Filmmaker will contribute a portion of the movie’s earnings to the Butte animal shelter

Butte, Montana – A Montana filmmaker will give the Chelsea Bailey Animal in Butte a share of the revenues from his most recent movie.

“The entire premise of the film is community, and making sure we’re connected to each community where the film is opening is essential. It just felt like the right thing to do,” said actor and filmmaker Rob Grabow.

The Montana-produced movie Year of the Dog was written, co-directed, and starred Bozeman resident Grabow.

It’s about an alcoholic who uses a dog to help him fight his way to sobriety. A real rescue dog named Caleb plays the role of the husky.

“Caleb was passed between homes because the owners kept saying he was too much dog to handle or he was too wild and those characteristics they labeled him as were exactly what made him so wonderful on camera,” said Grabow.

Grabow will donate 5% of the revenue from the premiere at the Washoe Theater in Anaconda to the animal shelter in Butte.

“How cool is that! I mean, that’s the thing about rescue animal is they’re perfect, they’re perfect pets, you don’t have to go out and buy a breed animal, you just come to your local shelter, go anywhere, and find your best friend,” said Animal Services Coordinator Lynette Hogart.

I can’t help but make the analogy between an addicted person who feels unwelcome and the redeeming value of a rescue dog that no one wanted.

“Yes, yes, yes, and I think that’s it. And I think it’s a nice reminder that we can’t discard people because they’re struggling or because they’re in pain and we can’t discard animals because there are things about them we may find challenging,” said Grabow.

On the movie, several Butte residents also contributed.

On February 24 at 7 o’clock, the Washoe Theater in Anaconda will host the world premiere of Year of the Dog.