It's a Dog's Life (The Ren & Stimpy Show)

Plot

A homeless Ren and Stimpy are caught and sent to the dog pound, where they face imminent death in a gas chamber. They are saved by an unnamed rich and senile lady on the verge of death, who ordains them while a priest is present. The duo feed themselves in her limousine, grateful for their survival, and she names them "Abraham" and "Levictus," which they reluctantly accept. At their new home, Ren attempts to shake hands with a dog he believes is a fellow pet, only to discover it is dead; the lady explains that the dog, Ezekiel, died in his sleep and was freeze-dried via taxidermy.

The duo are condemned as apparently possessed and handed to the butler, Mr. Hao, a stereotypical Chinese muscular man who beats them severely. Forced to eat literal rocks advertised as dog food, Ren breaks his teeth and Stimpy chokes; Ren's attempt at the Heimlich maneuver is seen as a threat, and the lady sprays Stimpy with water. A veterinarian further harms them. The duo sleep in the living room but are moved to the yard, which is a cemetery for her pets.

They escape by pushing a brick, which crushes Ren, and Stimpy helps him. They run into a policeman, who nearly sends them to the pound until Ren reveals their address. Returning home, they find the lady dead from lead poisoning, implied to have been killed by Mr. Hao, who drops a lead pipe. Mr. Hao inherits everything except the duo, who are euthanized, freeze-dried, and used as statues alongside the lady. Mr. Hao dusts the statues and departs to enjoy his wealth.

Production

This episode reworks the banned 1992 installment "Man's Best Friend," swapping George Liquor for a female counterpart named Granny. Ken Bruce directed, his second time in the role, after taking over from Vincent Waller on "The Great Outdoors." The Dog Catcher from "Big House Blues" reappears, now voiced by showrunner Bob Camp because original actor Jim Smith departed during season two. Wang Film Productions in Taiwan handled the animation, an unusual choice for the series. The final version was heavily cut to remove numerous scenes where Granny mistreats Ren and Stimpy.