It's a Dog's Life, Charlie Brown

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Lore & Background

In the Peanuts universe, Snoopy's mischief has finally pushed the other kids too far. They all demand that Charlie Brown do something about it, as Snoopy is his dog. Reluctantly, Charlie Brown decides to send Snoopy back to his birthplace, the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, for obedience training. The journey is a two-day trip, so Charlie Brown calls Peppermint Patty and asks to let Snoopy stay there for one night en route. Peppermint Patty agrees, but a scheming Snoopy decides to stay on and has her waiting on him, hand and foot, which confuses her. A week later, the Puppy Farm calls Charlie Brown to inform him that Snoopy never arrived. Realizing Snoopy is still at Peppermint Patty's house, Charlie Brown goes over with a leash to take Snoopy home, but the dog escapes and runs back. Peppermint Patty lets Snoopy stay, but instead of returning to the easy life he enjoyed, she puts him to work doing menial chores, much to his dismay.

In Their Own Story

As the other children start to miss Snoopy, Charlie Brown tries to bring him home again, but Snoopy, still angry at Charlie Brown and the others for what they suggested to do with him, breaks the leash and sends Charlie Brown away again. Devastated by Snoopy's refusal to return home, and feeling remorsefully guilty for the horrid way they've treated him, Charlie Brown and the other kids call out for him to come home. That night, while doing dishes, upon realizing the mistake he's made, Snoopy, having finally had enough, becomes infuriated and starts breaking dishes. Peppermint Patty puts him in the garage as punishment. While there, Snoopy feels equally just as guilty and remorseful for how he treated Charlie Brown and the others, and realizes that he has a better life at home and begins to howl incessantly. When Peppermint Patty comes out to check on him, he dashes out of the garage and attacks her, before gathering all his belongings from inside the house and running back home to an overjoyed Charlie Brown, with whom he reconciles and compromises with by promising to behave better if his real owner does not send him away or plan to mistreat him. The next day, after taking Linus on a wild blanket ride and picking a fight with Lucy, the other children are also glad that Snoopy is back. Contented, Snoopy goes to nap on top of his doghouse.

Reader's Guide

The special features the voice cast including Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown, Bill Melendez as Snoopy, Sally Dryer as Lucy van Pelt, Chris Shea as Linus van Pelt, Gai DeFaria as Peppermint Patty, Glenn Mendelson as Schroeder, Ann Altieri as Violet, Lisa DeFaria as Patty, and Matthew Liftin as 5. He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown was the last Peanuts special featuring the majority of the original voice cast from the first Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was also the first special to credit Bill Melendez as the voice of Snoopy. Both He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown and You're in Love, Charlie Brown were nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming in 1968. Stock footage from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) is used when Snoopy flies on his doghouse. The ending segment where Snoopy and Lucy quarrel was inspired by a comic strip storyline that originally ran May 24–29, 1965. It was later adapted for The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1983) episode "Snoopy: Man's Best Friend" and the French television series Peanuts (2014) episode "L'amour du risque".

Did You Know?

• He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown was originally broadcast on CBS on February 14, 1968.
• It was the last Peanuts special to feature the majority of the original voice cast from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
• It was the first Peanuts special to credit Bill Melendez as the voice of Snoopy.
• Both He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown and You're in Love, Charlie Brown were nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming in 1968.
• Stock footage from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) is used when Snoopy flies on his doghouse.