My Life as a Dog is a contemporary, half-hour Canadian TV series that aired in 1996 and ran for 22 episodes. It was based on the 1985 Swedish movie of the same name and developed for Canadian television by, among others, Reidar Jönsson, author of the original autobiographical book. It is the coming of age story of a young boy, brutally dragged away from his familiar universe into an unknown world. Though aimed at teens, it has been rated above the usual "infantile sitcoms". The series was shot on location in Winnipeg and Gimli, Manitoba. It was directed by Neill Fearnley and produced by Atlantis Films Limited and Credo Entertainment Group.
The Arrival
Sep 8, 1996
Eric has to go to Gimli to live with his uncle, whom he's never met with before. He believes that a dog, Jack is bringing him bad luck as he travels to Gimli. When he thinks that he had killed his aunt, he runs away. But Johnny (uncle) and Zoe (aunt) are worried at his disappearance.
Stranded
Sep 15, 1996
Eric, Sam, and A.J. have some fun by riding a home-made raft out to sea, but they are marooned on a tiny island.
Root Of All Evil
Sep 22, 1996
A.J. and Eric start working at the Gimli Theatre as part-time jobs, while suddenly, they discover a hidden box full of cash. A.J. uses some of the money to buy a pair of black biker boots (which she has been dreaming of) while Eric must struggle with his conscience to do what's right.
Smelly's Dark Secret
Sep 29, 1996
Eric develops a toothache and refuses to go to the dentist. While searching on the internet, A.J. and Eric suspect that Rupert Smedley (assistant manager of the Seaside Hotel in Gimli) might be a murderer.
Tribe
Oct 6, 1996
After Eric is rejected when he volunteered to fix what was wrong with Johnny's car, he travels to the beach where he bumps into second cousin Chris Johansson. Eric learns of a peculiar 'Rite of Passage' which only the hardiest in Gimli have tackled -- climbing the water tower.
A Day In The Life
Oct 13, 1996
Auntie Auntie uses Rasputin (pickeral who escaped her fish hook for years) to win the Pickeral Contest. Bringing Eric along, he is then left behind with the boat when Auntie Auntie leaves. When Johnny arrives, two young women challenges Johnny to a boat race. He uses Auntie Auntie's boat to race and accidentally damages it. They must fix the boat before the Mayor returns. As they repaired the propeller, they run into a pair of bird watchers who challenge Eric to a game of bowling.
Great Expectations
Oct 20, 1996
A.J. decides to hack into the school computers and change Eric's grade to all A's when Eric is worried that he may not receive good marks at his school due to the fact that he was home-schooled.
Profile Of The Artist
Oct 27, 1996
For a school project, both Eric and George chose the same local artist to do a career profile on. When the teacher decides to team them up, and Eric starts having trouble with George's allergies and the artist's reluctance to talk with them after a critical difference of opinion. Meanwhile, Johnny must prepare a speech for the mayor.
The Fugitive
Nov 3, 1996
A.J.'s parents send their daughter to private boarding school when they believe A.J. is causing too much trouble at her public school. She soon runs away. When Johnny brings home a real caboose to stick in the backyard, Zoe has some complaints. Eric uses it to create a brand of 'tree house' and the run-away A.J. uses it for her private sanctuary.
Widgeon
Nov 10, 1996
When Eric discovers a rare Eurasian Widgeon, he is worried that poachers will go after it. Meanwhile, Johnny must deal with his own emotions as he struggles on how to tell Eric that his mother's ashes have arrived.
Once They Get A Taste
Nov 17, 1996
Eric decides to defend Jack the Dog from prosecution when the dog is believed to be killing chickens all evidence points to Jack.
The Puck Stops Here
Nov 24, 1996
Johnny joins the Gimli Ghosts by coaching the pee-wee hockey team, and when Eric is made the goalie of the team, he is in trouble because he does not know how to skate.
Soap Gets In Your Eyes
Dec 1, 1996
Eric is all-agog when his favourite soap actress, Courtney Vine, comes to her hometown of Gimli. Johnny knew her as little Cathy Hicks, who dumped him for an 'older man' (a 13-year-old) when they were kids. However, Courtney's career is waning and she decides to spice up her ratings by creating gossip where there is none -- and threatens Johnny's marriage.
Gimli Marathon
Dec 8, 1996
Maritial problems brings Johnny and Zoe not talking to each other, and Johnny moves into the caboose. Eric is worried and he has to get them back together and enrol them in the annual ""Anything-Goes-Gimli Marathon,"" which Johnny and Zoe have won for years.
The Why? Files
Dec 15, 1996
Eric, Sam and AJ discover a meteorite that appears to have strange effects on whoever is exposed to it. A pair of mysterious figures (who they believe are aliens) in white emerges and pursues them for that meteorite. Eric decides to use the meteorite to patch up the differences between his aunt and uncle.
Beauty And The Zit
Dec 22, 1996
A big school dance is approaching and Eric suddenly receives a pimple on his face while A.J. is pressured by her mother into having a 'makeover' done.
Return Of The Undead
Dec 29, 1996
The Gimli Theatre is hosting a horrorfest, which gets imaginations soaring. Soon Eric believes the theatre is haunted when he's trapped inside a closet and strange things happen. It doesn't help that his Aunt Zoe fuels his fears by telling him tales of ghosts.
All In Your Head
Jan 5, 1997
Trouble begins brewing in Eric's team when they are chosen to represent the school on a televised quiz show. William discovers the answers and decides to cheat.
A Winter's Tale
Jan 12, 1997
Everybody prepares the celebration of Gimli's 100th anniversary, by building a time capsule (Zoe), and making a documentary home movie about the townspeople (Eric and his friends).
Obsession
Jan 19, 1997
Eric is excited when his father sends him a postcard saying that he will buy a Caribbean Hotel and Eric can leave Gimli. But those plans are waylaid when he gets sucked into building birdhouses for a charity drive, and Sam might leave Gimli for the big city to play hockey.
Blizzard
Jan 26, 1997
Sam, Eric and A.J. form their own rock band and use the caboose for their headquarters. Soon, a blizzard hits and A.J. gets saddled with her mother's dog, whom she puts outside in the snow -- and forgets about. Zoe decides to deliver some aromatherapy stuff to a friend, and Johnny, worried about the kids' safety, and decides to accompany her on the hazardous trek.
Where The Wind Blows
Feb 2, 1997
After Johnny is offered a hockey coaching job in the city, he does not know what to do. Eric receives a visit from his father and believes that he will join his father in all his adventures/travels, while Johnny and Zoe worry that they'll lose Johnny, whom they've grown to love.
