Title – Abby’s List: A Dogumentary (2023)

Director – Mark Sutherland (feature debut)

Cast – Mark Sutherland, Abby Sutherland, Sophie Cole

Plot – With his beloved dog Abby aging, Mark Sutherland decides to take his four-legged best friend on a cross-country road trip to tick off a bucket list for the ages.  

“Two best friends and the bucket list trip of their lives”

Review by Eddie on 30/10/2025

A labour of love for its creator and co-star Mark Sutherland, documenting his very personal bucket list journey with his beloved 14 year old whippet Abby, Abby’s List: A Dogumentary is a lovingly human tale about the power of friendship across species, that while slight and rough around the edges, Abby’s List is nevertheless a likable and touching experience that is sure to be a delight to canine fans of all shapes and sizes.

Filmed over numerous years when Mark decided it was time to hit the road and let Abby get to experience a range of activities across a cross country road trip over the USA when she was at the ripe old age of 14, the proposed 3 week journey ended up being a 3 year one as Mark and Abby’s lives were changed forever in the process.

The very definition of a DIY type home movie experience, there’s no flash or pizazz to be found in Sutherland’s film, this is absolutely warts and all filmmaking for better and worse, with Abby’s List gentle nature and kind-hearted attitude goes a long way for making up for any technical or narrative shortfalls while Mark and Abby’s bond is undeniable, a shining example of cross species friendships that care little for barriers that others may assume will be there.

Watching Mark and Abby getting to tick off various desires on Abby’s (and no doubt Mark’s) bucket list is an easily enjoyable one and one that slowly but surely transforms into a moving one as Abby’s age begins to play more and more into their ventures, it’s a happy film, a smile inducing one for anyone willingly going along for the adventure but there’s emotion too, one that’s sure to steer many to give their furry companions and loved ones extra cuddles and kisses.

Another timely reminder and fine showcase for the power of film and the documentary medium no matter the skillsets or backgrounds of those behind them, Abby’s List is a genuinely uplifting and lovely movie going experience that’s sure to become a household favourite for dog fans across the globe as they discover this small but big-hearted feature for themselves.

Final Say –

While slight in ways and rough in a production sense, Abby’s List is a quietly powerful and moving experience documenting the power and bond humans and dogs share in so many different and important ways.

3 1/2 room service deliveries out of 5