Fact: the dictionary defines a hero as a person who is admired for courage,
outstanding achievements or noble qualities.
Now, if you ask a bunch of third-graders...
What does "hero" mean to you?
Someone who can fly.
Who avenges justice in her community.
With super hearing and super vision.
And saves the day by throwing cars and stuff.
I think there are a lot of different kinds of heroes.
-But-- -I know.
It was rude of me to cut him off. It's okay.
That's Charles, my little brother.
Anyway, ask those same kids who their hero is...
-My mom. -Definitely my mom.
-My dad. -Billie Eilish.
Which is funny,
because none of my friends' parents can fly or throw a car.
You know, I'm not sure about Billie Eilish, but I doubt it.
Tensions ran high as local residents and nearby businesses were evacuated.
But thanks to the unwavering courage
of the Middleton Fire Department's first responders,
-it looks like this... -I really hope Dad's okay.
He could certainly use a hot shower.
-Hey. -Dad!
-Otherwise I'm great. -Were you scared?
You bet I was. If I'd gotten there just a few seconds later,
I would have missed out on the last maple Crumbdillyicious.
Glad you're safe.
Did they sleep?
Lizzie got eight hours. Charles, not so much.
-He worries about you. -Did you save anyone's life?
As a matter of fact, I did.
A little girl, as she was trapped, hiding in the corner of the cabin.
You wanna meet her?
A puppy!
Can we keep her, please?
-She could be my birthday present. -That's not fair.
-She should be my dog. I'm older. -So?
So I know way more about dogs than you do.
-Guys, that's enough. -You know more about dogs than anyone.
-So what? Mom, tell her I'm right. -Dad, come on.
Okay. Hey. Listen up. Your dad and I discussed this,
and we don't think we're ready for a puppy.
-What? -What? When did you discuss this?
Just now. We looked at each other like this.
How's that a discussion?
Just like when I look at you like this, you know exactly what it means.
-It means we can't keep her. -The station is printing up flyers
and sending an email blast to see if we can locate her owner.
Did you know if a missing pet's owner hasn't been located within seven days,
there's a 90% chance that it's been abandoned?
So, while you're looking for her owner, where is she going to stay?
I have a great feeling about this discussion.
Me too.
I mean, it's only a few days. How much damage can she do to the mudroom?
-Yes! -Yes! Thank you.
Told ya.
I just thought of a great name. Ashley.
We can call her Ash, since Dad found her in the ashes.
Or, since she rose from the ashes, we could call her Phoenix.
I'm reading a book on mythological creatures.
But I like the name Ash too.
Anyway, I have a work deadline, so she's your responsibility.
Feeding, cleaning, keeping her out of trouble.
We got it covered, Mom.
And let's keep her off the new rug. Your dad gets a pass this one time.
Since it's Ash's first day in a strange new place,
I think it would be a great idea for Charles and I to stay home from school
-and keep her company. -Yeah, that's a great idea.
Can we?
What?
-Debate club? -Just handed in my closing statements.
-Cooking class? -They ran out of flour.
-Excellent. Bus stop at 3:00? -Copy that.
What a good pup.
Who's a good pup? You are.
I've been called many things, Mr. Peterson, but a good pup...
that's a first. Hope you had a lovely nap.
Hey, Charles, what's in the bag?
Some vegan chili, pretzel dust, half a grilled cheese sand--
You can't just feed a puppy random leftovers.
-It has to have a well-balanced diet. -Yeah, I know that.
Okay, we can't make any mistakes.
If we wanna convince Mom and Dad to let us keep Ash,
everything has to be perfect.
Oh, boy.
-Oh, God. -What did you do?
Yuck! You still smell like smoke.
Okay. We have half an hour before Mom gets home.
I'll give her a bath. You clean the room.
Why can't I give her a bath and you clean the room?
Charles, we don't have time to argue. We have to work together as a team.
That's the only way we'll keep her.
Okay, but is she gonna be my dog or your dog?
Neither. She'll be our dog. Okay?
Okay. Why can't I give her a bath and you clean the room?
You might get soap in her eyes. We'd have to rinse it out with saline,
which we don't have, because Mom threw it out after Dad got LASIK.
-Although we could make some with two-- -It's fine.
-You wash the dog and I'll clean the room. -Perfect. Come on, Ash.
Mom just pulled up. The mudroom's clean. How was Ash's bath?
Surprising.
-No way! -Very much way.
She was covered in soot. Turns out she's actually a golden retriever.
Lizzie? Charles?
In here.
Okay. Time to introduce Mom to...
-Goldie. -Goldie?
Well, she doesn't look like an Ash anymore, does she?
Goldie the golden retriever?
I like it.
So, how was Ash's first day--
Who's that?
We were really worried about smoke inhalation.
It can be really bad for dogs.
I think she knows that.
I do see something in here. A cute little pink puppy eardrum.
Her lungs are good. Her heartbeat's spot on.
She is healthy and good to go.
So, how much do we owe you?
Let me see.
Checkups on adorable puppies rescued from burning buildings are on the house.
-Thanks. -Thank you.
Thank you both for taking such good care of Goldie. She's perfect.
-Now all she needs is a lot of PLC. -You mean TLC?
No, PLC. Patience, love and consistency.
I know she's not gonna get a shortage of love from you two,
-but puppy training can take time. -If you have any tips...
Well, I am a huge fan of early interspecies socialization.
Introducing her to other dogs.
There has been some debate in the pet care community,
-but I feel they're-- -Debate.
No, I'm late for the tournament. I gotta go.
Hey, please promise me you will take her straight home.
-Yeah. Promise. -Bye.
Bye.
Get her all to yourself.
Goldie, look.
Hi.
I saw your golden retriever sitting in the window,
and I thought that maybe they could socialization-ize.
Socialize? With Rufus? Oh, no, no, no.
The only thing Rufus wants to do is sit by himself and stare out that window.
Why?
He's been that way ever since my beloved Henry passed away last year.
I'm sorry.
Look. I know you don't know me or Goldie, but could we try?
I mean, I think it could be really good for her and Rufus.
And then my parents might let me keep her.
It couldn't hurt if they just meet, right?
It could hurt all right.
Rufus has gotten kind of prickly in his old age,
and your pup is much more likely to end up a chew toy than a protégée.
Now, you should go home, and I need to get back to-- Rufus!
Oh, no! Oh, no, no! Rufus!
-Goldie, stop! -Rufus, no! Rufus!
Grandma, what's going on?
That's what's going on, Sammy.
-No way. -Very much way.
It's weird we've never seen each other at school.
I don't know too many kids. My grandma and I just moved here four months ago.
-Was that after your grandpa died? -My grandpa?
Your grandpa. Henry.
No. Henry was our other dog. He was really old.
-Goldie really loves that bone. -I can't believe Rufus let her have it.
The peanut butter ones are his favorite. He must really like her.
I think she likes him too.
Does Rufus do any tricks?
A few. Hey, Rufus. Paw bump.
Cool. Do you think you could teach Goldie?
I don't know. But we can try.
So, how was the debate?
Your sister was amazing. I think you would have enjoyed it.
-Where were you? -It's a long story, but--
-Morning. -You slept late.
Morning.
Rough night at the station.
Took me forever to beat Lt. Fleckman at Mega Cart Racer.
Congrats. I know how hard you've been working on your brake drifting.
Any puppy updates?
As a matter of fact, I have both good news and bad news.
Bad first, please.
No one has come forward to claim her, so it looks like you were right.
Goldie might have been abandoned.
-So, the good news is? -A newlywed couple saw the flyer,
and they are very interested in adopting Goldie.
-They're coming this weekend to meet her. -You said good news.
That's the worst news ever!
-Honey, we said a few days. -No, you said a few days.
Come on. Goldie is such a good puppy. And smart. Watch.
Wait, what are you doing?
Charles, I told you to keep her off the new rug.
I taught her a trick. Trust me.
Okay, Goldie. Paw bump.
Come on, you know this. Paw bump.
Goldie, no!
Come on, little girl. Hey. Let's go outside.
Charles, meet me in the kitchen.
And bring both of your piggy banks.
Great trick, Charles. Thanks for ruining any chance we ever had.
So, yeah. I totally blew it.
Lizzie won't talk to me...
which I guess isn't all bad, but still.
Wait, no. Here, use this.
It's the only straw you'll ever need.
I mean, do you know how many trees that saves? And turtles.
I bet my parents won't even let me have a turtle now.
That's a good thing. Turtles are much happier in their natural habitats,
and they can live for over a hundred years.
I mean, like, who would take care of it then?
I'm just saying.
I'm gonna have to wait until I'm a grown-up to get a puppy.
Well,
if you wanna bring Goldie to my house, we can maybe teach her more tricks.
Then maybe your parents will change their minds
-before those people come to meet her. -I don't know.
Please. Rufus is sad. He spends all day just staring out the window.
But he loved playing with Goldie.
And so did I. She reminds me a lot of Henry.
Why not? I guess the worst that can happen is she pees on your grandma's rug.
-Paw bump? -Yeah.
-It's me. -That's why I locked it.
Come on, Lizzie. I know I messed up. But I think I know a way I can fix it.
But I can't do it without you. We're a team, right?
Okay, Rufus. Sit.
There you go. Your turn.
-Hey, Goldie. Up, and then sit. -Up.
To sit you gotta stand up. So, up and then sit.
She really loves those peanut butter bones.
Hey, Charles.
Listen, I feel bad for getting so mad at you. You didn't deserve it.
I mean, a lot of the times you do, but... not this time.
It's okay. You thought we were gonna lose Goldie.
-I'd be mad too. -Not just that.
I think sometimes I like to feel in control.
Sometimes?
Anyway. As part of a team, I know I can't control everything.
You get a pass this one time.
Thanks.
Okay. We have three days to train Goldie until those people come.
And then when Mom and Dad see how amazing you are,
you get to live with us forever.
Come on.
Come on. Come on.
And here they are.
And this must be Goldie.
You are so cute.
Kids, meet the Lus.
I thought they weren't coming till Saturday.
We've been staring at Goldie's picture every day. We couldn't wait.
-Can we pet her? -Yeah.
Just, right now she-- she's thirsty.
-Yeah, thirsty. -Yeah. She-- You know, you gotta hydrate.
Okay. So, couple questions.
Is your yard fenced in?
It is. Three acres, so there's plenty of room for her to run.
I mean, that's good, but she can't just run around all the time by herself.
It's important that there's someone home most of the day.
-Lizzie. -I work from home.
I'm an organic chef, and you'll be happy to know I plan on cooking
all Goldie's food myself.
Puppies have very different nutritional needs from adult dogs.
I think we've got it covered.
Don was actually in his third year of vet school
when he left to start up his own eyeglass company.
For every pair of glasses we sell,
we donate one to a needy child from an underdeveloped country.
-So, college dropout? I don't know. -Lizzie, that's enough.
I'm sorry. They've grown quite attached to the puppy.
It's totally understandable.
Sorry, here's Goldie.
-Wish me luck. -Peanut butter?
So cute.
Hey, Mom, is it okay if we let Goldie off the leash?
I think it would be good for the Lus to see her when she's more relaxed.
-You know a lot about dogs. -Sure do.
Okay.
Cute.
My purse.
Just being a puppy. Okay, Goldie. Put it down.
-Goldie. -Okay.
I-- Goldie.
Oh, God.
Goldie, you definitely have a wild streak.
That will go down in history.
The great puppy peanut butter prank of the twenty-first century.
I don't think the Lus will be getting a puppy for a long time.
You know, I hope you're wrong.
They'd be a great family, just for the right dog.
As long as it's not Goldie. She's ours.
-Well, that was something. -I know.
It's so interesting how dogs behave around people they just don't like.
And look how she acts around the people who she does like.
You're not mad at her, are you?
Of course not. It's not Goldie's fault.
We had no idea what a handful she was.
What do you mean? And why do you have Goldie's leash?
Your dad and I found a wonderful animal shelter right here in Middleton.
They're better equipped to handle an energetic puppy like Goldie.
And it really is the best option for her.
-I'm gonna drop her off tomorrow. -Dad, you can't!
Honey, this is a debate you're not going to win.
You two can say goodbye in the morning, okay?
Come on, sweetheart.
Come on.
I messed up... again.
Hey.
Couldn't wait until the morning either?
You know how I can never sleep when Dad's out fighting a fire?
Yeah?
Well, Goldie has a mom and dad too.
Probably brothers and sisters.
Do you think she wonders if they're ever gonna come back?
I don't know.
Now all she has is us. And we're giving her away.
It's not fair.
Well, you know, Charles, so many people are gonna see Goldie at that shelter.
They're gonna fall in love with her and wanna take her home
and make her part of their family.
Do you really think so?
-I do. -I hope you're right.
You know, sometimes if you believe good things will happen, they do.
That's why I can sleep when Dad's away. I always know he's gonna come home safe.
Hey.
Morning. I just got a strange voice mail from Don Lu.
Something about being able to make a sandwich with his pants.
And then we found this.
Uh-oh.
And that was the plan: to train Goldie with Rufus every day this week
so you could see how great she is and finally let us keep her.
But the Lus came early and ruined everything.
You know, if you think about it, it's actually all their fault.
-Yeah. -So, yeah.
-Are you done? -One more thing.
Charles and I will agree to a 50% allowance reduction
for however long it takes to pay back the Lus for ruining her expensive purse.
And his pants.
Yep.
-Now we're done. -Okay.
Let me tell you two something about good parenting.
Okay. All right.
Listen up. No matter how hard you try, you make mistakes, a lot of them.
At the end of the day, that's not what's important.
Because the most important thing about being a good parent
is doing what's best for your kids.
So your point is you know what's best for us,
and that's giving away Goldie?
And even though we totally disagree,
it doesn't matter, because you're being good parents?
You two messed up. All right?
Like your dad said, all good parents make mistakes.
Wait, we're the good parents?
When you were little,
we were having a terrible thunderstorm and you could not fall asleep.
Wanna know what your dad and I did?
We built a blanket fort and stayed with you all night long.
Looked a lot like the one you two built for Goldie.
I think we used the same blankets.
And when we saw that, we both realized you're ready for a puppy of your own.
-Really? -What?
And we didn't even have to look at each other.
-Yes! -Oh, my...
But only after you call the Lus and apologize.
And promise to keep her off the rug until we put in a doggy door.
-Okay. Deal. -Yes! Okay.
Come on.
-Goldie! Goldie! Goldie! -Goldie! Goldie, guess what? Goldie.
Goldie? Where is she?
-Goldie? -Goldie?
Come on. It's okay, girl.
-Charles? -What?
I think Goldie might have made her own doggy door.
-Goldie! -Goldie!
-Goldie! Where is she?
Do you think she knew she was going to the shelter?
She's smart, but not that smart. Maybe she just wanted to play?
That doesn't make sense. Why would she run away?
-She can play with us. -I don't know, Charles.
I know where she is. Follow me.
Look at them playing. Like BFFs.
-That's how he used to play with Henry. -I know.
You must be so happy your parents are letting you keep Goldie.
-Yeah. Yeah. -What's wrong?
Nothing. She just looks really happy playing with Rufus.
Yeah. Really happy.
My sister and I just had a discussion,
and we were wondering how you'd feel about adopting Goldie.
What?
Look, we love Goldie.
But what's most important is what's best for her.
And for Rufus.
And you, and you, Sammy.
Really? Are you sure?
Yeah.
We're sure.
Grandma, can we? Please?
On one condition.
The two of you have to agree to be Goldie's godparents.
-Deal. -Deal.
I think we have a deal.
Hey, Rufus, come. We've got amazing news.
Goldie, come.
Goldie.
Don't worry. My friend Sammy is an excellent dog trainer.
I'm not worried a bit. I think they're gonna be best friends.
Anyway, if you were wondering what Charles was gonna say earlier
when I cut him off, here you go.
You know, he's actually pretty smart for a third-grader.
I mean, he is my brother.
I think there are a lot of different kinds of heroes,
but the one thing they all have in common is helping others.
And those others don't have to be people. They can be dogs too.
Dogs are awesome. They give us companionship and love.
And sometimes help us make new friends.
But they need us to take care of them and be their heroes.
The end.