[camera shutters clicking]
-[man] Charles, Lizzie! -[woman] Charles! Lizzie, over here!
[man] Are you excited about tonight? Congratulations. Lizzie, over here.
Charles, give us a smile.
You two look fantastic.
[woman] How does it feel to be named Fosterers of the Year?
It's an honor just to be nominated.
[man] Charles!
[Lizzie] Charles?
Charles, do you mind? I have to pack that.
-Uh, what? -[sighs]
Did you already forget? It's Maria's birthday.
Uh, no, I didn't forget.
You're going to Maria's godmother's ranch to ride horses and sleep in bunks.
It's a classic "BFF experience."
[chuckles]
Okay, I take it back. Good memory. [chuckles]
[sighs] You know, I love having a best friend.
I mean, I never understood the hype, but now I get it.
-I guess this makes me head honcho. -[scoffs] Head honcho? Of what?
Did you forget?
-We're getting a puppy this weekend. -Not at all.
I was actually gonna make you a detailed checklist,
but I'm running late.
Are you sure you're gonna be okay on your own?
-[man] Charles, you are amazing. -[woman] How do you do it all by yourself?
[Charles chuckles]
Yeah, I'm sure. Enjoy your trip. I've got this.
Do I need to give you that speech about staying out of my room
-while I'm gone? -Uh, no speech necessary.
'Cause you know that coming in here would be
[together] a major violation.
Promise?
I promise.
[chuckles]
-Toothpaste? -Check.
-Pajamas? -Sweats, and check.
Maria's birthday present?
-Definite check. -What'd you get her?
-A friendship bracelet kit. -So much for having a fun time.
Is someone a little jealous?
Of horseback riding? Definitely. Bracelet making? Not so much.
-Okay, you know what? -[Paul clicks tongue]
Dad, what are you wearing? Maria's gonna be here any minute.
Don't worry. I promise to take it off right after she sees me.
-Dad! -[chuckles]
I borrowed it from Lieutenant Fleckman. You want it for the weekend?
I'm okay, thanks.
-Cool! -[Paul chuckles]
Going out of town with your new best friend.
And you, fostering a puppy all by yourself.
It's like you don't even need us anymore. But if you do, for any reason,
use the emergency phone and I will immediately come to the rescue.
-It's kinda my thing. -Okay, everyone chill out.
-This is so not a big deal. -[doorbell rings]
Maria's here! [giggles]
-Yeah. Not a big deal at all. -[chuckles]
-Hey. -[Betsy] Hey.
This is for you.
But it's your birthday. Why are you giving me a present?
They're carrots for Sally, your horse for the weekend.
She's a red mare with the most luxurious mane,
-and she sleeps standing up. -Don't all horses do that?
-You did your homework. [chuckles] -Always.
-You ready? -Yeah.
-Bye. -Bye.
Okay. Call me if you need any help with the dog.
-Won't need to! -Stay out of my room.
Got it!
-It's gonna be pretty quiet around here. -[dog barks]
-[woman] Rascal! -[Rascal barks]
Rascal. Rascal's here.
-[barking continues] -Oh.
Rascal! Rascal, hey. Calm down.
I am so sorry.
I barely cracked the car door and he was already sprinting into your backyard.
-[Rascal whimpers, barks] -Hey. Rascal.
[Charles] Rascal!
It is okay. I'm sure he's just excited to be here.
He is excited to be anywhere.
We thought that having a small dog in a small apartment would be perfect,
-but… not Rascal. -[Charles] Rascal!
He just needs a home with a lot of space because all he wants to do is… run.
-[chuckles] You don't say. -[sighs] I hope this is not an imposition.
Dr. Abby said that when it came to foster families,
the Petersons were the-- Oh, my-- first, second and third choice.
-[Charles] Rascal! -We'll be sure to thank her for that.
-[barking] -[Charles] Rascal! [grunts]
[sighs] Well, you definitely came to the right place.
Rascal's in good hands. Rascal! Rascal!
[Paul sighs]
So, how'd you pick the name?
[horse whinnies]
You're the first friend Maria's brought to the ranch.
You must be a real horse lover.
[chuckles] Well, I definitely love this one.
-That's Munchie. He's a mini horse. -I see that. [chuckles]
I'm so excited for you. You're gonna love riding.
You've never been on a horse?
Well, I did do a pony ride at the mall once, so I'm good.
[horse whinnies]
Whoa. You are not a mini horse.
He certainly isn't. This is my new baby, Sir Galahad.
I suggested the name because Sir Galahad was King Arthur's most noble knight.
-[thud] -[whinnies, snorts]
He is noble, but he can also be a big old grump.
Come on. Your horse is over here.
[whinnies]
This is Sally. She loves to have her neck rubbed.
-Hi, Sally! -[Sally sighs]
I think you might need a ladder. [chuckles]
[whinnies]
Rascal. Rascal?
[Rascal barks]
Aw! Hi.
Good. Good boy. [chuckles]
Finally got you.
Uh, Rascal! [grunts]
We've got a little problem here.
Uh, d-don't worry. I can handle him.
I have a whole training plan.
Uh, do you wanna share any details of this plan?
[growls]
Not right now. I gotta catch him first.
[horse whinnies]
You're gonna spoil Sally with all that brushing.
We're going for a ride, not a walk down the runway.
-She's just so beautiful. -[whinnies]
Come on, Lizzie.
Let's ride. You'll have plenty of time to groom her later.
A-Are you sure? I think Sally may want another carrot. She looks hungry to me.
-Does she look hungry to you? -She's had plenty. Let's mount up.
Uh…
-What's that? -Human-grade doggy treat balls.
I made them myself using my grandma's meatball recipe.
Rascal won't be able to resist.
Maybe we can use them to lure Rascal out of hiding and back into the mudroom.
How do you know he's hiding? Maybe he's taking a nap.
Hmm.
I don't think so.
[sighs] Rascal.
[Lizzie grunts]
[Lizzie gasps]
Oh. [chuckles] What a view.
So high up here.
Isn't it great? I get butterflies before every ride. [chuckles]
I'm definitely feeling something.
Lizzie, we're gonna take it nice and slow.
I'll walk you out, and we can stop anytime if you're not feeling comfortable.
Uh… [chuckles] …no, I'm-- I'm great. Totally.
[Maria] All right.
[both click tongues]
[Lizzie sighs]
-Rascal? -Rascal?
[Sammy] Oh, gee.
-Oh, no. -Uh…
[Charles sighs] We're not allowed in Lizzie's room.
[whimpers]
[Betsy sighs]
Charles, I know you're trying, and training can take a while.
You're the best. Thanks for understanding, Mom.
But you have one day, or we'll have to find an alternative.
Okay?
Treat ball?
[sighs]
-Wh-- -What?
-They're human-grade. Remember? -Oh, yeah.
-[Maria] I told you this was fun. -[sighs] Totally.
You might wanna loosen your shoulders and anchor your heels.
There you go. You're a natural.
-Hmm. -[horse whinnies]
That's Gali demanding his afternoon apple. You okay? He can wait.
Uh… [chuckles] …you go ahead. I've got this.
Okay. I'll be watching from the porch.
You're doing great.
-Thanks. -[horse nickers]
Oh, uh, Major wants to get out of the ring.
Is that okay? We'll be back in no time.
Totally. Sally and I will do a couple laps.
-Get to know each other. -Okay. Great.
[clicks tongue] Come on. [clicks tongue]
[sighs]
Whatever you do, Sally, please don't move.
-[Sally snorts] -[sighs]
[sighs] Rascal's really smart,
but there's no way I can train him by tomorrow.
-Maybe you should get some help. -I'm not calling Lizzie.
I'm not talking about Lizzie. Here. I brought this just in case.
It's a doggy kindergarten. The first class is free with this coupon.
No! Uh--
[Sammy sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs] You been here the whole time?
What? [chuckles] No. Uh, am I in the same spot?
[chuckles] What a crazy coincidence.
-[Sally whinnies] -Aw.
Sally wants to go again. Are you ready?
[crickets chirping]
[footsteps]
[phone buzzes]
Hi, sweetie. Is everything all right?
-Need me to come get you? -Uh, no.
-Everything is okay, kind of. -You and Maria not getting along?
No, I love Maria, but horseback riding, not so much.
[chuckles]
Honey, she is your best friend.
If you tell her how you feel, I am sure she'll understand.
Maybe. [sighs]
What if she doesn't? I don't wanna ruin her birthday.
-[gate squeaks] -Uh, gotta go.
Bracelet time!
-Uh… [sighs] …Maria-- -This is the best birthday gift ever.
Uh, well, not the best. The best is having you here.
Uh, you know, I've been riding my whole life,
but this is the first time I've ever had someone to share it with.
Uh, it's a classic BFF experience.
[chuckles]
-Bracelet time! -Okay. [chuckles]
[dogs panting, whining]
Did you ever think you'd be back in kindergarten again?
They call it that because it sounds better than "obedience school."
We don't say "obedience." We say "cooperation training."
Now, class, let's get started. Single file, dogs on your left.
All right, nice brisk pace. Very good.
-[Charles] Come on, Rascal. -[Sammy] There you go.
[instructor] Keep going.
-[Sammy] Yes. See? This is-- Oh, no! -[instructor] Excellent.
[Charles] Rascal.
-[big dog growls] -[Rascal whimpers, barks]
-[Charles] Stay! Stop! Rascal! -[Sammy] I said stop! No! No! Rascal!
[all dogs barking]
[girls murmuring, chuckling]
Hey, Kathy, check out the bracelet Lizzie made me.
A horseshoe charm and half a heart. The other half is on Lizzie's.
That's very sweet. Major and Sally are all tacked up and ready to go.
-You two ready to ride? -Yeah.
I'll get us some carrots for the road. Meet you out there.
Uh, actually, my, uh, leg is cramping up.
-I should go stretch it. -Oh.
-But you go ahead. I'll be fine. -Are you sure?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course. That's what we're here for, isn't it?
Okay, thanks.
[instructor] I think you all know today is a special day for a very special boy.
It's my honor and pleasure to present this diploma to Harley.
-[applause] -All right. Okay.
All right. There you go.
-No, no! -Oh!
-[Charles] Uh… -Rascal!
I'm so sorry. He's hard to control. That's why we're here.
I understand, but I'm afraid we can't have Rascal back in a group class.
Now, I do offer private sessions.
Uh, can I reuse the coupon?
Sorry. Good luck with him. Bye, Rascal.
-You certainly are cute. -[Rascal whimpers]
[Charles sighs]
-Maria's lucky to have such a good friend. -We're both lucky.
[whinnies]
Gali's not so lucky. He hasn't bonded with any of the other horses just yet.
Aw.
Poor guy. Do you think that's why he's acting out?
My guess is he really doesn't wanna be here,
and he's frustrated because he doesn't know how to tell me.
-[Sammy] I'm close! Come on. Close, close. -No, to the left. No, no. Not--
[Sammy grunts]
This is ridiculous. There's gotta be a better way.
If Lizzie were here, she'd go straight to that shelf,
pull out her book on terriers and read everything about Jack Russells.
No. I mean a better way to get the book.
It may be a major violation for you to go in there,
but did she ever say anything specifically about me?
-No. -Hmm.
-Uh… -This one. Yes, got it!
[Charles sighs]
"Barton's Big Book of Breeds. Volume 9. Terriers."
[Rascal barks]
[whimpers, barks]
Yep, we're trying to figure you out, buddy.
"Jack Russells were named after the Reverend John Russell.
They were bred in England for fox hunting."
Hmm.
"Mikey the Jack Russell and his best friend, Sebastian the horse."
We went to the pond and there was ducks, and Major stopped to say hi to them.
It was so sweet. Sorry you had to miss it.
That's okay. I, uh, helped Kathy get the hair out of the horses' brushes.
So, also fun.
[chuckles]
-Is your leg feeling better? -Oh, yeah.
Great. We've time for one more ride before your parents get here.
Uh, then we can show them how much you've learned.
Uh, maybe you can just show them? You're better at it anyways.
I can show them my grooming.
Oh, come on, Lizzie. It's not about how good you are.
-It's that you love doing it. [chuckles] -Sounds good.
Excellent. Let's go get Sally.
[Maria] Come on.
[Major snorts]
-Wait! We're coming with you. -Thought you were going to Sammy's.
-Uh, we changed our minds. -Sweetheart, we can't fit both of you.
There won't be enough room for Lizzie and Maria on the ride home.
Here. You got this.
All right. Bye, Rascal.
-Bye. -See you later, Sammy.
You are never this eager to see your sister.
I'm guessing this is part of your secret plan for Rascal?
Sure is.
-Okay. Let's go. -[sighs] Come on.
[Charles] Come on, Rascal.
So remember: left foot in the stirrup, and with your right hand--
Maria, I have something to tell you.
[sighs] I don't wanna do this.
What?
I…
I really don't like horseback riding. Like, not at all.
[sighs] So this whole time you were--
Pretending, which I guess is just another way of saying
that I wasn't being completely honest with you.
Here.
You deserve a better best friend who will always tell you the truth.
Sorry.
[sighs] This is my fault.
How is it your fault?
Because I kinda had a feeling you weren't that into it,
but I wasn't positive, so I pretended you were.
If I hadn't been so obsessed with getting you to like riding just because I do,
you would've felt comfortable telling me you hate it.
[sighs] I just wanted this weekend to be perfect.
So did I.
Can you maybe forgive me?
Are you serious? Of course I can forgive you.
-[chuckles] -As long as you forgive me first.
[chuckles]
We're new to this best friend thing, and we're still learning.
And we're both really good students, so we're gonna be fine.
[chuckles] Did we just become even better best friends?
BBFFs with an extra B.
[Maria chuckles] Here.
[both chuckle]
[car horn honks]
[chuckles]
[horse whinnies]
[Charles] Whoa. [chuckles]
-[whinnies] -[Rascal whines, barks]
I hope your plan works.
Survival of our living room furniture depends on it.
First, we get Lizzie and Maria to bring the horses to one side of the fence.
Then I'll bring Rascal to the other side.
That way they'll see each other but won't be able--
-Oh, no! -[Betsy] Oh…
[Sir Galahad whinnies]
Oh, no!
[Rascal barking]
[barking continues]
-Rascal? -Yep.
I can't believe it. Sir Galahad is the least friendly animal I've ever met.
-He seems pretty friendly now. -He sure does.
[barking continues]
[Lizzie chuckles]
[Paul chuckles]
She likes you.
Yeah. I think I like her too.
-A little bit. -[Paul, Betsy chuckle]
You have to come see this. Hurry!
[Paul] Okay.
-Aw! -[Betsy] Oh, my goodness.
That is one happy horse.
-And one exhausted puppy. -[Paul chuckles]
Oh!
You know, Rascal is looking for a forever home.
Looks to me like he's found one.
Really? You're gonna take him?
I don't think Gali would have it any other way.
[Paul, Lizzie chuckle]
[sighs] You really came through for Rascal.
Well, I couldn't have done it without you.
-But you did. -Sort of.
If it wasn't for your book, I never would've known
how well Jack Russells get along with horses.
[chuckles] Wait, wh-what book?
The one on your shelf in the bedroom.
-You went in my room? -Technically, I didn't.
[sighs] Major violation. Major violation! Charles, are you ser--
I leave you alone for once. Just one day and--