Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004) - full transcript

A seeing-eye dog is trained...

to safely guide the blind

One morning, five puppies were born
at the home of Ms. Mito

Mr. Tawada?

It's Mito from Tokyo

Labradors are either pure black
or white, however...

One of the puppies had a spot on
its belly, very unusual for a Labrador

This was Quill

Hello, Mr. Tawada? This is Mito

Good puppy...

Hello, Mito here



May I speak with Chief Tawada?

Mr. Tawada?

I've 5 new born labradors and I'd like
my puppies trained as guide dogs

Impossible. The mom is too ordinary

The qualities we are looking for...

are hereditary

Slowly...

Are you sharing?

Behave...

Hello, Mr. Tawada. It's Mito again

OK, you win. But just one

Mr. Tawada...

How do I choose which one?
They're all so smart

Try calling them



Come!

Come!

Good puppies!

There's technique in choosing
potential guide dogs

The ones that come right away are out
Those are too active

The right one is the one that...
stops and looks as if to ask

"What's the fuss?"

You are not... an ordinary puppy

So be good!

This was Quill's first parting

Here it is

Thanks

All papers are done. Made it alive?

When it's 45 days old and ready to
leave its mother the puppy is brought...

to the "puppy walkers" before
it's taken to the training centre

They're volunteers who raise
puppies till their first birthday

Like foster parents
Puppies will learn to be humans' friends

First there was R for "Ran",
then J for "Jonah"...

Let's use Q for the 3rd one

Good idea!

Q for... Q-taro!

They must also give the puppy a name

Quill: Large stiff feather

Very cool

Quill

Qoo!

Qoo!

Scared? Unhappy?

I feel the same way

They are very excited to welcome Quill

Here we are!

Looks a bit tired

It's the drugs for the flight

What's this cross?

It's a spot

Looks like a flying bird

Indeed

You shouldn't scold this puppy

Why is that?

It's not the right way to teach puppies

This is your home, Qoo

And this is the garden

Under their loving care...

the puppy will learn...

to love and trust humans
and to be humans' friends

He's waking up

This is the first game Quill learned

Puppies grow remarkably
fast at this age

Qoo!

Hey, Qoo!

Qoo, come!

I'm off

Let's see daddy off

A puppy's job is to sleep

Look, Qoo!

Cherry trees. They're beautiful in spring

This year particularly

Three months later Quill can go out

Qoo!

Those are girls

Pretty girls. Like me, a long time ago

And this...

is...

What's so funny?

That's a snake!

Don't get up...

Sleep tight...

Hush, hush!

Pea the Bear is Qoo's first pal

Qoo's fascinated by Pea's squeak

Qoo also met his first enemy

A week to heal...

in frilled lizard-style

I'm going

Watch the nose!

Let's go home

What's the matter?

What?

Qoo, dinner!

Sit!

Good!

Let's clean the hands before dinner!

Oh, snow!

Qoo, this is snow

You can play with it

It's winter

When spring comes, Quill will turn one...

and will leave his foster parents

Cherry trees

Beautiful

That day they walked longer...
farther, and really slowly

Their hearts sank as they walked

Tired, Qoo?

What's so funny?

What do you know?
You'll be leaving. We'll miss you

Happy first birthday!

Let's go

With sad eyes, he was asking:

"Why are you leaving me?"
"Why aren't you coming with me?"

This was Quill's second parting

Come!

Once again!

OK, go!

Come!

Quill's new life at the training center

Only those who do well
become guide dogs

OK, dinner! Bon appetite!

Oh, he fell for it!

Easily distracted by food

Test of dog's aptitude

All of you...

must work harder!

Pascal - very sensitive to sound

Poggie - barks, easily excited

Quill -

Well, just normal

Morning exercise is also essential

Come!

Next, obedience training

What's wrong? No!

Up!

Up!

No!

Good!

What a cool spot you have on your belly

And quite a handsome muzzle

Long legs too

How about a walk?

Heel, come...

That's it. Come

Good, good

This harness is your necktie

Once it's on, you're on duty

Taste good?

You like it?

Next, road training

This...

is a curb. Curb

Learn it

Good dog! And here...

is a corner. Corner

Left, go!

This is an obstacle

Obstacle

Obstacle. Learn it

Go around it. Good!

Curb, corner, obstacle
Remember these!

You'll become a guide dog. Once again

You missed this one. Come

Watch for the obstacle!

Go!

Good!

Good dog!

Now what?

Good. Go straight

Go right

The cabbage. Are you listening?

Look at the stalk!

If the stalk is yellowish, press the leaves

The leaves must be crispy

Got it? Etsuo?

This will be Quill's partner
and he's my father

Etsuo!

Hey, Etsuo!

Mr. Watanabe

Oh, Chief!

Stinking of dog, as usual

The dog's with me

Why do you bring with your dog?

Training. Handlers go shopping too

I'd rather stay home than be
pulled around by a mutt

Got the cabbage!

Is it crispy?

Definitely!

My brother, Etsuo. He loves dogs

Let's go, Estuo

Let's pay

Let's go!

Quill might not have thought this
weird man would be his partner

Will you please learn? Curb!

See!

Chief!

Phone!

OK

Good dog

Down! Wait!

As he waited, he fell asleep

He dreamt of his old pal, Pea

Curb

Right, go!

You?

Up

Oh!

I see

Up! Good!

You've been waiting all this time?

He has the patience

Very good

Quill got much praise

Waiting quietly is an important
job for a guide dog

My dad is head of the local society
for people with disabilities

Let's go

Excuse me

Mr. Watanabe!

Oh, Chief

What's with the "go go"?

Will you try walking with a dog?

Go away, I'm busy

Must be at the city hall by 3 p.m.

More appeals for beeping stoplights...

and textured blocks

No time to waste

You'll be late

Shut up!

With the dog, it'll take 5 minutes

Five minutes?

Impossible!

No, the other way

OK, relax

Don't be afraid

I'm not

His hand was shaking

Are we moving or what?

Let's go. Hold the lead

Qoo, straight, go!

Off we go

Relax

You're a born handler

Of course

Learned the stick in just 8 months

OK, careful

Very good

This was dad's first walk with Quill

He was a bit shaky

Why stop?

He's saying there's a corner

Stopped again

Left

He stops again

Do you know why?

Sure, I know my way around

Of course

How can I get there on time?

Go! Go!

See! The dog disobeys...

if the commands put you in danger

Hang on!

It's too fast

Slow down, damn it!

OK, we're here, it's ten to three

Hey!

I have an appeal for...

beeping traffic lights

I'll take care of it

How'd it feel?

Too fast

I'd bet you used to walk even faster

That night, dad bumped into
a parked truck...

and got injured

Excuse me

This is Peter

I've been waiting for you!

Let's go!

The final stage is training with
the dog and its handler

Oliver is here!

Good

Together...

they spend a month learning
to work as a team

I'm coming in

How about some light?

This is your bed

I'll leave Quill to you!

Come on!

What?

"Skin-ship" is important

I can't touch him

You must!

Take him to pooh too

I'll leave the lead here

My dad had decided to get a guide dog

Pooh, pooh

Are you done?

Come on!

Hurry up!

Done?

Slowly

Good, good

Rhythm!

Step, step, ok!

Keep going

Careful

Easy

Very good

Turn left there

Right, go!

I said left!

Why English?

Because Japanese can be confusing

Man and dog made for an odd couple

Quill, stop

3, 2, 1, curb

Praise him!

Good!

I said "praise", not "scare"

Men started using dogs as
guides for the blind...

a long, long time ago...

Are you listening?

Hmm

Sorry. It's hard to tell if you're dozing

Indeed

In Italy, in the city destroyed...

by Mt. Vesuvius...

Pompeii!

A drawing was found...

of a man, guided by a dog...

Looks like the two do share
some common interest

You're hurting him

He said "skin-ship"

"Sharing of feelings through
physical contact"

It's Japanese-made English

What?

I've looked it up from the dictionary

This is a one-way street

Let the dog guide you

You want to buy a beer?

May I?

Of course. This is not a prison

I'll pass

Right. Let's save it for...

the graduation ceremony

Better a stroll, than alcohol

Well said!

Bravo!

OK, let's go

Ms. Kamata, you go first

You next, Mr. Totsuka

What a nice breeze!

Cool

24 or 25?

What?

Your age

You sound like you're 24

Say something else

She's almost 25

Oh, you're here

Try your lines with Quill

Go, Quill! See the girl? The girl!

Very good

The final exam

Straight, go!

Careful

Careful

No!

Not his fault

He warned you

Listen to the dog!

You don't know!

What?

What it's like to be blind

What do you want to say?

I know many blind people...

but you know only yourself

You may know many...

but you have no idea how it feels

Good, be careful

Are you ok?

Are you hurt?

Graduation day

To Tokyo, Peter!

We'll go to Takeshita Street

Handler Certificate

Then, we'll go to the famous
Kyoto temples...

and Nijo Castle...

with the famous "nightingale"
floorboards

Take care of him, Oliver

You must be accompanied by one of us
When you go out for the first week.

Dad failed the exam

Mr. Watanabe!

Where to?

Practice

It's dark

It's always dark for me

Don't leave the Center

Quill

Very good. Turn left

Quill

I fancy a beer. Which one?

This one?

Must be this one

Damn it!

No Braille

It's not beer

Last try

What?

Not this one?

OK, I'll do as you say

Bingo!

Good!

Very Good!

Walk straight and turn right

Etsuo!

Dad's training was finally over

Congratulations

Thanks...

for everything

Quill!

Congrats!

Extend the right leg forward

Point to the direction

Quill's first step as a guide dog

Go straight

Go straight, very good

This is our home

Dad's using English

What?

Steps, very good

Welcome home

Hey, meet Quill

Hello, Quill

It's that dog. With the cross

It's a spot. A quill

We made him a house

Right, go!

It's so small

Do we have to rebuild it?

Mom's no good with dogs

I had no idea... it'd be that big

We can rebuild it

As long as he likes it, it's fine

Welcome back

Back up

Quill's first night in our home

Etsuo

Put this on

Go away!

Etsuo has been throwing a tantrum
as he wet his bed last night

Hey, Quill

Etsuo wet his bed last night

and is now throwing a tantrum

We always tell him to peet
before going to bed

Wash the mattress, Etsuo!

His face changed

Of course. This is his work face
no matter what

He cannot bark

nor pee nor pooh...

Let that be a lesson to you, Etsuo

Quill, let's go!

That's a lie

He pees secretly

Dad just can't see it

But he has to stop to pee

Dad would notice

I bet he poohs walking

That's it! We'll be late

Fool!

He's as stubborn as his father

Keep walking! I know my way

Dad refused to listen to Quill

That day's incident was a major jam

It's ok

Walk straight

Good morning, Mr. Watanabe!

Mornin', right, go!

OK, wait!

Almost there...

Mr. Watanabe!

Oh, Chief!

First walk was a success

Awesome

It's so exciting!

Shush!

I told you not to go on your own
in the first week!

Ah

You'll get killed

Quill too

Do it again and you lose the dog

Don't be bothered, Quill!

Center for People with Disabilities

My dad's workplace

And now, Quill's too

So warm

Like velvet

He's unlike other dogs

Lucky you!

Is it hard...

to look after him?

No

It's really easy because...

he's so smart.

Tell him "Go!"

In English?

Of course

Japanese can be confusing

OK, Quill. "Straight, go!"

Well?

We're moving...

but too fast

I bet you used to walk even faster

Hey!

Where'd he go?

Down the hall...

Come!

What are you up to?

Quill?

Hey, Quill?

Hello, everyone!

Hello!

I feel a touch of spring as...

the aroma of the laurel blossoms...

floats in the warm air

This is the voice bulletin...

Damn!

That night was raining hard

Okay

This is the voice bulletin!

Quill, don't! Stop it!

Voice and editor - Watanabe

Don't!

Let go!

On side A of this tape...

Stop it!

Let go!

Quiet!

What are you doing?

He was wet

He's my dog. He'll let me know
if he needs an umbrella!

Mind your own business!

Stupid dog!

Quill thought dad didn't care about him
That night, Quill ran away

You here?

Well?

Is it yours?

Thanks for your call

Qoo!

Let's go!

Dad was worried to death

You fool!

To apologize, Etsuo offered Quill a treat

How about a drink?

Mr. Quill, you work like a dog
day in, day out

I can see why you'd want to run off

Help yourself

It's just leftovers

Go ahead

Try it

Please

Good dog!

I'm home

Qoo!

Hide, hide!

Oh, you're home, you should answer...

You're back!

You should say "you both are back!"

Etsuo...

What are you...

up to?

You let the dog in!

Answer me!

It's really hot outside

He must be suffering

Let him cool off

Is that ok?

Of course

Right, Etsuo?

Here, Qoo!

You've to say "Come!"

Well, come...

Qoo, do as you're told!

We're almost at the top

Level with the clouds

Are you ok?

I'm fine!

Tell us if it's too tough

Cheers!

Oliver can turn off the lights

Don't teach him such tricks

Quill can pose for pictures. Right?

Seems to know his "good" side

My dog does it too

Oliver too

Really?

When I get lost, Quill takes me home

Right?

Yes, comes and even leaves
home as he pleases

Leaves home?

No, no. She means...

I let him go out to have some fun

Silly!

Hold on

It's been a while...

Yes, thanks to Quill

Indeed

Your arm's so thick

Yoshiko!

Yoshiko!

Go straight. The fifth door on the left

That was my parents' first trip
since my father went blind

But was also the last

What are you doing?

No, stop it!

Quiet, quiet!

Stop it! No!

My hands aren't free, you know?!

Party's over!

Go to sleep!

Enough!

I can't see

Get off me! Down!

Down, down!

Voice bulletin

Sound map of the city

Let's walk down this quiet street

Left

There's a nice scent in the air

Right

Is it the scent of lilies?

I can't tell

That was Quill sneezing

And yonder, we have...

Kuwayama Shrine

Let's rest for a while

The recklessness of his youth...

had taken its toll on his health

I feel much better

Late autumn...

beset by my diabetes

But dad never stopped working

Space

You made a mistake

Did I?

Why can't you get it right?

Sorry

Let the letters convey your emotions

Once written, then they make sense

Mr Watanabe, still hanging in there?

Oh, Chief!

I'm on my last legs

Sit

Very good

For you

Asiatic lilies

Two for 200 yen

Etsuo

Your father wants to see you

Just me?

Just you

You're taking Qoo?

Till your dad gets well

Won't be for long

Dad got sick...

and Quill had to leave us

It was the end of our second
autumn with Quill

OK! Go!

Very good

While he was waiting for dad,
Quill worked...

in guide dog demonstrations

Quill kept waiting and waiting

Three years passed since he left us

Dad was in and out of hospital
until one day...

Quill heard the familiar footsteps

Come!

Ok, go!

How've you been?

Good, let's go

Qoo, stop

That's enough

Their last walk together...

was only 30 meters

Great voice

And very loud too

Idiot!

He was a strong man

Says he was a good man

Liked to give lectures

And never left you alone

Had to know everything...

and always had advice

Busybody!

Etsuo!

He came

Qoo

Quill?

You can't go...

ahead of...

the dog

Quill's eyes were fixed on my father

He must have thought
he was just asleep

You know what? You may be...

just a regular guide dog...

but you were the best

That was Quill's third parting

Seven years later

Quill never worked as
a guide dog again

He lived in the center as a
demonstration dog till he turned 11

He was sent back to his foster parents

Let's go in the garden!

Quill had remembered everything

As if he had never left them

That's how it felt

Qoo...

You don't have to leave anymore

Do you remember?

We parted here...

on your first birthday

Now we'll go wherever you want to go

Since he came back, Quill led...

a quiet and relaxed life

A year went by

Go back to sleep

Qoo...

It hurts...

We're with you

It's time

Thank you, Quill

It's time to rest

Hush, hush...

Hush, hush...

When you get to heaven,
let them know you are...

our Quill

Farewell Quill

Quill died aged 12 years and 25 days

Farewell Quill