Good grief
'Goodboy' takes tender look at loss through lens of joy, humor and shedding taboos

Warning: the following is a bad news/good news type of story. First, the bad news: all of us with loving pets will have to face that day when our heart is ripped out of our chests as we say goodbye. (We’ll allow a moment to wipe your eyes.)

But – now for the good news. It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, according to Carbondale filmmaker Ashley Mosher.

Mosher will be in town this Saturday to screen her latest documentary, “Goodboy,” detailing her own end-of-doggie life experience with her beloved chocolate lab, Kenya.

Kenya, who was an adoptee and lived to the ripe doggie age of 16, was Mosher’s first dog. Thus, it was the first time she was forced to grapple with the dreaded “how do I know when it’s time for him to go?” question.

“I originally made this film because this was the first time I had gone through this loss myself,” she said. “This was something no one told me about but something we need to talk about.”

Mosher said the film is not meant to be a “doggie downer” (although tissues are recommended). Rather, the goal is to open up the discussion and remove taboos on death and dying. In addition to the end of life of her dog, the film also follows Mosher as she deals with the death of her father.

“We’re terrified of coming to the end of our lives, but in the meantime, we’re screwing up how we live our daily lives,” she said.

Mosher said the film is about being present and finding a way to embrace and celebrate the end of life, whether a human or animal. And she promises the story is told with a tender and uplifting tone.

“If I’m at all a good filmmaker, then it won’t be ­depressing,” she said. “It’s an adventure, told with humor, curiosity, beauty and color. At the end of the day, this story is about joy and love.”

“Goodboy” shows from 4-6 p.m., Sat., Sept. 21, at Durango High School. A panel including Mosher will follow. Proceeds benefit the La Plata County Humane Society.

For a trailer of the film, go to: www.goodboythemovie.com.