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I’m so very excited to introduce you to first-time filmmaker Jenni Funk and her short documentary, “Stinky Chicken Dog.” I gotta hand it to her for that name. It’s just the best.
Jenni and I worked together on “Stinky Chicken Dog” for only about 10 hours. I really admire Jenni because she only needed to meet once, film one day, and have one editing session to produce this piece. (Of course, she worked on writing and programming her narration for a good bit of time too.) Jenni’s intuitions about artistic choices are exciting, and she’s motivated me to spend more time feeling what an artsy moment feels like. Really feeling it.
I also appreciate supporting Jenni’s work because she uses Alternative and Augmentative Communication technology. So, just by producing a film that she stars in, she’s challenging the very limiting idea most non-disabled and hearing people have that speech–that is good, pretty, fluent, or pleasant speech–is good or effective communication. Or that some specific kind of voice makes prettier art than some other kind of voice. You’ll hear Jenni communicate through voice output on an iPad, and you’ll also hear me with some Audio Description. The film also, of course, has Closed Captions.
If all of that doesn’t entice you, here’s a picture of the actual stinky chicken dog, Kali. 
And here below is the short film “Stinky Chicken Dog” by Jenni Funk. For those of you who know me well, no, making a documentary about her relationship with her dog was not my idea! I know it’s a major theme in my work. But before you try to give me credit or chuckle about how much of my work is about people with disabilities and their animals, know this was Jenni’s idea. And give her three cheers for coming up with a very film that’s extremely honest and nuanced on her first go-around. I hope I get to collaborate on more films with Jenni (and Kali if she’s available).
Below is an Enhanced Transcript showing the Audio Description and the captions.
Transcript
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Text onscreen: Stinky Chicken Dog.
[chill background music]
JENNI FUNK (VIA A SPEECH GENERATING DEVICE): Hi, I’m Jenni Funk. I am 39 years old, and I had an illness when I was three, which left me with speech and mobility problems. I use a language board and a walker and do a little sign language.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: She taps images on an iPad with a fat pencil.
JENNI: I live in an apartment by myself, and sometimes it gets lonely even though I have providers and family stopping by.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: A small shrine to a late pet Chihuahua on the wall.
JENNI: I try to keep busy doing puzzles and just started making greeting cards. Still, it would be nice to have some companionship.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: At Oregon Dog Rescue shelter.
JENNI: Because of this, I decided to adopt a dog. We went to PetSmart where we met Barbara, who was showing dogs from Oregon Dog Rescue.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Smiling on the couch together.
JENNI: Barbara has been involved for many years in the rescue and is on the Board of Directors. She introduced me to Kali, a brindled Chihuahua. Kali had been abused but was adopted by an elderly lady who had to give her up because of health reasons. Because of this, Kali is extremely fearful of almost everything. Kali has a lot of struggles because of her being abused.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Barbara and Jenni hug and kiss.
JENNI: Any loud noise like clapping or yelling will make her run. I really love Kali, and I know she loves me. But sometimes her fear gets in the way.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Jenni’s mom holds the small dog.
JENNI: Sometimes I fall down, and sometimes I am loud, and this scares her. This hurts my feelings, but I understand.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Kali jumps down and runs off. Jenni frowns, looks away.
JENNI: When Kali first came home with me, she would run to me and even sit on the davenport behind me. Also, she would sleep in my bed at night. Since I am quite restless at night and often thrash about, I probably decked her, and now she doesn’t.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Kali on her Oregon Ducks bed on a chair, settles her head down.
JENNI: Despite all of this, I really love her, and she really loves me. So, we struggle on.
[mellow music fades out into upbeat electronica]
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Kali eating a snack in her bed, Jenni walks up with her walker. Kali leaps off the chair.
JENNI: Kali will cautiously approach me and lick me nonstop, and I continue to pet and feed her.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Then, Jenni scooping food.
JENNI: I would like to take her for walks, but my hands don’t work so well, and I can’t get the leash fastened.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: They walk in a parking lot. Kali struts next to Jenni’s walker, then skitters behind Jenni as they leave. Jenni holds up a sweatshirt with “My shelter dog rescued me.”
JENNI: Kali always runs away from me. She is very frustrating with all her little quirks and bad breath, but she is my friend.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Jenni smiles. Then, Kali in bed, eyes darting, ears perked.
JENNI: Still, this is the saga of my struggles with my shelter dog, Kali.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Credits: Filmmakers Jenni Funk and Cheryl Green.
Featuring Jenni Funk, Joan Funk, and Barbara Roach.
Featuring Kali and a picture of her lounging in her Oregon Ducks bed on a chair.
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4 responses to “Stinky Chicken Dog”
Now the video embed works. Nice film!
Thank you so much for watching it. And enormous thanks for letting me know it wasn’t working. Vimeo was being super weird, so I just switched to a YouTube embed. I appreciate you alerting me. Jenni and I are meeting soon to scheme about a new, bigger project. I can’t wait!
You’re very welcome! Happy to help! I am a big animal lover and I like how AAC was used in the film. I look forward to your future projects.
Yay! Thank you!