Canine comedy looks at the lighter side of heavy petting

Why do dogs lick their balls? Because they can of course. This is just one of the philosophical questions posed by the superb animated short, The Wrong End of The Stick, as it sensitively explores the issue of species envy. 

You know, it's that feeling you get when watching your pooch bound around the park sniffing genitalia, or worse, and generally experiencing unconfined joy at the simple things? That feeling that being a human just sucks, particularly when some of the things you’d dearly love to suck are just so... out of reach. 

A brilliant blend of 2D hand-drawn character animation, VFX and live-action background, the film was directed by Terri Matthews and follows the shaggy dog’s tale of Malcolm Fetcher, whose wife doesn’t understand him. Particularly when he starts humping her leg and attempting to follow the family pet’s penchant for oral self-soothing.

On joining a rather niche group of swingers, who assure him he can "bury his bone" wherever he likes, Malcolm realises he's been barking up the wrong tree. This is all a bit too animal crackers for him and all he really wants is to be told he’s been a “good boy” by his beloved missus. 

Released on Vimeo on Monday, which the beagle-eyed among you will note was International Dog Day, the film has been Annie nominated, screened at almost 100 international festivals, and picked up a clutch of comedy awards. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this film then… woofbark.