[woman] Welcome to the grand opening
of our newest Bowser's Backyard Doggy Day Care,
right here in Middleton.
With state-of-the-art facilities and a passion for professionalism,
it's no wonder Bowser's is the top-rated doggy day care in the region.
-Come see what everyone's barking about. -[barks]
Your dog is in great paws here at Bowser's.
I still can't believe I get to be a student volunteer at Bowser's.
-This truly is a dream come true. -[both chuckle]
No, I'm serious. I actually dreamed about it.
I heard that Bowser's Backyard
is one of the largest female-owned businesses in the state.
-[Paul] Hmm. -You heard that from me.
I knew it was a reputable source.
I mean, a business based on taking care of dogs
is the perfect place for me to volunteer for service week.
Who knows? Maybe one day I'll open my own Bowser's
and be able to be surrounded by dogs all day, every day.
Now, honey, I know you're excited, but you don't start for two days.
Maybe you should take off the uniform before dinner.
-What are we having? -Sloppy joes.
Yep, I should change.
[Paul] Mmm.
So, buddy, we know what Lizzie's doing. What's your plan for service week?
I bet he'll pay attention to this.
No, no, wait! It's almost done.
They're about to explain how Lord Koh became the Majestic Dog Warrior.
-But what about-- -Service week?
I promise I'll pick something. I promise.
Just make sure you do it by tomorrow. Did you hear me?
Charles.
Charles!
[Mr. Lally] Charles.
-Charles! -Uh, two-thirds.
Pardon me?
-Uh, two-thirds is bigger than one-half. -Correct.
-[sighs] -Unfortunately,
fractions was 15 minutes ago.
We're now discussing service week, which you have failed to sign up for.
Notice how I emphasize the word "failed."
I have a good explanation.
Is there more to that sentence?
It's my fault. [sighs]
I find that hard to believe, Sammy.
Maybe we should hear him out.
Um, Charles and I are doing a team project,
and I forgot to put his name on the sign-up sheet.
[chuckles] See, I told you there was a good explanation.
Very well then.
[sighs]
[dog barks]
Lizzie! You're here early.
I read that in business, early is on time, on time is late…
-[together] …late is unacceptable. -[both chuckle]
That is exactly what I learned from our founder, Emma Bowser, herself.
Um, I brought these to celebrate my first day.
Oh, thank you. They look delicious.
No! Those are for the dog "guests."
I wanted them to have something homemade while they're here, away from home.
Oh, how thoughtful.
So, you have a permit to operate a kitchen for commercial purposes?
No, just a regular kitchen.
But our dishwasher does have a sanitize setting.
[sighs] Unfortunately, we can only serve commercial-grade treats here.
I know it may sound a little extreme,
but there's a reason that we're the best at what we do.
That's why I like to follow Mrs. Bowser's rules.
Uh, you don't have to tell me about rules.
You do have to tell me about these rules, but not about rules in general.
-Rules rule. -[chuckles]
[sighs] Everything looks just as good as the commercial.
I think we found the right place, pal.
-He's so cute. -[chuckles] Believe me, he knows it.
-What's his name? -Oh, Count Pugsworth von Smooshface.
-But I mostly call him Pugsley. -[chuckles]
We're delighted you chose Bowser's to care for Pugsley.
Here is your welcome packet and your new client manual.
Let me show you the facilities.
There's no need. I already took the virtual tour.
So Pugsley loves attention, and he can be a little bit of a handful.
Okay. Don't be mad. Daddy will be back soon. Pugs and kisses.
Okay. All right.
I'll, uh… [chuckles]
-Thank you. -[man] All right.
[Lizzie chuckles]
-I can, um, put him in his kennel. -Oh.
I love the can-do attitude, Lizzie, but our regulations clearly state…
only full-time employees can handle the dogs.
[whispers] Here you go, sweetie.
Do you understand?
Not totally, but that's okay. It's service week and I'm here to serve.
Anything you need, just name it.
[doors creak]
I name it "the big mess."
[sighs]
Sammy, guess what? They just dropped the new season of AnimeZing Adventures.
-[barks] -[chuckles] Goldie!
-Ah. Where's Rufus? -Upstairs in Grandma Dayle's room.
I don't blame him. What's that smell?
That is our service week project.
Composting is a way to break down organic matter
so it can be used as fertilizer to help plants grow.
-Oh. Okay. -I know. It's so cool.
Not only that,
we'll be donating our compost to the Middleton Community Garden.
-So let's get postin'. -What if we watch, then work?
The Majestic Dog Warrior has a new sidekick,
Moshi Mosha, a talking ball of ice cream.
-[barks] -Goldie wants to watch too.
Okay. Did I mention that we're not just pit composting?
I decided to kick it up a notch. We're vermicomposting too.
Vermi-what?
It's composting, but with some special friends to help us out.
Worms?
Not just any worms. Red wrigglers. Ah.
You, me, and miracle of nature.
-Yeah, it's gonna be great, right? -Yeah, great.
[sighs]
[dog yelps, whimpers]
-Pugsley? Is that you? -[whimpers]
Aw, I know.
[sighs] It's my first day too.
-Lizzie. -Oh. I'm-- I'm sorry.
I just-- Pugsley started whining, and my instincts kicked in.
You know, my brother and I, we foster dogs.
That's wonderful, and I really appreciate how much you love dogs.
-But remember, Bowser's is a business. -Of course.
As for Pugsley, some dogs just take a little time to get settled.
He'll be fine.
-[Pugsley whimpers] -[Lizzie sighs]
Just stick to the rules, and you'll do great.
Bang-up job on the shed, by the way.
I see a five-star evaluation in your future.
[chuckles] Thanks, Ruth. I won't let you down.
[Pugsley whimpering]
But I don't want to let you down either, Pugsley.
Mmm. [chuckles]
[grunts] Can I have one more?
[chuckling] Hey. Somebody loves my secret taco recipe.
Leftover sloppy joe in a tortilla with hot sauce?
-Shh. Don't ruin the mystery. -[Charles chuckles]
I worked all day with Sammy. I'm starving.
Now you know where the expression "working up an appetite" comes from.
Lizzie, you seem a little down. Did something happen today at Bowser's?
Uh, no. No, no.
I mean, yes. A lot happened. I was just busy.
-Very busy. -I feel like there's a "but" coming.
I just didn't realize there'd be so many rules.
I didn't know Sammy would have so many rules either. Wanna trade?
You can compost, and I can play with the dogs.
It's not playing with dogs.
-It's a business. -[Betsy] Honey, it was your first day.
I bet everyone appreciated you bringing in those homemade treats, right?
Can we just not talk about it?
Of course.
Five, four, three…
It's just-- There's this puppy, Pugsley. He wanted attention, so I held him.
But it's "against the rules" for student volunteers to handle the dogs.
But you know how to hold dogs. You do it all the time. Did you tell them?
Charles, it's not our house. They have their own rules.
I have faith you'll find a way to follow the rules and give Pugsley what he needs.
-Trust your gut. -Yep. Always trust your gut.
My gut says more tacos, please.
[chuckles] Mmm.
[Betsy chuckles]
-[grunts] -Whoa.
Charles. Charles, stop!
[Sammy panting]
Ah, finally.
What do you wanna do now? I know what I wanna do.
No. I mean, stop putting on so much grass.
I guess you didn't read the one-page shortcut guide I gave you.
[sighs] Well, if you had, you'd know to start with a thin layer of grass,
then add a layer of brown, organic material.
Grass again, then brown. Alternating, like lasagna.
Lasagna sounds good.
Wanna eat lunch and watch AnimeZing Adventures of Lord Koh?
-Lunch is for finishers. -Can we at least take a break?
You've been taking breaks and spacing out all day!
I'm not spacing out. It's just composting is not that fun.
How can you say that?
We're taking society's leftovers and creating a fertilizer so valuable,
people call it black gold.
Not to mention, composting pods established in communal gardens
have brought people from all walks of life…
[zapping]
[Charles] Defending the universe is hungry work.
Why don't we hop into your space cone and find some intergalactic lasagna?
-[Sammy] You're spacing out right now. -[grunts]
Sorry. It's just hard to get excited about a bunch of dirt.
A bunch of dirt?
Look, Charles, if you don't want to do this, don't.
No, it's okay. Let's get back to work.
But I might be thinking about Lord Koh the entire time.
[chuckles] All right.
So we really need to get rid of this. Then we need to spread it out.
-[man] You sure you can't take him? -I'm sorry.
We're fully booked this weekend.
Also, boarding reservations have to be made at least 48 hours in advance.
I have to get on this flight last minute for work. I'm really in a jam.
There's no way you can make an exception?
I have to follow the rules.
-[sighs] -I'm sorry.
Excuse me, Mr. von Smooshface?
-Just call me Maz, please. -[chuckles]
Maz, I heard what happened back there, and I think I can help.
You can change the rules?
No, but my brother and I, we foster dogs at our house.
It's a hobby but we have references.
And we'd love to watch Pugsley for the weekend.
You would be a lifesaver. But are you sure?
Like I said, he can be kind of a handful.
[chuckles] This little sweetie?
Trust me. We can handle it.
I don't think I can handle this.
I've tried toys, treats, and the coziest blankets.
No matter what, whenever I put him down, he does this.
[whines]
[whining]
[whining continues]
I understand it at Bowser's, but here, you have nothing to be sad about, Pugsley.
We love you.
Well, he sure looks happy now.
[whines, yelps]
[whining]
-Not so much now. -[Paul] Hmm.
-[whining continues] -[sighs]
[whining stops]
[grunts, chuckles] I mean, it's nonstop.
It's like the further I get, the louder he gets.
I can't carry you around all weekend, bud.
[Paul sighs]
[whining]
Uh, Pugsley.
This is my homework. [chuckles]
What? Aw. [chuckles]
[approaching footsteps]
[sighs] I'm ready for my Pugsley shift.
I figured out why Pugsley's whining all the time.
Pugsley has a really bad case of separation anxiety.
-He hates being alone. -So, we should cuddle him more.
Apparently, that's exactly the wrong way to help him.
How is cuddling ever wrong?
Pugsley reminds me of when you were a baby.
You wouldn't go to sleep by yourself.
You would cry and cry unless someone stayed in the room with you.
So, what'd you do?
I would say good night and leave the room. You'd cry for a while.
I'd come back in, settle you down and then leave again.
We increased the time you were alone
until you could fall asleep and stay that way all night.
That's exactly what this website says to do for Pugsley.
-They trained you like a dog. -We did the same thing for you.
[stammers] Oh.
Well, dogs are the best.
[Betsy chuckles]
Sounds like a good plan, honey.
Should we start now?
[snoring]
I think tomorrow.
How's it going today?
I don't know how many times I've been in and out,
but I think it's working.
Oh.
Pugsley seems calm and happy.
He's been like that for two hours.
I am always amazed at how good you are with dogs.
-Thanks. -[chuckles]
I wish Bowser's felt the same.
[Sammy scoffs]
[groans, grunts]
Oh, Sammy. Uh…
-[whines] -I forgot to call you.
I know. I had to do all of my work and your work.
I was helping Lizzie with Pugsley, and I lost track of time.
-You're sidekicking me. -I didn't touch you.
No. You're treating me like a sidekick. I do whatever you want to do.
But when it's something that I want to do, suddenly it's not that important.
You're Lord Koh, and I'm just a ball of ice cream.
I can't believe you're getting so mad over a-- [grunts]
Say it.
A bunch of dirt.
I didn't say it. You did.
You know what? Forget it.
From now on, I'm the hero, and you're gonna be the sidekick.
The hero of what?
The presentation. I'm gonna do it myself.
-But then what will I do? -I don't know.
Watch the new season of AnimeZing Adventures?
-I just finished it. -[groans]
[stammers]
[sighs]
[whimpers]
[Lizzie] I'm gonna miss you.
Hey.
You really did a great job with Pugsley.
-[chuckles] -He seems a lot happier.
Yeah, he does seem a lot better.
Maz is coming to get him this afternoon.
Is it okay if I pick him up now?
Sure.
[chuckles]
[sighs] I wish you could get Sammy to stop whining too.
I forgot to go to his house one time to work on our service week project.
And now he's mad at me!
You mean the project he's letting you work on as a favor?
[sighs] I know. But I don't really care about composting.
And he was gonna do it by himself anyway.
So, why is it such a big deal?
Because it's important to him, the same way anime's important to you.
Anime is so much better than dirt.
[chuckles]
Look, Charles. Sammy always tries to be interested in whatever you like.
So, why can't you do the same for him?
I mean, he is your best friend.
[sighs]
It's for you. I'll be ready to go in a minute.
Oh, hi, Maz. How's Pugsley?
Lizzie, do you have any idea what you've done?
I told you. I just did some training to help him with his separation anxiety.
Not for Pugsley, for me. I work from home,
and I could never get anything done because Pugsley was so needy.
That's why I took him to Bowser's.
Now you've made both of our lives so much better!
[chuckles] That's great. I can't wait to see you guys at Bowser's.
Oh, no, we're not going back to Bowser's.
-Wait. What? -Yeah, we don't need Bowser's anymore.
I mean, it's way better for him to be home with his dad.
Anyway, Lizzie… [sighs] …we gotta run.
Thank you again for everything you've done.
You really know your stuff. Bye.
-[scoffs] -[sighs]
-He sounded really happy. -Well, Ruth's gonna be really mad.
[sighs] So much for my career at Bowser's.
And I'm gonna get a bad evaluation for service week.
-Why? -Because I lost them a customer.
-I told you, Charles. It's a business. -Yeah, but it's a dog business.
And service week is supposed to be about helping the community, right?
Pugsley's part of the community too.
And you helped him. Doesn't that mean you're good at business?
[chuckles] I don't think it does. But you did make me feel a little better.
Well, you've done it once or twice for me, so…
Okay, you two. Let's go.
[Lizzie sighs]
So, what's with all the bags?
We can't… [grunts] …both fail service week.
[scoffs]
And so, while many people may see compost as just a pile of dirt,
something you step on and don't really think about,
the truly wise understand its value as a friend to the earth and to all of us.
Charles, this is a joint project and you failed to speak.
-Notice the emphasis on-- -Actually, I do have something to say.
I learned a lot working on this project.
Like, composting returns nutrients to our soil.
And that's what makes vegetables so good for you.
Not only that,
it pulls carbon out of the atmosphere to help slow down climate change.
And maybe that doesn't sound exciting, but it's important.
And that's cool.
Also, Sammy and I made these for everyone.
It's a starter jar of compost with instructions,
so each one of you can be a hero in your own yard.
[classmates applauding]
How did you know all that?
The one-page shortcut guide you gave me.
Really? You read it?
Oh, this is so great.
-Wait, is the paper biodegradable? -Don't push it, Sammy.
[dog barks]
Oh, Lizzie. Uh, I'd like a word with you.
Can I just say something really quick?
I am so sorry that I disobeyed the rules and you lost a client because of it.
-That's what I want to talk to you about. -My only defense is,
I didn't volunteer because I like dogs. I volunteered because I love dogs.
I looked up Emma Bowser, and I found out that's why she started her business.
Her favorite quote was, "Find a job you love,
and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
Yeah. [chuckles]
See, that's why I opened my own Bowser's. I love dogs too.
But what about Maz and Pugsley?
Well, as it turns out, Maz gave us the most wonderful online review.
He said that the Bowser's team went "above and beyond the call of duty."
Our phones have been ringing off the hook.
Oh. [chuckles]
Does that mean I get a good evaluation?
[chuckles] More than that. You're getting an apology.
For what?
Well, for underestimating you.
I was too focused on the rules to see that you know more about dogs
than most adults I've worked with.
-[chuckles] -And you didn't just help Pugsley.
You helped me realize that I'd like to make a few changes around here.
[chuckles]
Hi. I'm Ruth from Bowser's Backyard.
In addition to our staff of highly trained employees,
Bowser's now has a community of volunteers
lending their personal touch to keeping your dog happy, safe and loved.
So come to Bowser's Backyard, where we're not just a business,
we're a part of your community.