Think of a scene that lives in your memory rent-free. For myself, “Artax, you’re sinking,” and the death of Littlefoot’s mother reign eternal. Yet “Heart of the Beast” is twice the emotional trauma of those core-memory films. I don’t expect to forget this survival thriller anytime soon.

We don’t deserve dogs. It’s a cliche, a generalization, a thesis. Mostly, it’s the film’s foundation.

The premise is custom-made to evoke such an emotional response. Retired Green Beret James Belmont (Brad Pitt) flies deep into isolation only the Alaskan wilderness can provide. But he isn’t entirely alone. He’s got Odin, his former combat dog. They retired from service together after a mission resulted in the pooch’s lost front leg.

James seems to have a grasp on civilian life, minus some paranoia around fellow wilderness explorers, while Odin revisits his deployment in Afghanistan during most evenings. That emotional dilemma should be enough. I’d watch a dog wander the woods and mend mental wounds.

But things get worse for the pair when James’ seaplane crashes 50 miles away from civilization. They need to weather cold nights and colder waters, along with various animal encounters.

At 101 minutes, “Heart of the Beast” moves at a brisk pace for a survival film as it transitions from obstacle to obstacle. It balances momentary thrills with character moments. Don’t expect full-blown flashbacks either. This one rightly stays in the present timeline, using dreams for quick flashes to service days.

The only real criticisms involve distracting CGI animals (moose, bear, larger game) and a rather preachy early scene featuring a seasoned traveler (J.K. Simmons) that provides mostly exposition and overt thematic importance.

All that can easily be forgiven because Odin is such a good dog. Dogs, actually. Uber is the primary actor, an actual former search-and-rescue German shepherd. As for the other dogs, they’re all Uber’s sons trained in different specialties, namely hiking, aggression, water and stunts.

If you well up at the sound of a whimpering dog, this one won’t be for you. Dog lovers everywhere should be wary. But please know that all happens in post. No dogs were distressed on set. And I can also add, without concern for spoiling the film, the dog lives. Director David Ayer made that clear before the film’s premiere.

Ayer has several watchable films and three very good ones: “End of Watch,” “Fury” and now “Heart of the Beast.” He favors action settings featuring cops and soldiers, but “Beast” toys with his normal gallery of characters.

Brad Pitt is a splendid fit. I can’t help but compare this to Robert Redford’s solo performance in “All Is Lost”: a veteran actor enduring cinema’s version of a one-man show, though “Beast” provides a touch more for its lead to do. This externalizes, leaving little internal monologue. The presence of Odin permits this without spectators wondering if he’s going mad or the writing is too convenient.

I can’t say I wish to experience “Heart of the Beast” again. It’s a very well-made film, effective in pulling you in and pulling out all the tears you can offer. And in the process, the story is quite mesmerizing, never dull.

And while it ain’t that kind of film, I would love a sequel that just follows Odin around, provides a bit more closure. For now, Ayer and screenwriter Cameron Alexander, who penned the script almost a decade ago, are the reasons for my current movie trauma. All because of dogs – wonderful, delightful, lovable, selfless dogs.