As reported earlier, Kaboom a Belgian Malinois trained and handled by Michael Burkey, President of Michigan Dog Training in Plymouth, Michigan has become a dog movie star. Â He was bred by Michael Ellis of California.
Kaboom is featured in a new Michigan based film entitled, “Mr. What”. Kaboom was featured in several scenes. Â He portrays a stray dog who protects and helps a wrongly convicted man readjust to living in a free society after having been imprisoned for 22 years. The film is now complete and received five out of five Dove awards by the Dove foundation for a high quality family movie that doesn’t contain sex, nudity, nor extreme violence.
The film’s premier will be held November 1, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:00pm at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts in Tecumseh, Michigan.  Shaun Maki is the director and Alan Maki is the lead actor  and writer of the film. Michael Burkey was the dog trainer on and off set.  Additionally, he appeared as a stunt double in the film. The premier is being held in Tecumseh because most of the movie was filmed in or near Tecumseh.
Edwin L. Carpenter, a Dove Foundation film critic states the film is “terrific!”. Â He gave the following synopsis: Â “Panting Deer
Productions and Sun and Paw Films present “Mr. What.†Mattiesko Wuopio, though innocent, has spent twenty-two years in prison. Upon apprehension of the real criminal, Mattiesko is released, only to find continued harassment everywhere he turns. He seeks redemption through his ailing father, a stray dog, and an endearing little boy.”
We’re highly excited about the soon to be released film. Its a heart warming story with a special dog who saves the day. Â What could be better than that?! Plan to join us at the Premier on November 1st. Tickets aren’t yet on sale but when they do, they’ll go fast. Â 700 people came out to see Panting Deer’s premier of their earlier film, “Sidewalk Singer”, also a five out of five Dove awarded film.
