transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:00] From your friends at PBS Kids.

Speaker 2:
[00:10] Kids!

Speaker 3:
[00:36] Good morning, podcast people. Arthur Read here with The Arthur Podcast. And today, I want to tell you how I got my dog, Pal.

Speaker 2:
[00:45] That's right, boy.

Speaker 3:
[00:46] This story is all about you. Before we got Pal, we didn't have any pets at all. But I really, really wanted a dog. There's so much you can do with a dog. You can play, chase, cuddle, relax.

Speaker 2:
[01:02] Oh, I know, boy.

Speaker 3:
[01:04] So, one night at dinner, I asked my mom and dad if I could get a dog.

Speaker 4:
[01:11] I love this roasted broccoli, hon.

Speaker 5:
[01:13] Thank you. More rice, DW?

Speaker 1:
[01:15] Rice is nice.

Speaker 3:
[01:17] Um, excuse me, but you know what's really nice? Dogs.

Speaker 1:
[01:22] Can I get one? Dog! Dog! Dog!

Speaker 3:
[01:24] Shush, DW. I'm the kind of kid who should have a dog of his own.

Speaker 5:
[01:28] Well, Arthur, a puppy is a big responsibility.

Speaker 3:
[01:32] I know. But I'll feed it, and walk it, and play catch with it.

Speaker 4:
[01:37] It's easy to say those things now. But tougher to do them every day.

Speaker 1:
[01:41] That means no.

Speaker 3:
[01:43] Shush, DW.

Speaker 5:
[01:44] Let your mom and I talk about it a minute. Come on now.

Speaker 1:
[01:51] They went into the den. They're talking. I think mom is saying something about not wanting a puppy tree on her new carpet. What's a puppy tree?

Speaker 4:
[02:02] Shush, DW.

Speaker 3:
[02:03] I'm trying to listen.

Speaker 4:
[02:07] We decided you may have a puppy.

Speaker 5:
[02:13] You need to show us you're responsible enough to do it.

Speaker 3:
[02:16] How can I show that?

Speaker 1:
[02:18] Why don't you get a job?

Speaker 3:
[02:19] A job?

Speaker 4:
[02:20] D.W.'s right, actually. Keeping up with a job is a great way to show responsibility.

Speaker 1:
[02:26] Yeah, and then you can pay back the $7 that you owe me.

Speaker 3:
[02:30] But what kind of job can I get?

Speaker 5:
[02:32] You'll think of something, Arthur. But for now, could you pass the broccoli for Kate?

Speaker 3:
[02:45] Hey, Francine.

Speaker 6:
[02:46] Arthur, do you know what Page our math homework is on?

Speaker 3:
[02:49] Seventy-four.

Speaker 6:
[02:49] Thanks, see ya.

Speaker 3:
[02:51] Wait, Francine, I need a job. So do you know anyone who needs, well, me?

Speaker 6:
[02:59] Muffy said the other day that her dad was looking for a new used car salesman.

Speaker 3:
[03:03] Yeah, I don't know anything about cars, so...

Speaker 6:
[03:06] And Binky crushes cans at the recycling center.

Speaker 3:
[03:09] Yeah, crushing seems more like Binky than me. Well, I like dogs.

Speaker 6:
[03:16] So why don't you pet sit?

Speaker 3:
[03:18] Yes, if I take care of other people's pets, that'll show my parents that I can take care of my own. I'll call it Arthur's Pet Sitting Business. And that, podcast people, was how my pet sitting business got started. I made flyers and my friends were great. They helped me get them all over the neighborhood. My mom and dad passed them out too. I'm not up to your part yet, pal. Then I had to wait for people to need me. Arthur's Pet Business, I'm Arthur.

Speaker 1:
[04:00] Arthur, what are you doing?

Speaker 3:
[04:03] Waiting. I gave the flyers out everywhere, and I still don't have a single message from someone who needs my help.

Speaker 1:
[04:10] Oh, well, mom said it's bedtime, and you should turn off your computer.

Speaker 3:
[04:14] I really thought that I'd get just one email with one job that... Oh, an email!

Speaker 1:
[04:21] Is it a good email or ham?

Speaker 3:
[04:23] DW, you mean spam. And I think this is, yeah, it's a good email. It's a real job. Mrs. Wood wants me to watch her dog while she's on vacation, and she's offering $10.

Speaker 1:
[04:35] Doesn't she have that nasty little dog thing to perky?

Speaker 3:
[04:38] Yes, why do you think she's nasty?

Speaker 1:
[04:41] The mailman calls her Jaws.

Speaker 3:
[04:43] It doesn't matter. I'm going to take excellent care of perky, and then mom and dad are going to let me get my own dog. I'm meeting Mrs. Wood tomorrow to learn what I need to do for perky.

Speaker 1:
[04:54] Okay, but don't blame me if you don't come back with all your fingers.

Speaker 2:
[05:07] That's no way to greet Arthur. Come on in and meet my little angel. Don't mind if Perky makes a little noise, she hasn't been herself lately.

Speaker 3:
[05:17] Hi there, little Perky.

Speaker 2:
[05:19] I made a list for you of Perky's daily schedule. It has 38 items on it, and they're all important.

Speaker 3:
[05:26] Okay, on it, Mrs. Wood.

Speaker 2:
[05:28] Here's the rest of her stuff. Leash, water bowl, soft blankie, favorite squeaky toy, doggy treats, jingle balls, and a fluffy rooster pillow. It's her favorite. Okay, got it. I'll be back next Sunday, sweetie, furry faced poopy baby.

Speaker 3:
[05:49] Don't worry, I'll take great care of her. In fact, Perky and I are going to be the best of friends.

Speaker 1:
[05:56] I think. What was that timer for, Arthur?

Speaker 3:
[06:06] I set an alarm because Perky is on a very strict schedule. That way, I won't miss anything. Time for your brushing, Perky. One stroke, two strokes, three strokes, four strokes.

Speaker 1:
[06:21] I don't think she likes it. What's that one for?

Speaker 3:
[06:25] Oh, her dinner. Okay, one tablespoon of kibble, then one tablespoon of gourmet chicken, one half tablespoon of turkey meatball, and a cheeseburger. Purchased today, no pickle, no bun, and a blueberry on top.

Speaker 1:
[06:42] Gross, but fancy.

Speaker 6:
[06:44] There you go, Perky.

Speaker 3:
[06:46] Just how you like it. What's wrong? I follow the directions exactly.

Speaker 1:
[06:52] She probably doesn't like you, Arthur. Maybe you're just not a dog person.

Speaker 3:
[06:59] Podcast people, I was afraid that DW was right. No matter what I did, Perky seemed unhappy. And I did a lot. In the middle of my screen time, Perky needed her walk. In the middle of my homework time, she needed her tummy rub. In the middle of my bath, she wanted to play catch. Oh, hey, Nemo.

Speaker 6:
[07:46] Hey, Arthur. Our apartment is being repainted, and my mom says that Nemo is in the way.

Speaker 3:
[07:50] Is that why his tail is painted yellow?

Speaker 6:
[07:53] Technically, it's mystic banana. Can you pet set him until the painting is done?

Speaker 3:
[07:57] Gee, Francine, I'm more of a dog kind of guy.

Speaker 6:
[08:01] All those flyers I helped you pass out said, any pet.

Speaker 5:
[08:05] I heard the doorbell. Ah, hello, Francine. Another customer, Arthur?

Speaker 3:
[08:10] Yep, you bet.

Speaker 6:
[08:12] Great. Nemo loves to watch birds, probably because he wants to eat them. I add thin-sliced turkey to his canned food. He's allergic to milk and he is terrified of cucumbers.

Speaker 3:
[08:22] Cucumbers?

Speaker 6:
[08:23] Thanks, Arthur.

Speaker 5:
[08:24] You're going to have your hands full, Arthur, because Mr. Molina from next door gave me this gal for me.

Speaker 3:
[08:30] Is that a parakeet?

Speaker 5:
[08:32] Her name is Fudgy and she likes classical music. Mr. Molina said she needs broccoli on Wednesdays, bananas every morning and tiny chopped carrots on the weekend.

Speaker 3:
[08:42] Oh, I think I need to write this down.

Speaker 1:
[08:44] Arthur, guess what? The Tibble Twins are bringing over their frogs. Jumpy and Petunia.

Speaker 4:
[08:50] Arthur, good news. My work friend is dropping off her duck for a few days. Dudley is house trained, but he needs daily swims.

Speaker 3:
[08:58] Um, great, Mom. Because if I can handle a dog, a bird, a cat, a frog...

Speaker 1:
[09:03] Two frogs!

Speaker 3:
[09:04] Two frogs and a duck, then I can definitely handle my own dog, right?

Speaker 5:
[09:10] I should say so, Arthur.

Speaker 3:
[09:17] Okay, I've got it all under control. Every animal's schedule has its own timer, so I just listen for the dings. Right now, Dudley is getting a swim in the baby pool. Nemo is happily watching Fudgy through the window, and Fudgy is listening to classical music. And Perky is growling, but you know, that might be normal for her, so all good. DW why are the frogs in the bathtub with you? Catch them!

Speaker 1:
[09:56] Oh, no, you don't, little froggy. Got one, Arthur.

Speaker 3:
[10:07] Ah, now there's a duck in here. No swimming in the bathtub. He must have followed me in. He's bothering Fudgy.

Speaker 5:
[10:28] Come on, Dudley.

Speaker 3:
[10:32] Nemo, you belong in the kitchen. Sorry, kitty. Oh, sorry. Cat in, cucumber away, duck out, frogs caged, birds safe. Oh, boy. Time for Perky's tummy rub. Here you go, girl. Wow, Perky, you don't even like my rubs? Maybe D.W.'s right. Maybe I'm bad with dogs. Okay, I'm not saying that I was a perfect pet sitter, but as the week went on, people picked up their pets and were happy customers. It was just Perky who was still here, and still unhappy.

Speaker 5:
[11:29] Wow, that dog sure is grumpy.

Speaker 4:
[11:32] Perky was never exactly a cuddler, but she does seem crabbier than usual.

Speaker 3:
[11:38] I know, but I've kept her rate on schedule and followed every instruction exactly.

Speaker 1:
[11:45] When Mrs. Wood picks up Perky, you're gonna have to tell her that you wrecked her dog.

Speaker 3:
[11:50] She'll be here in a few hours. Maybe Perky will perk up by then, maybe not.

Speaker 5:
[12:04] Let's do it together, DW.

Speaker 1:
[12:08] Hi, Mrs. Wood. Hello there. Arthur, Mrs. Wood is here to pick up Perky.

Speaker 3:
[12:14] I'll bring her right down, Mrs. Wood.

Speaker 2:
[12:16] I can't wait to see my pooky face fluff buns again.

Speaker 1:
[12:20] Uh-huh.

Speaker 3:
[12:22] Has anyone seen Perky? She's gone.

Speaker 5:
[12:25] You know, I haven't heard her growl all morning.

Speaker 3:
[12:28] Perky, where are you?

Speaker 5:
[12:29] I'll look in the basement.

Speaker 2:
[12:30] Perky.

Speaker 3:
[12:34] I'm checking upstairs again.

Speaker 1:
[12:35] Mrs. Wood, Arthur lost your dog.

Speaker 2:
[12:38] My poor little sweet baby.

Speaker 1:
[12:41] I don't know if I'd call her sweet.

Speaker 2:
[12:44] Is that her?

Speaker 1:
[12:45] Everyone, come on up.

Speaker 6:
[12:47] You won't believe this.

Speaker 3:
[12:49] What's going on, Arthur?

Speaker 2:
[12:51] Are you all right?

Speaker 3:
[12:52] Look, everyone. Perky had puppies.

Speaker 2:
[12:58] And look how comfortable you've made her. You've done a wonderful job.

Speaker 4:
[13:04] Well, this explains it. Dogs often behave differently when they're ready to give birth.

Speaker 2:
[13:10] Exactly. Oh, Arthur, how can I ever thank you?

Speaker 3:
[13:18] This one's a little licker.

Speaker 2:
[13:19] How about a puppy as a reward, Arthur? Would you like to have this, sweet guy?

Speaker 5:
[13:29] You've earned it, Arthur.

Speaker 3:
[13:38] I'm Arthur. I'm going to take care of you.

Speaker 1:
[13:41] Now, what should I name you? Seven dollars.

Speaker 3:
[13:45] That's a weird name, DW.

Speaker 1:
[13:47] No, seven dollars is what you owe me. And now you can pay me, because Mrs. Wood is going to pay you ten dollars.

Speaker 2:
[13:57] So I am. Payment to the best pet sitter in town, Arthur.

Speaker 3:
[14:06] So, podcast people, that's how I got my dog, Pal. I know that a lot of you really love your pets, too. So let's check my inbox to hear about your pets.

Speaker 1:
[14:16] I love my dog Ruby because she's fluffy and cute. My pet is a dog, and her name is Rig. She plays tech of war with us, and she's a very nice dog. She slides down the banister just like me, and she loves playing with toys. She's soft like a stuffed animal.

Speaker 3:
[14:45] You love your pets just like I love Pal. Okay, boy, let's get some exercise. Want to play fetch? Gotta go, podcast people. I gotta play with my dog. See you next time.

Speaker 6:
[15:01] Pal, go long!

Speaker 3:
[15:05] You've been listening to The Arthur Podcast. Hey, parents, do you want your kids to answer my next inbox question? First, go to the Arthur website at pbskids.org. Then email me a voice recording of your child's response to arthur at wgbh.org. Your child's answer might even be featured on a future podcast.

Speaker 1:
[15:29] That's the show podcast, people. If you liked it, ask your grown-up to subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes. You can listen to all our podcasts, play games, and more at pbskids.org.

Speaker 3:
[15:43] The Arthur Podcast is produced for PBS Kids by GBH Kids in partnership with Gen Z Media and distributed by PRX. Thanks for listening, and have a wonderful kind of day.