Character Analysis
We can all agree that talking dogs are hilarious. Like, overpriced movie Coke out your nose hilarious. But here’s the thing: Dug is a mutt with a message. He’s the drooling, squirrel-chasing personification of one Up’s most important themes: love is all around you; all you have to do is let it in.
When Carl first meets Dug, Carl wants nada to do with him. Dug, on the other hand, is head over heels for his curmudgeonly new pal.
DUG [to Carl]: My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.
Dug doesn’t care that Carl’s kind of a jerk at this stage in the narrative. He digs him unconditionally from the get-go, and his devotion never stops. You might say that he’s dogged in his pursuit to show Carl some much-needed love.
Sorry. We couldn’t resist.
Dug does all that he can to help Carl, and frequently puts his own furry life on the line to divert his doggie bros in Muntz’s dog pack from Carl’s trail. What does he ask for in return? Nothing. And really, “pals” is too strong a word to describe Alpha and the rest of his canine crew. Those pups don’t have any love for Dug. In that respect, Carl has more in common with Dug that he even—squirrel!