14 Shades of Disney, Shade 8: Canine Casanova

Shade #8: Canine Casanova (1945)

Starring: Pluto and Dinah the Daschund
Costarring: Butch the Bulldog
Setting: Around Town

Plot: Pluto engages in an all-day woo session after spotting Dinah taking a solo stroll through the park.  His tireless efforts even find him attempting to heroically spring his crush from the pound.

Box of Chocolates:

In her second appearance after The Sleep Walker (1942), Dinah officially replaces Fifi the Peke as Pluto’s main love interest.

In his very early shorts, Pluto dons a black collar but now switches between red (as seen here) and green.  Although, green has more-or-less become his trademark colour in modernity.


Speaking of “collars,” is that the reason Dinah was picked up by the pound???  One could even assume she was a “tramp” if not for the reveal of her dog house at the end.

As reveals go, that sure was a shocker to find Dinah the mother to five pups.  

The Morning After:

I love the implication of Pluto realizing he may have bit off more than he could chew with Dinah.  Children from a previous relationship aren’t always a deal breaker when courting but it sure is a wrinkle.  And, despite Pluto’s decided zeal in pursuing Dinah, his face at the end of the cartoon suggests he has some reservations in going forward with the relationship if not downright regret.  This isn’t even taking into account the father and what his role is in Dinah’s life – if any.