to go to China to promote the sequel, which does not yet have a release date in the country.

“I’m actually lobbying to go over there,” the actor said. “The last time I was there was 1978, when they just had oxcarts and bicycles. I’d love to see it now. China’s crazy about dogs.”

Don’t miss it!

‘A Dog’s Journey’ releases in the UAE on May 16.

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A Dog's Journey Trailer: The Sequel to A Dog's Purpose

Bailey the dog goes through multiple lives trying to find his true purpose in A Dog's Journey.

A Dog's Way Home opened earlier this month to decent box office. Many believed it was the successor to the hit 2017 family drama A Dog's Purpose . An easy mistake, the actual sequel is called A Dog's Journey , and it's in theaters this summer. So, yeah, it might suddenly feel like there are a ton of Dog movies coming out.

Today, we have the trailer and a poster for A Dog's Journey . It isn't deja vu. This is a wholly original family adventure that takes a strange spiritual turn and hints at doggy reincarnation. It's sure to be another crowd pleaser. But if you couldn't stand watching Marely kick the bucket, you might want to bring a whole box of Kleenex, as Bailey the dog is going to die multiple times. But it's all for a good purpose.

Some friendships transcend lifetimes. In A Dog's Journey , the sequel to the heartwarming global hit A Dog's Purpose , beloved dog Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond that will lead him, and the people he loves, to places they never imagined.

Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his "boy," Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Ethan's wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). He even has a new playmate: Ethan and Hannah's baby granddaughter, CJ. The problem is that CJ's mom, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), decides to take CJ away. As Bailey's soul prepares to leave this life for a new one, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost.

Thus begins Bailey's adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ (Kathryn Prescott), and CJ's best friend Trent (Henry Lau) experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and few really good belly rubs.

Directed by Emmy winner Gail Mancuso (TV's Modern Family ), A Dog's Journey is produced by Gavin Polone ( A Dog's Purpose ), and written by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon, and Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky, based on the best-selling novel by Cameron. The film, from Amblin Entertainment and Reliance Entertainment, in association with Walden Media and Alibaba Pictures, will be distributed by Universal Pictures domestically, and by Universal Pictures and Amblin Partners internationally.

A Dog's Purpose came under fire when some behind the scenes footage saw a dog being mistreated on set. PETA boycotted the film, but it still went onto become a substantial hit. It grossed $64 million domestically from a $22 million budget, making it a modest hit in the states. But the family adventure was huge in China, guaranteeing a sequel. The first movie brought in $140 million overseas, for a worldwide gross of $205 million. That has franchise written all over it, and as mentioned before, A Dog's Way Home certainly benefited, earning $30.7 million domestically before picking up $41.2 million worldwide off a $18 million budget, though it is not part of this particular saga.

Along with the trailer, Universal Pictures has also released several character posters that show each of Bailey's lives. What, does he think he's a cat?

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A Dog's Journey / A Dog's Purpose 2-Movie Collection [DVD]

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A Dog's Purpose

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog's Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The Hundred-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

A Dog's Journey

Some friendships transcend lifetimes. Picking up where A Dog's Purpose left off, Ethan's (Dennis Quaid) beloved dog Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) finds a new destiny: Protect Ethan's granddaughter CJ (Kathryn Prescott) at any cost. Bailey's adventure through multiple lives is filled with love, friendship and devotion as he and CJ experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and a few really good belly rubs.

More to love from the A Dog's Purpose series:

Product Description

A Dog's Journey: Picking up where A Dog's Purpose left off, Ethan's (Dennis Quaid) beloved dog Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) finds a new destiny: Protect Ethan's granddaughter CJ (Kathryn Prescott) at any cost. Bailey's adventure through multiple lives is filled with love, friendship and devotion as he and CJ experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and a few really good belly rubs. A Dog's Purpose: Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog's Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The Hundred-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Product details

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.39:1, 2.40:1
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.4 ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Various
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Subtitled
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 3 hours and 29 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ September 24, 2019
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Various
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Spanish, French
• Language ‏ : ‎ Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07TQYRTFR
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
• #359 in Kids & Family DVDs
• #445 in Comedy (Movies & TV)
• #539 in Drama DVDs

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Is A Dog’s Way Home a Sequel to A Dog’s Purpose?

Well, is it a sequel? Yes. And no. It’s also kind of a remake. I’ll get to that in a minute.

A Dog’s Way Home and A Dog’s Purpose , both written by W. Bruce Cameron, are intended as the first two parts in a “shared universe” dog trilogy. This is slated to culminate in A Dog’s Journey  later this year.

What both current movies have in common — besides, you know, dogs — is a desire to make their audiences cry. So if that doesn’t sound like a fun time, neither of these films are for you. At least try not to see them alone.

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One thing you might recall from A Dog’s Purpose is how the titular dog, in one of his lives, has a swim rescue scene where the actual canine actor almost drowned . That kind of terrifying real-life event can go on to sink a franchise, and the new movie will probably remind everyone of Peta’s Purpose movie boycott action: “No amount of spin from Hollywood will change the fact that being forced to do a terrifying stunt is not a dog’s purpose,” said PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange in a statement. “PETA is calling on kind people to boycott this film and send the message that animals should be treated humanely, not exploited as movie props.”

I mentioned above that A Dog’s Way Home  is also a remake, because the theme of ‘pet crossing the country to get home’ has already been told a few times on the big screen. The 1963 live action Disney film The Incredible Journey features a bull terrier, a lab mix, and a Siamese cat who band together to cross a vast distance and help each other through many dangers…and it’s still the film to beat.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) was a rebooted version with a few changes (this features the animals narrating, as does the one canine in A Dog’s Way Home ), but is essentially the same story.

I’m willing to bet W. Bruce Cameron saw both of these movies.  🙂

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Movie Review – A Dog’s Purpose – A Brutal Experience in Non-Stop Crying

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4 responses to “Is A Dog’s Way Home a Sequel to A Dog’s Purpose?”

[…] horror-series of doggy deaths and near-deaths that I lovingly/dismissively term The Dog Trilogy, I thought I’d recount the ways that “Bailey” — the St Bernard mix that […]

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[…] Is A Dog’s Way Home a Sequel to A Dog’s Purpose? […]

[…] relieved to say this heartrending three-movie schmaltz-fest is over. I did the Peetimes for each movie in the semi-trilogy, and was relieved that A Dog’s Journey made me cry the least. By which I mean I cried only […]

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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April 22, 2024: Prevention of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections

• A. The meningococcal type B (4CMenB) vaccine significantly reduced the rate of gonorrhea infections among men who have sex with men (MSM)
• B. Despite an increase in sexual risk among MSM and transgender women newly starting doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP), bacterial STI rates fell by approximately half in the Evaluation of Doxycycline Post-exposure Prophylaxis to Reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections in PrEP Users and HIV-infected Men Who Have Sex With Men study
• C. Doxycycline was present in the majority of hair samples collected among women in the dPEP-KE (Doxycycline PEP for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Kenyan Women Using HIV PrEP) study, suggesting that biologic factors explain the lack of doxy-PEP efficacy in women
• D. In the year after the implementation of doxy-PEP guidelines in San Francisco, rates of chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea in MSM and transgender women fell by half

Olympic and Paralympic Games

The NCAA’s footprint in the Olympics and Paralympics is massive - and continues to grow.

Every four years, hundreds of current and former NCAA athletes compete for their countries at the Olympics. Between the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, more than 1,000 current and former student-athletes from all three divisions competed for 100-plus countries.

College sports are especially valuable to Team USA. At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics alone, 75% of the U.S. Olympic team competed collegiately, with 82% of U.S. Olympic medalists having competed collegiately. 

To strengthen that pipeline, the NCAA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have maintained a cooperation agreement since 2019. The agreement has provided a mechanism for both organizations to pioneer initiatives to support Team USA student-athletes and strengthen the collegiate athletics ecosystem for generations to come.

The Olympians & Paralympians Made Here campaign was created through the partnership to enhance Olympic and Paralympic sport programming at the collegiate level. Developed with the USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council, the campaign serves to elevate national engagement and support of Olympic and Paralympic sport opportunities on campus.

Throwback ?? NCAA athletes at the @TeamUSA Media Summit! #OlympiansMadeHere x #ParalympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/Rd8MOg3X7v — NCAA (@NCAA) April 20, 2024

From college mats to Team USA trials, more than 50 schools from all three @NCAAWrestling Divisions have athletes competing in #WrestlingTrials24 ?? Competition kicks off TODAY at Bryce Jordan Center. #MTUSA I @USAWrestling pic.twitter.com/ySFBijur3U — Team USA College (@TeamUSACollege) April 19, 2024

9?? different schools will be represented on Team USA this summer ???? pic.twitter.com/Bg5Iq77wRv — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 17, 2024

In the News

3 events, website planned as part of Para-College Inclusion Project

First up: wheelchair basketball at Women’s Final Four in Cleveland

Joyner-Kersee embraces lessons learned on journey to athletic dominance

4-time Olympian, 2-time NCAA champion reflects on athletic achievements and service to her community

Olympic pipeline of college sports helping more women reach Team USA

Women's participation in the Olympics will come full circle at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, hosting for the third time in history. 

NCAA, USOPC release new Olympian Made Here video

The NCAA and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee have partnered to release a second video celebrating the critical connection between college sports and the U.S. Olympic team. The 30-second spot is set to run during March Madness and future NCAA championship broadcasts.

Former Division II runner reflects on the journey that will take her to Paris

Before the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February, Dakotah Lindwurm told her father to go get his passport. "I let him know, 'I am going to Paris,'" she said. "'I am going to make it, so you have to go get your passport.'

Women’s wrestling moves toward NCAA championship status, projected for winter 2026

Committee on Women’s Athletics recommends three divisions sponsor legislation to add sport as national collegiate championship

NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award Winner: Anita DeFrantz

Former Olympian and lifelong advocate to be honored at NCAA Convention

Over 400 NCAA athletes designated as elite by USOPC, sports governing bodies

Elite legislation permits additional training flexibility, resources

Gold medal winner heads into third season while preparing for Paris Olympics

Olympic gold medalist and Oregon State standout Jade Carey is trying to change the narrative that high-level gymnasts must choose between an elite-level career and college athletics. 

Countdown to 2024 Summer Olympics hits 1-year mark

NCAA, USOPC continue to build on pipeline of athletes produced through college sports

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Senate Approves Aid for Ukraine and Israel, Sending It to Biden’s Desk

The overwhelming bipartisan vote for the long-stalled $95.3 billion aid package capped a tortured journey for the legislation on Capitol Hill. President Biden is expected to quickly sign it.

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Senate Passes $95.3 Billion Aid Package

The bipartisan bill includes $60.8 billion for ukraine; $26.4 billion for israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including gaza; and $8.1 billion for the indo-pacific region..

“On this vote, the yeas are 79. The nays are 18. The motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 815 is agreed to.” “Today, the Senate sends a unified message to the entire world. America will always defend democracy in its hour of need. We tell our allies, we will stand with you. We tell our adversaries, don’t mess with us. We tell the world, we will do everything to defend democracy and our way of life.” “For months, our friends have watched to see whether America still had the strength that won the Cold War or the resolve that has underpinned peace and prosperity literally for decades. Our enemies have tested whether the arsenal of democracy is, in fact, built to endure. Well, tonight, the Senate will send a clear message.”

By Catie Edmondson

Reporting from the Capitol

The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday night to give final approval to a $95.3 billion package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending it to President Biden and ending months of uncertainty about whether the United States would continue to back Kyiv in its fight against Russian aggression.

The vote reflected resounding bipartisan support for the measure, which passed the House on Saturday by lopsided margins after a tortured journey on Capitol Hill, where it was nearly derailed by right-wing resistance. The Senate’s action, on a vote of 79 to 18, provided a victory for the president, who had urged lawmakers to move quickly so he could sign it into law.

And it capped an extraordinary political saga that raised questions about whether the United States would continue to play a leading role in upholding the international order and projecting its values globally.

“Our allies around the world have been watching Congress for the last six months and wondering the same thing: When it matters most, will America summon the strength to come together, overcome the centrifugal pull of partisanship and meet the magnitude of the moment?” Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said on Tuesday. “Tonight, under the watchful eye of history, the Senate answers this question with a thunderous and resounding ‘yes.’”

In a statement minutes after the vote, Mr. Biden said he would sign the bill into law “and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.”

“Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: We stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression,” he said.

The House passed the package on Saturday in four pieces: a measure for each of the three U.S. allies and another meant to sweeten the deal for conservatives that includes a provision that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok. It sent the legislation to the Senate as a single package that required only one up-or-down vote to pass.

Facing vehement opposition from his right flank to aiding Ukraine, Speaker Mike Johnson structured the legislation that way in the House to capture different coalitions of support without allowing opposition to any one element to defeat the whole thing. The majority of House Republicans opposed the aid for Kyiv.

The components of the bill are nearly identical to one that passed the Senate with bipartisan support in February. It includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine; $26.4 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza; and $8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to the package of sweeteners, which also includes new rounds of sanctions on Iranian and Russian officials, the House added provisions to direct the president to seek repayment from the Ukrainian government of $10 billion in economic assistance. That was a nod to a call by former President Donald J. Trump to make any further aid to Kyiv a loan. But the bill allows the president to forgive those loans starting in 2026.

Nine Republicans who opposed the Senate-passed aid legislation in February supported the bill this time. When Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma changed his vote on Tuesday, this time agreeing to advance the legislation, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, gave him a thumbs-up on the Senate floor.

“Seventy-five percent of the bill, the total funding, stays within the United States,” Mr. Mullin said on Newsmax, explaining his support for the bill. “That’s what a lot of people don’t realize. This goes to our defense industry; this goes to replenishing our munitions.”

Fifteen hard-right Republican senators who oppose aid to Ukraine voted against the legislation. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who opposed the measure but was one of three Republicans who did not vote on final passage, argued that Congress was “rushing to further bankroll the waging of a war that has zero chance of a positive outcome.”

“Pouring more money into Ukraine’s coffers will only prolong the conflict and lead to more loss of life,” Mr. Tuberville said. “No one at the White House, Pentagon or State Department can articulate what victory looks like in this fight. They couldn’t when we sent the first tranche of aid over two years ago. We should be working with Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to this madness.”

Three liberals, Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Peter Welch of Vermont, as well as Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, also opposed the measure. They said they could not endorse sending more offensive weapons to Israel when the government’s campaign in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people and created a hunger crisis there.

“We are now in the absurd situation where Israel is using U.S. military assistance to block the delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinians,” Mr. Sanders said. “If that is not crazy, I don’t know what is. But it is also a clear violation of U.S. law. Given that reality, we should not today even be having this debate. It is illegal to continue current military aid to Israel, let alone send another $9 billion with no strings attached.”

But the vast majority of senators in both parties supported the legislation, and Senate leaders regarded its passage as a triumph, particularly given the opposition to aid for Ukraine that had built up in the House.

For months, Mr. Johnson and right-wing Republicans in the House had refused to entertain aid to Ukraine unless Mr. Biden agreed to stringent measures to curtail immigration on the U.S. border with Mexico. When Senate Democrats agreed this year to legislation that paired the aid with stiffer border enforcement provisions , Mr. Trump denounced it and Republicans rejected it out of hand.

Then the Senate passed its own $95 billion emergency aid legislation for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan without any immigration measures, ramping up political pressure on the House to do the same. For weeks, the message to Mr. Johnson from Mr. Schumer and Mr. McConnell had been the same: Pass the Senate bill.

In extensive remarks on the Senate floor on Tuesday before the procedural vote, Mr. McConnell cast congressional approval of the aid package as “a test of American resolve, our readiness and our willingness to lead.” He rebuked the naysayers in his party, criticizing those who, he said, would “indulge the fantasy of pulling up a drawbridge.”

“Make no mistake: Delay in providing Ukraine the weapons to defend itself has strained the prospects of defeating Russian aggression,” Mr. McConnell said. “Dithering and hesitation have compounded the challenges we face. Today’s action is overdue, but our work does not end here. Trust in American resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding and restocking the arsenal of democracy doesn’t just happen by magic.”

Ukrainian officials cheered the impending passage of the bill.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, posted a photograph on social media of lawmakers holding American flags inside the chamber in Kyiv, in “gratitude to the United States and to every member of the House of Representatives who supported the Ukraine Aid Bill. We look forward to a similar decision from the Senate.”

“The United States has been and remains a strategic partner that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in our fight against the russian aggressor!” Mr. Stefanchuk added.

The photograph recalled the scene on the floor of the House on Saturday when Democrats waved miniature Ukrainian flags as they voted for the aid bill. They were rebuked by Mr. Johnson and other Republicans, who called it a violation of decorum and said that only American flags should be displayed in the chamber.

Lara Jakes contributed reporting from Rome.

Catie Edmondson covers Congress for The Times. More about Catie Edmondson

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

Chasiv Yar, a small Ukrainian town, has been under relentless attack by Russian forces. Controlling the town  would put them in striking distance of key Ukrainian operational and supply centers.

The United States secretly shipped a new long-range missile system  to Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces immediately used the weapons to attack a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian troops in the country’s southeast.

For residents of Ukraine’s second-largest city, daily Russian attacks have escalated fears  but have not brought life to a standstill. Here’s how a battered city  carries on.

Images From Year Three of the War: For all that time, photographers with The New York Times and other news organizations have chronicled the war , capturing a slice of how soldiers and civilians have experienced it. Some images will never leave them.

Nato’s Show of Force: About 90,000 NATO troops have been training in Europe for the Great Power war that most hope will never come : a clash between Russia and the West with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Resuming U.S. Military Aid: Weapons from the support package, considered “a lifeline” for Ukraine’s military , could be arriving on the battlefield within days . But experts say it could take weeks before there is a direct impact on the war . What would $60 billion buy ?

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .