Old Dog

Gonpo, a Tibetan motorcycle rider, sells his father's prized mastiff to a dog dealer without asking the family. The dealer initially refuses the sale but agrees only after Dorje, the police officer and son-in-law, explains the underlying family conflict and the dog's importance to their livelihood. The act triggers the father's anger and sets the stage for a difficult family dispute.

The old sheep herder learns of the sale and immediately goes to the dog dealer to reclaim both the money and the dog. He stresses that the mastiff has served the family for 13 years and has helped in herding. The dealer eventually returns the dog, recognizing the family's deep bond with the animal.

After recovering the dog, the old man invites Dorje to a local eatery where they share tea and meat. Their talk turns to Gonpo and Rikso's childless situation, with the old man seeking advice on how to handle his son. Dorje suggests they seek help at the city hospital.

Gonpo agrees, albeit hesitantly, to accompany Rikso to the city hospital to check on possible fertility issues. Upon arrival, he hesitates and asks Rikso to bring her sister instead, delaying the appointment. The moment foreshadows broader questions about the couple's future.

The hospital appointment reveals there is no medical problem preventing Rikso from having children. Gonpo processes the news with a quiet pause, recognizing the emotional weight of the situation. The revelation shifts the couple's expectations and pressures.

In the middle of the night, sounds suggest someone trying to steal the mastiff from the old man's home. To protect the animal, the old man decides to release him into the mountains, hoping he can live freely. The plan is disrupted when the dog is recaptured by the dealer.

Despite the old man's effort to free the dog, the mastiff is captured by the dealer once more. The incident brings fresh disappointment to the old man and heightens the tension around ownership of the faithful animal. News of the capture sparks concern for the family's welfare.

Gonpo confronts the dealer and ends up jailed after punching him to retrieve the dog. Dorje eventually arranges for the dog to be returned to the old man's ownership, but Gonpo faces the consequences of his violent act. The event strains the family dynamics and tests loyalties.

The old man visits Gonpo in jail and they share a quiet moment over a cigarette. Gonpo reveals Rikso’s hospital trip and the fertility news, deepening their mutual understanding. The father offers silent support and light humor as a small consolation during the time apart.

While tending his sheep with the mastiff beneath the Tibetan landscape, the old man is approached by two men who offer to buy the dog. He repeatedly declines, showing his resolve to keep the dog for the family. The scene emphasizes the emotional bond between man, dog, and land.

Feeling the weight of circumstances, the old man decides to euthanize the mastiff by strangling him on the chain. The dog dies, leaving a heavy silence as the old man trudges away. The final image lingers on his sorrowful, solitary walk.

Throughout the events, Dorje balances authority and compassion, ultimately helping secure the dog's return to the owner. The story closes on a note of unresolved pain—legacy, family duty, and the costs of attachment to a loyal animal.