A Disney Blog: Anita and Roger

This blog will be the first of a series I want to start called, "A Disney Blog". I have an extensive, nearly emabarrassing knowledge of the Disney world (not to be confused with DisneyWorld) so, why not share a bit? If this isn't your thing, don't worry. I will still write about several more "adult" topics, so stay with me.

Anita and Roger from 101 dalmations are perhaps the most overlooked Disney couple of all time. They have an amazing, more practical love story. Although their story does not involve any princesses or dragons, the realness is what makes their love so sweet and believable.

First of all, Anita is obviously a successful woman, well into her professional career, and she don't need no man. She knows she's too good for Roger, who is well, a bit homely, but for some reason she still has her eye on him.

Roger passes her daily and although she has noticed him, and their dogs Pongo and Perdita have noticed each other, Roger is completely oblivious. Isn't this how it usually goes? Roger is not a hopeless romantic on a trek to find his one true love. He just wants to write a new commercial jingle that will hopefully pay his rent. What is really cool about this story is the dogs know what's up. They know their people are lonely and need more companionship than their pets.

Pongo wants to get the girl (Perdita) and wants Roger to notice the lovely chance at happiness right in front of him. So the rascal concocts a rather genius plan that results in possibly the cutest Disney couple introduction of all time. This:

Which then results in this:

Which results in this:

But they don't get the Happily Ever After quite yet. Like most marriages, they face several challenges that could have easily caused them to give up. First of all, their are several small hints that Anita is barren which explains why the couple is beyond thrilled their beloved Pongo and Perdita will have pups. Also, Roger has been unemployed for months and it has clearly taken a toll on the household. But Anita sticks by him, encouraging him over and over that he will find his song soon.

The puppies are born and Roger and Anita couldn't be happier. The happiness is shortlived, however, when they discover the runt of the litter has passed. Roger does not give up so easily and with a little rub-down and some Disney magic, he brings the lucky pup back.

The family is joyful once again.

But sadly, once again, that is short-lived.

But this is when Roger finally proves he's got a pair and stands up to the De Vil herself. And Anita adores him for it.

Of course, we all know what happens anyways.

But we're not talking about the puppies, this is Anita and Roger's story. They work tirelessly to find their babies with no such luck. It seems all hope is lost.

When the puppies return with an extra 84 in tow, the couple rejoices and quickly makes plans to move to a farm, er, plantation. A Dalmatian Plantation. Which they can now afford thanks to Roger's new hit "Cruella De Vil". Yay for happy endings.

Roger and Anita are the most realistic Disney example of true love. They stick by each other through thick and thin. Their dreams are not magical, but actually attainable. They just want to be together with their massive amount of dogs. How sweet.

We even learn later that they actually did live happily ever after on their Dalmatian Plantation in the Toon Disney TV series, "101 Dalmatians". Remember this?