Q&A With Glenn Close


Posted on Sep 29, 2007
By Glenn Close

Comments(10)
“I believe that dogs teach us kindness, loyalty, responsibility and unconditional love.”
Me and my first dog, Docus. He tolerated my constant hugs.
Me and my first dog, Docus. He tolerated my constant hugs.

Gaby, my Coton de Tulear, at a costume fitting in Paris for DANGEROUS LIAISONS. She loved expensive fabrics!
Gaby, my Coton de Tulear, at a costume fitting in Paris for DANGEROUS LIAISONS. She loved expensive fabrics!		 FETCHDOG: When did you become a dog lover?
GC: Before I was born. Both my parents are huge animal lovers. We always had at least two dogs, always including a collie. When I was little, and my father was in medical school in New York, he would rescue street dogs from the labs and bring them out to the country. It made for a very motley pack. My first dog was a beautiful tri-colored collie named Merry-Mark-of-Mooreland, but I called him Docus. I must have been about four or five when he died. I wore his collar as a belt.

FD: Why dogs?
GC: I believe that dogs teach us kindness, loyalty, responsibility and unconditional love. A dog's sensitivity to every nuance of our voice and body language teaches us to be aware of how our actions affect other living creatures. It's very basic.

FD: How have you balanced work and your dogs?
GC: I've always chosen to have little dogs, so as to make travel a bit easier. When my daughter, Annie, was little, all of us would go on location--a true traveling circus. When Annie was only seven weeks old, we went to France to shoot Dangerous Liaisons. I will never forget the look of horror on a passenger's face when I appeared on the plane with a baby and a dog---Gaby, a wonderful Coton de Tulear. Happily, both dog and baby slept the entire trip.
Glenn Close in Damages
My DAMAGES film dog, Cody, who was rescued from an abandoned gas station.		 Glenn Close starring in 101 Dalmations
This is from 102 DALMATIANS. The puppies tolerated me because I was playing a kind and seemingly rehabilitated Cruella.		 Glenn Close, from the set of Sarah Plaing and Tall
This Border Collie was brilliantly able to herd the movie sheep through a course, to a specific mark.
FD: Have you ever rescued a dog?
GC: Actually, we once rescued a terribly abused dog that showed up, whining pitifully, outside my camper in the middle of nowhere in Kansas, during the shooting of Sarah, Plain and Tall. I have never seen so many ticks on a dog and he had heart worm. We took him home where he recovered completely and was one of our most beloved pets. Because he must have existed mostly on bugs before he found us, we named him Chigger.

FD: How did Bill and Jake come into your life?
GC: A woman in McAllister, Montana, has been breeding a very special combination of various terriers for a number of years. My family has had a lot of them. Annie picked Jake out of a litter after we had lost a dog. He is the smartest and sweetest dog I have ever known. Bill is Jake’s nephew and side-kick. They keep us laughing.		 GC
Annie with our beloved dog, Chigger, who we rescued off the Kansas plains.
FD: What kind of cars would they drive?
GC: Jake would drive an old, second-hand Mercedes and Bill would drive a Mini Cooper.

FD: What would be the titles of their autobiographies?
GC: Jake's would be: Reflections of an Observant Mind. Bill's would be: Food and Peace.

FD: What is Jake and Bill's idea of perfect happiness?
GC: Jake: To be included
Bill: An endless feast.

FD: What do Bill and Jake like most about you?
GC: I can read their thoughts; which isn't that great a feat since they usually have one of three things on their minds:
When's dinner?
Can we come?
I need to go out.

FD: How did you rationalize playing Creulla – the most famous dog hater ever — with the fact that you are such an avid dog lover?
GC: I actually had a hard time with it. Whenever I was in full Cruella drag, no dog would have anything to do with me. My costumes frightened them even before I opened my mouth. It was sad for me because we had extraordinary canines in both movies.

FD: Is there a secret about you that only your dogs know?
GC: I've been known to snack on an occasional dog biscuit.

FD: What is your dogs' pet peeve about you?
GC: That I can get distracted between, "Want to go out?" and actually opening the door.

FD: What musical instruments would your dogs play?
GC: Jake: A sweet jazz saxophone
Bill: A kazoo

FD: What do your dogs think about cats?
GC: Jake: They're okay as long as they move slowly and are polite.
Bill: Whatever Jake thinks.

FD: What excites your dogs the most?
GC: Jake: Hearing the magic words — "You're coming!"
Bill: Dancing or just hopping around.

“To be under the shade of a beautiful tree, on a breezy, high-summer day, with a good book, a dog at my feet and the people I love within sight.” —Glenn Close FD: What is your favorite thing to do with your dogs?
GC: Taking them into Central Park, early in the morning, and watching them socialize with a great, cross-section of canines.

FD: What do your dogs feel about politicians?
GC: It's hard to say without a good, long sniff.

FD: What is your dogs' favorite movie?
GC: Jake: A Man For All Seasons
Bill: Forrest Gump

FD: What is it about you that make your dogs most proud?
GC: I am not intimidated by loud barking.

FD: Do your dogs like to dress up?
GC: They accept it as part of their job description.

FD: Do each of your dogs have a special talent?
GC: Yes. Jake can jump like a flea and Bill holds the world title for devouring his dinner in the shortest amount of time.

FD: If your dog were a famous person, who would it be?
GC: Bill would be Barney Fife and Jake would be the Dali Lama.

FD: What is Jake and Bill's idea of perfect happiness?
GC: Jake: To be included
Bill: A bottomless food bowl.

FD: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
GC: To be under the shade of a beautiful tree, on a breezy, high-summer day, with a good book, a dog at my feet and the people I love most within sight.



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Comments
Gotta love this site! I recently rescued a yellow lab,(really, she rescued me) and we were having some behavior problems. I contacted a behavior therapist, quite a good one at that, and among other things she recommended a change in her diet. It made perfect sense; just as with humans, what dogs eat effects their disposition. Dogs should avoid foods with cornsyrup and wheat flour; the first ingredient should be a source of protien(chicken, fish, beef...). All the dog food products(ingredients) you recommend are in alignment with apprpropriate nutritional guidelines. Throwin' you a bone! MGH
Posted By Mary Grace
on Nov 11, 2007
I am hoping that this web site will become an instrumental part of getting the Buxton,Me. puppy mill dogs adopted. I have been volunteering in their care since day one and much help continues to be needed with getting their stories out. Two agencies are handling the process,one of which is the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland-www.arlgp.org. If anyone reading this wants to help in any way,please contact them ASAP. I do know that this web site is the brainchild of people local to Maineand this is the reason I am bringing this important issue up.There are over 260 dogs who will need homes. This is a story that needs to be told. Thanks.
Posted By Gayle
on Nov 12, 2007
You have a nice site here with a good mix of shopping and social areas. I look forward to reading more in the future. matt http://blog.mainemillers.com
Posted By Matt
on Nov 12, 2007
Glenn, you're an amazing actress and I have always loved you, and your work! I couldn't believe it possible, but now that I know you're an animal/dog lover, I love you even more!! I love this site! What a great charitable site! Thanks! steph in GA
Posted By Stephanie
on Mar 17, 2008
Watched you, your husband and two adorable dogs on the Martha Stewart show. Had to get on this site as soon as possible. I love dogs (have two). Great companions, especially since I am on permanent disability and have plenty of time to spend with them. I've seen all of your movies. The Big Chill is my favorite. Have been a fan of Damages since day one and look forward to the new season. Betty Piedmont, SC
Posted By Betty
on Mar 19, 2008
I do not have anything against Martha Stewart but does she understand how much ANIMAL CRUELTY is involved in making this dish and they have linked it to alzheimers disease???????***FAUX GRAS**** GC: If your dogs were hosting an intimate dinner party, who would be on the guest list? What would be on the menu? MS: Guests: Rutger (horse), Rufus (miniature donkey), Bartok (cat) and Laura (housekeeper), as she feeds us and it's only fair to reciprocate the kindness from time to time. Menu: Chicken liver 'Faux Gras', followed by chargrilled boneless breast of corn-fed chicken, served with Vichy carrots and cottage cheese quenelles, finished off with bone marrow pate de fruits.
Posted By Shelly
on May 16, 2008
Dear Mr. Campbell, I have a certified NNDDA Narcotics Detection K-9. I found her through a non-profit organization called GAP (Gifted Animal Placement). This organization trains people around the country to go into their local shelters and test dogs to see if they would make good service dogs. GAP has found dogs for police (protection, narcotics, and bomb detection), Texas Hearing and Service, and many other groups. It is a win-win situation for both the agency and the dog. Normally, these dogs have a very slim chance of being adopted, because they have such a strong hunt and prey drive. If they don’t get adopted, it is highly likely that they will be put down, and what a disservice to the dog as well as to the community. I am constantly trying to find ways of getting GAP’s name out to the public, and when I saw Glenn Close on The View, I thought that you may be able to help. This organization is in dire need of donations and funds. It was founded by two retired police officers and most funds come directly out of their pockets. If you have any advice, or if you can help, please visit their website at www.gapdogs.org or contact me at 713-240-1383, and I can give you the details. Thank you for any help or advice that you can give. Yours very truly, Kristen Maurer kmaurer10@comcast.net
Posted By Kristen
on Jun 16, 2008
I saw Ms. Close on the view this morning and heard of Fetchdog.com. Great site. I have been checking out all of the info and the blogs. Lots of great stuff. But I have one small comment there was a person on Ms. Stewarts blog who's daughter is getting a Cane Corso and she refers to it as an Italian Mastiff...the Cane is NOT and Italian Mastiff...it is just the Cane Corso Italiano. The Italian Mastiff is the Neopolitan. I have the pleasure of living with a Fila Brasileiro, (actually have lived with the for 20 yrs now) who's name is Humphrey Bogart. They are commonly called a Brazilian Mastiff. Owning dogs like the fila or the Cane Corso are a huge responsibility and should not be undertaken lightly and certainly should not be owned by person who do not even understand the basic breed structure. This is how dogs and people get in trouble. Both the Fila and the Cane are wonderful dogs when they are homed with responsible experienced dog people....they are not breeds for the novice owner or the careless owner. Ms. Close thank you for a great site... Oh and by the way I live in New England and am trying to find an english Bulldog to adopt so if anyone has any ideas let me know. I haven't been able to located one. Due to the nature of the breed I need to try and get it before it hits 3 years or they are difficult to home with other dogs.... Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
Posted By Donna
on Jun 16, 2008
When we first got our first Coton Cody from Mr. Russell I remember walking him along W 4th Street in the Village and meeting you and Gaby. Mr. Russell had told us you had one and I was so excited for the two Cotons to meet and to run into you. This was probably about 25 years ago. I now have by second one who is three from Jay and Laurie and never thought I could love another one as much as I loved Cody, but I do.
Posted By jane
on Jun 17, 2008
I saw the picture of you with your dogs in the AARP Magazine this month & saved it for my neighbor who has an occasional dog visitor that belongs to another neighbor down the road. The one with the underbite looks exactly like Angel, Snow White (altho she isn't very white a except the day she gets a bath), Snowball...we call her everything. We've never known the breed. Is that the Coton de Tulear? She has an underbite exactly like yours. This is the nicest, sweetest, most docile dog I've ever met. When you come up to her, there is none of this alpha dog behavior...she drops to a lying down position & ducks her head in deference to what feels like your divine superiority. I've never seen another dog like her & so was excited when I saw the picture. If you can somehow let me know the breed, it would be so nice of you. & not just incidentally, I am a fan of your work, too, not just your dogs. lol o:) Thanx~!
Posted By Patti
on Jan 9, 2009
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Welcome to LIVELY LICKS: Profiles of Dogs and their People.
I hope that you will be entertained, comforted and inspired by the people and dogs that I have the privilege of featuring on this blog. Since starting it over a year and a half ago, it has pulled me into an incredible journey. Besides being able to celebrate some of my wonderful friends and the profound bond they have with their dogs, LIVELY LICKS has introduced me to the world of avalanche dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, service dogs for our wounded warriors and dogs in need of rescue and adoption. I have been inspired by the selfless dedication of the people who run grassroots shelters as well as urban care and control centers. I have been deeply moved by their stories in which dogs heal and empower their humans. Those of us who have dogs, know how much they enhance our quality of life with their unquestioning loyalty and unconditional love. There are an infinite number of stories to tell, so I hope you will stay with me as I continue to explore and discover and delight in the journey.
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