An old friend just Facebooked me a link to a movie trailer that, I am chagrined to say, had me crying by the end. It featured two elements that endure on the list of aging boomer women's most favorite things:

1. Richard Gere.

2. A dog.

Plus, Joan Allen. A peep.

Minus that kooky house in Nights in Rodanthe, which you just couldn't watch without wondering about the septic system.

We do love our pets, and it seems like as we get older, they're increasingly important to us. In my travels this summer, I've had about a dozen conversations with strangers about their dogs--one of them last week in a high-end hotel, where the little guy was quite happily checked in with his owner.

For me, it's my chickens. (Who prefer B and B's.) Lots of women in my area have backyard chickens, and if you have them, you understand our affections for the birds. But if you don't, you may think this is weird. I did an interview recently with Kim Milata-Daniels, for her site yoladies.com, who called me a "bad-ass" for having chickens. I'll take it.

This trailer, as you'll see is fine. But consider this. 

Richard Gere

+ a Buff Orpington.

Now that's a movie. 

Check out Teresa Hanafin's new Pets site over at boston.com, and send her some feedback.

But first, here's that preview. Enjoy.