Disney Pixar has released a now short film that is guaranteed to smack you right in the feels. Seriously, if you're feeling a bit emotional - perhaps as a result of having a few too many drinks last night - maybe wait until later to watch this one.
The film is called Kitbull and it tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a tiny wee kitten and a Pitbull dog that is being abused.
It tells the story of the dog's abuse, and then journey towards recovery. Along the way he manages to make friends with the alley cat. It's animated in a way that is totally adorable, but it tells an important story.
The Pitbull is owned by a cruel person who keeps him outside in a barbed wire fenced garden. The dog spends most of its life outside chained to a concrete block. It becomes clear quite early on in the film that the dog's owner is training him to fight.
He is also chained up outside, whatever the weather.
The film was made as part of Pixar's SparkShorts programme, which is the brainchild of Rosana Sullivan and was realised by director Kathryn Hendrickson. It tells of an "unlikely connection that sparks between two creatures" living in horrendous and difficult conditions.
As the story goes on, we see the dog being chucked outside the house and chained up with horrific injuries from the fighting that he is being forced to do. This happens all too often in reality and has led to the Pitbull breeds of dog garnering a reputation for being aggressive and violent.
Remember, there's no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners. This one certainly is that.
Things seem pretty bleak for the characters, but there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. The cat and the dog eventually become the best of friends, despite initially being a bit wary of one another.
After all, a tiny cat is likely to be scared of a large dog until it gets to know it. In the end - whilst you're in floods of tears - the Pitbull escapes his wicked owner and manages to make a happy ending out of the situation.
It's enough to warm your heart. Seriously, the initial pain is worth it.
The short was first shown on February 18th but has since been viewed more than 8 million times. It's easy to see why, too. It's an important message, and it's bloody cute too.
Featured Image Credit: PixarTopics: Entertainment News, Disney, Movies, TV and Film, US Entertainment