Poochini: Coffee Dog

After you've reviewed a few score educational videos--the majority of which are notable for their relentless earnestness or forced faux coolness--it's delightful to come across a kidvid that's simply fun. Poochini is an animated dog described on the cover as “once living in the lap of luxury” until he's “adopted by a ‘normal' family stuck in the 50s.” The retro look, sound, and humor is very obvious in the 10-minute title short “Coffee Dog,” wherein Poochini develops a serious java jones. Three additional shorts are also included: “Amnesiac Dog” (Poochini loses his memory and sense of self, seeking to bond with ducks, doves, cats, etc.), “Leaf Me Alone” (in which the clueless dad's leaf blower invention becomes a jet pack), and “The Gopher” (shades of Caddyshack). All are cute, and boast particularly expressive art and great voice work. I hadn't heard about Poochini before, but I'm glad he bounded my way, as will be many other viewers, young and old. Highly recommended. [Note: Poochini: The Christmas Tree is also newly available on VHS and DVD.] Aud: P. (R. Reagan)