Dog of Death

Season 3, Episode 19, Aired
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Episode Summary

The family is forced to scrimp, save and cut back in order to a pay for Santa's Little Helper's life-saving surgery.
8.5
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Fan Episode Reviews (8)

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  • superb

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By futuramarama, Aug 19, 2011 Report Abuse
    what i liked- homer's fantasy of being tall and gold, the emotional conflict of the simpsons maybe having to put Santa's Little Helper down, Burns taking in SLH and trying to make him an attack dog, the Simpsons getting their beloved dog back at the end of the episode, amongst other things.
    as usual, pretty great episode by my favorite simpsons writer. lots of good gags and it was kind of emotional whenbart feared they would have to put SLH down. B+/A- as my final grade.moreless

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  • this ep was really good

    8.5
    "Great"
    By cube2k8, May 15, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the simpsons the lottery feaver has made its way to springfield and has made kent brockman and other richer and the simpsons reize they need to get him a big sugrey that cost alot of money so they deicide to do what ever they can by cutting back on everything and saving money and then santas little helper runs away and it goes to mr burns who trains it to be a killer dog and it starts to go after bart but barts love for the dog wins out in the end of the show . this was a good ep of the simpsonsmoreless

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  • Schwartzwelder writes another fine Simpsons episode.

    8.4
    "Great"
    By DaGamePhreak, Jul 24, 2008 Report Abuse
    "Dog of Death" is one of the better written episodes of season 3 - written by who-other than John S. The episodes combines emotion and comedy and makes for one great Simpsons episode. In it, it's revealed Santa's Little Helper has a "twisted stomach" that will be expensive to fix. After debate, Homer and Marge agree to the operation, even though everyone in the family had to make a sacrifice. Santa's Little Helper gets the surgery, and he gets some special attention afterwards. Homer: "I want to pet him again."
    Marge: "You can pet the cat."
    Homer: "The cat? What's the point?"

    Really, a good, solid season 3 episode.moreless

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  • This is the stuff that true Simpsons episodes are made out!!!! series classic most definately

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Iverson82094, Jan 29, 2008 Report Abuse
    Homer believes that he will win the big lottery of $130,000,000 and buys 50 tickets, but none of them are the winning ticket. Meanwhile, Santa's Little Helper has to be rushed to the hospital to undergo an emergency operation; he has a twisted stomach. Homer is saddened to tell Bart and Lisa that they just can't afford the $750 for the operation, but seeing how much everyone--including himself--loves the dog, he resolves to find a way to pay for it.

    To save up the money, everyone must give up their small luxuries and begin to resent the dog for forcing them to lose out on the things they enjoy. Hurt and dejected, Santa's Little Helper runs away from home, only to be adopted by Mr. Burns, who trains him to become one of his vicious attack hounds.

    After a long brainwashing process, Santa's Little Helper becomes a bloodthirsty killer. When Bart goes to Burns' mansion to retrieve his dog, Santa's Little Helper tries to attack him but remembers all the good times they had and snaps out of his brainwashed state. The dog then returns to his loving family.moreless

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  • Another excellent Simpson's episode!

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By starman100, Jun 29, 2007 Report Abuse
    This, along with 'Marge...' are perfect examples of The Simpson's at the top of their game. Some parts in this with Santa's little helper were slightly emotional as well.
    In some parts, this episode made me happy and sad at the same time, again, this is FLAWLESS. This episode also has my favourite Simpson's quote ever, Homer: 'If you were 17 we'd be rich! But no, you had to be 10!'

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Ned Flanders wears his Assassins sneakers. He bought them in 7F14, "Bart's Dog Gets an F." Edit
    • A "Give a Hoot! Read a Book!" poster hangs in the library Edit
    • Miss Hoover's hair color is blue in this episode. Edit

  • Notes

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    • The plot for this episode was based on a dog that writer John Swartzwelder had as a child, the dog became sick and his family could not afford to pay for its operation so it was put to sleep. Edit
    • Until his death, Vince Edwards said one of his favorite moments was being parodied on The Simpsons, and he was actually remembered for his work. Edit
    • Blackboard Joke: I saw nothing unusual in the teacher's lounge. Couch Gag: Homer lies on the couch then the rest of the family sits on him. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Homer: (about Santa's Little Helper) Aw, how come he gets meat and we don't? Marge: You wouldn't want what he's eating, it's mostly just snouts and entrails. Homer: Mmmm, snouts. Edit
    • Veterinarian: This is the part of the job I hate the most. (Tosses hampster into trashcan with mini-basketball hoop) Homer: Hey, you did the best you could. Veterinarian: I love animals. I spend my life saving them and they can't thank me. Well, the parrots can. Let's see what's wrong with this one. Edit
    • Bart: (after Homer explains about Doggie Heaven) Hey, wait a minute. Does this have to do anything with Santa's Little Helper? Marge: Oh, honey, seven hundred and fifty dollars is a lot of money. We really can't afford this operation. Bart: You're gonna just let him die? Marge: I know you're upset. Bart: Darn right, I'm upset! Marge: Bart! Watch your language! Oh, you did. Sorry. Bart: I'm not gonna let our dog die and that's it! (leaves the kitchen and mumbles to himself) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Peter and the Wolf The music that follows Santa's Little Helper's adventure when he runs away from home is from the musical Peter and the Wolf. Edit
    • Croesus and Mammon: This is the intersection at which Monty Burns lives. Croesus was the King of Lydia in 6th century BC infamous for his fabulous wealth (and vanity about it). Mammon was a demon in Judeo-Christian theology famous for his extreme avarice. Edit
    • Old Yeller
      Santa's Little Helper attacking the bear is a take on the film Old Yeller. Edit

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