It’s the classic “boy and his dog” film, much in the tradition of such canine stars as Lassie and Rusty. With a generous helping of danger, a few pinches of heartbreak, and bucketloads of warm feelings between boy and boy’s best friend, Shaggy was a time-tested recipe about two companions often misunderstood by the world surrounding them.

Robbie Calvin and his pooch pal, Shaggy are inseparable friends. But Shaggy’s mischievous tendencies manage to raise the ire of a cranky old neighbor whose feelings for the mutt aren’t quite as warm and cuddly. Soon, the old man’s sheep starting turning up dead and he is certain who the culprit is. Ever-protective of his furry friend, Robbie is certain that it couldn’t be his canine doing the killing. Unfortunately, he has more problems on his plate – namely his new stepmom, Laura, who despises her rural surroundings and takes out her frustration on the young boy.

You simply can’t go wrong with a “boy and his dog” flick. And if the dog is falsely accused of some grim act, it is certain that his master isn’t going to be the only one rooting for Rover – the whole audience will be right by his side. Shaggy, released in 1948, was just one of many films that took this failsafe premise and ran with it like a dog chasing the mailman.