According to writer, producer, and director Gary David Goldberg, he gave the script to John Cusack and encouraged him to change any of his character's dialogue to better suit him. Goldberg was surprised by Cusack's response, who later sent him about thirty-five pages of new dialogue for his character.
The dog "Mother Theresa" was played by two six-month old Newfoundland puppies named Molly (who did most of the work) and Maeve (who performed the water scene) Both of whom appeared at the end of movie together. Writer, producer, and director Gary David Goldberg adopted both puppies at the end of filming.
Gary David Goldberg's company mascot, UBU, is a Newfoundland - the same dog in this movie. "Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good dog."
The "sticks" through which the kids hop in the beginning of the movie is a traditional Filipino dance. Tinikling is a dance where the sticks actually open and close to the beat of the music and dancers step through them gracefully.
When Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) and Bob Connor (Dermot Mulroney) bump into each other at the dog park, there is a table set up with an animal rescue group called "Animal Avengers". This is a real rescue group founded by Shannon Elizabeth.