Heart of a Dog 9 p.m., HBO

Laurie Anderson’s meditation on life and loss finally makes it to TV, as part of HBO’s fine Monday night documentary series. On one level, the film is a tribute to her beloved rat terrier, Lolabelle, who actually painted and played keyboards after going blind. Thus the title. But it’s also about the other losses Anderson has suffered, including her mother and her husband, Lou Reed, as well as the way we all experience grief in our lives.

Globe critic Ty Burr gave the film 3½ stars last year, and his review really got me looking forward to seeing it. He calls it “a unique, exceptionally touching cinematic tone-poem on the subject of mourning and a movie that only Laurie Anderson could have made.’’ In describing the animations, archival footage, and dog reenactments, as well as the recorded music and violin compositions on the soundtrack, Burr also calls it, irresistibly, “a slide presentation from the Id.’’

Dogs, loss, Lou Reed, ghosts.

Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewGilbert.