The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility

I Want a Dog

In this animated short by Sheldon Cohen, young May wants a dog more than anything else in the world. She thinks about dogs all the time; she talks about them, reads about them and covers the walls of her bedroom with dog pictures. But every time she asks her parents for a puppy, they tell her to wait till she's older. But sticking to her motto of "If at first you don’t succeed, try again," May comes up with an ingenious idea to change her parents' minds. Based on the book by Dayal Kaur Khalsa.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.

Details

In this animated short by Sheldon Cohen, young May wants a dog more than anything else in the world. She thinks about dogs all the time; she talks about them, reads about them and covers the walls of her bedroom with dog pictures. But every time she asks her parents for a puppy, they tell her to wait till she's older. But sticking to her motto of "If at first you don’t succeed, try again," May comes up with an ingenious idea to change her parents' minds. Based on the book by Dayal Kaur Khalsa.

Literature and Language - Canada Literature and Language Animals All subjects
Animation for Kids Based on Children's Books All channels
  • direction
    Sheldon Cohen
  • narration
    Marnie McPhail
  • vocals
    Neko Case
  • original music
    Zander Ary
  • guitar
    Zander Ary
  • programming
    Zander Ary
  • backup vocals
    Zander Ary
  • animation
    Sheldon Cohen
    Jo Meuris
  • additional animation
    Derek Douglas
    Jean-Michel Labrosse
    Michael Kwant
    Daniela Strijleva
  • background re-creation artist
    Jon Gasco
  • layout assistant
    Leslie Bank
  • infographics
    Jon Gasco
  • digital camera
    Jon Gasco
  • infography assistance
    Michel Provençal
    Itsik Romano
  • digital imaging consultation
    Susan Gourley
    Normand Gauthier
  • editing
    Sheldon Cohen
  • technical assistance
    Phyllis Lewis
    Jo Meuris
    Michel Pelland
  • editing assistant
    Phyllis Lewis
    Jo Meuris
    Michel Pelland
  • sound effects
    Normand Roger
    Pierre Yves Drapeau
  • foley
    Normand Roger
    Pierre Yves Drapeau
  • music recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
    Sylvain Cajelais
  • production coordination
    Richard Lesage
    Andrée Lachapelle
  • program administration
    Gisèle Guilbault
    Elaine Largie
  • executive producer
    David Verrall
  • producer
    Marcy Page

Education

Ages 6 to 13
Study Guide
Guide 1
School subjects
English Language Arts - Children's Stories/Fables Family Studies/Home Economics - Adulthood Health/Personal Development - Human Growth and Development
In an oral discussion with Kindergarten children, ask how they would convince their parents to let them have a dog. If they already have one, then they should respond about something else they desire. Grades 1–3 can also answer the same question in a journal. Ask students to respond to the following question: Could May have used something besides a roller-skate to show how well she could take care of a pet?

More educational content

I Want a Dog
Purchase options
Also available
DVD
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licensing information
Download-to-own (DTO) licence detail
Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted.

Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.)

Institutional licence

To purchase an institutional licence or to buy a film that is not available for DTO or VOD on the platform, please contact us.

The institutional price includes the rights to screen the film in institutional settings and at free public screenings.

Additional instructions

DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices.

Explore