A Christmas Tail (2000) - full transcript

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(Thadeus humming)

(gentle music)

- [Thadeus] Oh
boy, it excites me.

- [Tim Voiceover] I was
12 years old the Christmas

that changed my life.

It doesn't seem like
that long ago now,

but it's been nearly 10 years.

It was the best Christmas I
ever had ... and the worst.

(gentle music)

And it was the one Christmas
I remember perfectly,

every single event
that happened.



Because my life
was never the same

after I met the professor.

- Let's see now (hums).

Ah.

Right on time (chuckles).

(gentle music)

(upbeat music)

(dog barking)

- Yeah, hey boy, boy.

Hey.

(dog barking)

(upbeat music)

- [Tim Voiceover] More than
anything that Christmas,

I wanted a dog of my own.



(upbeat music)

Sometimes I used
to play in the park

with a dog named Ralph.

But he wasn't my dog.

Ralph belonged to Owen Slade.

- Where is that rotten mutt?

- [Tim Voiceover] Slade
was a local farmer

with a bad attitude
and a temper to match.

(whistling)

- Come on!

(gentle music)

(dog barking)

(gentle music)

(dog panting)

(gentle music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I always
thought it was so unfair

that a man like Owen Slade
could have such a great dog

and not even care about it.

But, life wasn't fair.

I grew up in a small
rural farming community.

I suppose nobody would think
it was anything special.

But at 12, it was
my whole world.

Every day, on my way
home after school,

I used to stop at Harkins
Pet Store and look

at the puppies for
sale in the window.

That Christmas, they
had a lot of them.

- Hey, buddy.

- [Tim Voiceover] Growing
up, there were only

two things I really hated.

Being the smallest kid my
age in the eighth grade.

(dramatic music)

And a bully the size of North
Dakota named Keith Carmody.

Carmody was as
wide as he was tall

and had the IQ of a fence post.

But as big as Carmody was,
he had a friend named Olaf

who was even bigger,
roughly the size of Norway,

which is where he was from.

Six foot two, 200 pounds,
and in the eighth grade,

for the second time.

- Look who it is, Oaf.

- [Olaf] Tim.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Olaf pretty much had

a one-syllable vocabulary.

- What were you looking at
Webster, that cute little puppy?

- Leave me along,
Keith, I'm going home.

- Do you know what I
think we oughta do?

Let's run you up a flagpole
and see if anybody salutes.

- [Tim Voiceover] Any
similarity between Olaf

and a human being was
purely coincidental.

- Come on, guys,
quit playing around.

I got better things
to do than this.

I got homework.

Got a test tomorrow.

- Up, high.

- [Tim Voiceover] Like I said,
a one-syllable kinda guy.

And really strong.

(upbeat dramatic music)

Carmody and Olaf had run me
up the flagpole all over town.

Swing sets.

Trees.

Telephone poles.

It didn't matter,
whatever was handy.

- Hi, Tim.

- [Tim Voiceover] But
it was so humiliating.

- Hi.

- What you doing?

- Just hanging.

- [Haley] Are you okay?

- Yeah, I think I'm
starting to scare him.

- He's a bully.

- Yeah, a really big bully.

- You shouldn't let him
push you around like that.

- Yeah, I gotta work out more.

- I think you look fine.

- [Tim Voiceover] Haley
Bennett was the cutest

girl in the eighth grade.

The love of my life,
but she didn't know it.

- Hey, could you get
something for me to stand on?

- [Tim Voiceover] I wished
it wasn't always her

that found me like this.

I worshiped the
ground she walked on,

but never had the courage
to tell her how I felt.

At this rate, I
probably never would.

(gentle music)

- Hey, are you getting a dog?

- No, a kitten. My dad
wouldn't let me have a dog.

- Yeah, you musta been
talking to my dad.

- Yeah.

Well I guess I'll see
you in school tomorrow?

- Yeah, sure.

Um, you wanna maybe walk to
school tomorrow together?

If you aren't doing anything.

- Maybe.

Call me tonight.

- All right.

(triumphant music)

(gentle music)

(birds singing)

- [Tim] Hey, Dad.

- [Henry] Hey, Sport.

- [Tim Voiceover] My life
growing up was pretty normal,

regular home and family.

My mom's name was Mary Webster.

- [Tim] Hi, Mom.

- Hello, Sweetie Pie.

Mm, did you have a good day?

- [Tim] Yeah.

- Get your homework done?

- Yeah, we had to read the
Gift of the Magi in school.

- [Tim Voiceover] She worked
at a local department store

trying to make ends meet.

- It's about people who make
wishes and they go wrong.

- [Tim Voiceover] She was the
greatest mom in the world.

- Have you ever read it?

- That's nice, Honey.

Listen, you need to go get
cleaned up for dinner, okay?

- [Tim Voiceover] I was
at that age where your mom

doesn't really listen to
everything you tell her.

- You know, Mom,
it's by O Henry.

- Oh, Henry, he's in the office.

He's been working
really hard all day

on the deadline for that
greeting card company.

Go, scoot.

I want you cleaned
up for dinner.

Hey.

Don't call your father Henry.

- [Tim Voiceover] My dad,
Henry Webster, was a writer.

- [Henry] Always remember.

- [Tim Voiceover] Not of
novels or short stories

or anything like that.

My dad wrote greeting cards.

Writing those simple lines
took all of his concentration.

- [Mary] Whoa, whoa,
whoa (crashing).

- Will you keep
it down out there?

How am I supposed
to concentrate?

Oh, our hearts are filled
with love and caring

for you and yours
(chuckles), it's perfect.

It's beautiful.

- [Tim Voiceover] Like I said,
it was a pretty normal house

to grow up in.

- Here you go.

I think that's everything.

So, Honey, how's it going?

- Well I should
make enough on these

to have some sort of Christmas.

I think.

- We're not getting
a Christmas bonus.

- No bonus?

None, nothing?

- All of the above.

- Old Man Costello
keeping it all to himself?

- Look, I was lucky
not to get laid off.

He pink-slipped two
people in shipping

and receiving yesterday.

Luckily nobody
from sales so far.

- So far.

- I know what I want for
Christmas, and it's real cheap.

- Tim.

Don't start again.

- Not that dog thing again.

How many times do I have to
tell you we're not getting a dog

before you figure it out?

Another mouth to
feed, they need shots,

constant attention, every
morning, every night.

Your mother doesn't have
time to take care of a dog.

- I'll pay for it myself.

I'll get a paper
route or something.

And that'll pay for his food.

- They chew on stuff,
they ruin the carpet,

you gonna replace that stuff?

And who's gonna pay for
this dog in the first place?

- We'll get one at the
pound. They're free.

- Oh no they're not.

Nothing is free, young man.

We'll be lucky if we have
enough money to pay the bills.

Hey, I'm all for you
getting a paper route.

I had one when I was your
age, and you can be sure

I didn't waste the
money on a dog.

- But, Dad.

- And what about that
hamster that you had to have?

Remember him?

I don't remember whether
he died of neglect

or committed suicide.

- Hamster didn't die, Henry.

The hamster ran away. It
was the fish who died.

- Oh, the fish, yes.

The wonderful goldfish.

The wonderful goldfish
who had to live

in the wonderfully
expensive aquarium

and eat the wonderfully
expensive sea kelp stuff.

You had him three weeks,

then he went belly up, bloop.

- They were boring. All
they did was swim around.

- That's what fish
do. They swim.

- I can't help it
that they died.

- Well neither could they
because you never fed them.

I don't want a dead
dog on my conscience.

Besides, you can't flush a dog.

It's called being responsible,
Tim, and you aren't.

You should try being
an animal sometime.

See things a whole
lot differently.

- But, Dad, you know I want--

- End of discussion, young man.

Thank you very much,
Sweetheart, it was very good,

but I have to go
finish this card.

(sighing)

Tim, I'm sorry, but no
dog and that's final.

You understand?

- Yeah.

- What are you working on?

- Oh, it's this blasted
all-occasion line.

I can't wait to get out of it.

Oh, now Mother's Day ...
that's where the money is.

- Oh, Tim.

Your dad's right about the
responsibility part, you know.

(gentle music)

- [Tim Voiceover] That was
the story of my existence.

My parents, the
bullies, life in general

had hung me out to dry.

The girl I wanted to impress
thought I was a doofus

and generally I figured
I wasn't gonna get

anything I wanted for Christmas.

That day on the
tracks, I heard a voice

that was going to
change my life.

- It is coming again,
my unbelieving friends.

In this hemisphere.

After 1,000 years, tonight
marks the last few days

that this heavenly
body will be visible.

As foretold by the ancients.

Galileo himself rediscovered
it in the constellation Rigel

during the 12th century.

Mathematically, of course.

Since the star appears only once

every thousand years,
there was no way to see it.

When it does appear, it appears
during the winter solstice,

making it very difficult
to prognosticate.

- I got prognocated
by a doctor once.

Hated it.

(group laughing)

But, I ain't never seen
nothing like that ever.

- Of course you haven't.

Huh, my undereducated
flotsam and jetsam.

- You mean like,
the Christmas Star?

- Absolutely correct, young man.

(train horn blaring)

And who might you be?

- Tim Webster.

- Well welcome, Tim Webster.

- You got any food, kid?

- Allow me to
introduce Clotfelter,

one of my traveling associates.

- Clotfelter? Is that your name?

- Yeah, it's my name.
What'd you think it was?

- Well nothing.

I mean,

well, I thought
it was your name.

- Enough of the
introductions now.

Tonight, I'm going
to demonstrate

one of the marvels
of the heavens.

Right there.

Due east.

You'll see for yourselves.

Yeah, your other east.

In the constellation of Rigel
is where you will find it,

the beautiful Christmas Star.

Oh, what a magnificent
constellation it is too.

Not one of your pedestrian
little blue stocks, mind you.

With all the majesty of
a millennial supernova.

Truly a heavenly body.

Ah, and a magical one.

- How do you mean magical?

- Oh, are you interested in
the mysteries of the heavens?

- Well sort of, I guess.

- Good.

Then you know about
the star then?

- Not really.

I heard that the Star of
Bethlehem was really a comet.

- Ah, very astute,
you do know a lot.

Wasn't a comet, though.

It was a Class M star.

Oh, allow me to
introduce myself.

I'm Thadeus A. Widstone,
late of Cambridge University

and points north,
a world traveler,

raconteur, bon vivant.

Currently traveling in
the company of these

ladies and gentlemen
of the road.

All in eager pursuit
of life's meaning.

And it pleases them
to call me Professor.

How about you, Tim?

What is that you want from life?

- Me?

I just want a dog for Christmas.

- No problem, Sonny.

We're fixing to have
one for supper (laughs).

(group laughing)

- Pay him no heed, Tim.

Weak minds find it necessary
to make strong statements

from time to time.

But you know, a dog is
a lot of responsibility.

You're not leaving?

- Well, uh.

I have homework.

- Don't you want to
see the legendary star?

- I can't really, I have to go.

- I tell you what.

Why not come back
after you're finished?

I just might have
an idea for you

on getting that dog you want.

- Well, maybe after supper.

- Yes, after supper.

It's a special night.

Magical really.

Tim?

If you have any tasty morsels
left over after your repast,

why not bring them back here?

- What?

- Food, my friend.

For me and my friends.

Caring for your
neighbors and all that.

What do you say?

- Mm, okay, if I can.

- Ah, mm-hmm.

(gentle music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I remember
thinking how much I wished

that what the professor
had said about the magic

and the Christmas Star was true.

- [Henry] Go, go, go, go.

- Mom, have you ever heard
of the Christmas Star?

- Uh, movies or television.

- No, a real star, in the sky.

It's supposed to be magical.

- Hm, well the only
magic I need right now

is right here in
this bank balance.

- It's coming again.

- What is, Honey, the star?

- Yeah, the Christmas Star.

Passes by the Earth
every thousand years.

The same one that
was over Bethlehem.

It's supposed to happen tonight.

It's supposed to be magical.

- That's nice.

Everybody could use a little
magic this time of year.

(keys striking)

- You know, Mom?

The puppy is still there
at the window in Harkins.

- Oh, I get it.

That's what this
is all about, huh?

Oh, Sweetie, you know
the answer to that.

- Come on, Mom, he's real
little. He won't eat much.

- Now.

In six months, he's gonna be
Godzilla with an appetite.

- Yeah, but what
about Christmas?

- Oh, Honey, there's gonna
be other Christmases.

- I don't want
other Christmases.

I want this Christmas!

How come you guys
are doing this to me?

- Hey, freeze.

(paper rattling)

(Henry groaning)

First of all, you do not
ever raise your voice to me

like that, young man,
do you understand?

And second,

you have been given
everything you ever wanted.

Everything.

And the problem is, you
don't take care of anything,

especially living things.

You need to learn to
think about others.

You have an awful lot
to be thankful for, Tim.

After dinner, you're
going straight to bed.

Lights out.

Go on, go to your room.

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] That night
in my room, I couldn't stop

thinking about what
the professor had said.

- Starlight, star bright.

- [Tim Voiceover] It was
like, if I really believed

hard enough, it would be true.

(soft dramatic music)

I decided I had to find out.

(soft music)

Even it meant taking a chance

on being grounded by
breaking my curfew.

(soft music)

- Very soon.

Very soon now.

- Don't look no different
than it ever looks, Professor.

- Oh, that's because you're
looking at the heavens

with an unbelieving eye.

Wait, you'll see.

Oh, here comes our young friend,

and bearing royal
rituals, I believe.

Oh, excellent.

Savory stew.

Well done, lad, well done.

- So, are you a real professor?

- Well, if it pleases
them to refer to me as one

who imparts knowledge,
who am I to argue?

It's not what you know
that's really important.

It's what you believe.

- I believe you.

- Ah, well there, you see?

It's what's in your
heart that counts.

And the heart of a young
boy is full of magic.

- So what happens when
you see this star?

- You don't know?

- You gets a wish.

Ain't that right, Professor?

- Quite right.

- A wish, huh?

- A wish, and it's
a very special wish.

Only comes along once
in a thousand years.

When the glow of that heavenly
body begins to expand,

you must make your wish.

It only appears a few
consecutive nights,

and then, pfft, it's gone
for a thousand years.

But you must have a pure heart
for your wish to come true.

Which probably means
there won't be a lot

of wishes granted
from this group.

- So you just ... wish?

- Just wish.

Of course, you know, there is
a caveat to making your wish.

- A what?

- A caveat, a condition.

That old saying
is quite correct.

Be careful what you wish for,

because that is exactly
what you'll get.

Exactly.

The advent of this
star in this millennium

will end Christmas
Eve, midnight.

(soft music)

Oh, and one other thing.

You only get one wish,
and you can't change it.

- Ever?

- Ever.

Hm.

Ah, I think it's about time now.

Come on.

(soft music)

Watch right there
on the horizon.

Go ahead, Tim, quickly,
make your wish.

- What if it doesn't come true?

- But what if it does?

Go on.

- Okay.

(soft music)

I wanna ... bee!

- Oh, actually it
was a yellow jacket.

Odd for this time of year.

Go on, go on.

- A dog.

(soft music)

I wanna dog.

Professor.

Nothing happened.

- Are you all right, Tim?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

Little tired, but, yeah.

I better be going.

- Ah, boy's right.

Best of luck.

- Yes, thanks.

- Please thank your mother
for that excellent stew, Tim.

- Yeah, sure.

(soft music)

- Yeah, right.

Dreams, wishes ...
they don't come true.

(mysterious music)

- [Tim Voiceover] What was that?

My mom's stew?

I told myself, don't panic.

Don't panic.

- Whoa.

- [Tim Voiceover] Ow.

Oh, I wasn't okay. I
was sick, really sick.

(Tim moaning)

(mysterious music)

- You all right, boy?

Don't look so good.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Who was this walrus

in the sheriff's uniform?

Where was I?

(upbeat music)

What time was it?

I had to get home.

What was I doing
on the playground?

(upbeat music)

Ugh, Mom was gonna kill me.

And then Dad would have to
write her a sympathy card.

Then I noticed I was
going really fast.

And low.

(upbeat music)

Then something caught my eye.

(soft dramatic music)

Oh no, oh no.

I was a dog.

It wasn't a dream. I was a dog.

I had dog legs,
dog ears, dog tail.

Well, at least I was a boy dog.

Oh, what was I
saying? I was a dog.

What was I gonna do?

I tried to remember what
happened the night before.

I realized it must
have been my wish.

- Be careful what you wish for,

because that is exactly
what you'll get.

- [Tim Voiceover]
I said I wanna dog.

Wait.

- I wanna.

- [Tim Voiceover] Wait,
I said the word bee.

- Bee!

- [Tim Voiceover] Oh no,
I said I wanna be a dog.

Aw, the only kid in the universe

who'd turn himself into a dog.

I had to figure this out.

(upbeat music)

How could things get worse?

Then I saw Carmody and Olaf.

(dramatic music)

- Look at that stupid
mutt over there.

He's wearing a scarf.

- Dog.

- [Tim Voiceover] Great,
just what I needed,

the village idiot and the
Norwegian with his own ZIP code.

- Quarter says I can hit him.

- [Tim Voiceover]
I wasn't worried.

Carmody couldn't hit sand
if he fell off a camel.

(metal dinging)

- Ow.

- [Tim Voiceover] Time to go.

As I ran off, it occurred to
me that Olaf wouldn't ever get

out of the eighth grade if
Carmody kept doing that.

- Sorry.

(light music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I
didn't know what to do,

but I had to do something.

Then I saw her.

The one person who'd always
helped me before, Haley.

- Hey.

- [Tim Voiceover] Haley, hi,
it's me, Tim, your friend?

- Hey, what's your name?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Tim, my name's Tim.

Remember?

(dog barking)

But all I could do was bark.

- Are you lost, boy?

- No, I just turned into a dog.

Coulda happened to anybody.

(dog barking)

- Who do you belong to, boy?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Easy, my parents.

Then it hit me.

Oh no, Mom and Dad.

I had to get home.

- [Haley] What about your scarf?

- Tim, come on, Tim.

Time to get up, rise and shine.

Gonna be late for school, Tim.

Tim?

Tim?

- [Henry] Problem?

- Tim's not in his room.

- Oh, well.

Probably just went to
school before we were up.

- That's not like him.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Now was my chance.

- I bet he's still
upset about last night.

- Hmm.

- We had an argument
about the dog thing again.

- Well, don't worry,
Honey, it'll pass.

- [Tim Voiceover] Aw,
geez, I forgot, no fingers.

- Like all things,

this time of grief
too shall disappear,

like the dark at dawning.

I like that.

Gotta write that
down (chuckles).

- No, you know what,
that's just not like him.

He never goes to school
early, not for anything.

- [Tim Voiceover] That'd work.

- I practically
have to use dynamite

to get him outta
bed in the morning.

- [Tim Voiceover] All clear.

(light music)

- Honey, you worry too much.

You know, he can take care of
himself better than you think.

- I'm his mother,
it's my job to worry.

(dog whining)

(water running)

You know, I think I'm
gonna go over to the school

and see if I can't
straighten this out.

(water running)

Henry?

Henry!

Henry, look, look.

- What, what, what?

Ew, it's freezing in here.

You left the window
open, Sweetie.

- Henry, forget that, look
at this. He's run away.

- No, he hasn't run away.

He said, I left early,
I'll be back soon.

What's the big deal?

You think he was
kidnapped by gypsies

and forced to work
in the carnivals?

- Henry, this is serious.

(water running)

- I know.

How about I go call the school?

(water running)

(upbeat light music)

- [Tim Voiceover]
So, there I was.

A dog, alone, and starved.

I had to find the professor,

but I had to get
something to eat first.

(upbeat light music)

But who was gonna give
a stray dog any food?

I knew I was gonna have
to be sneaky about this.

(upbeat light music)

It's never too early
for good Chinese.

There's my chance.

Just slip in ... and.

(man speaking foreign language)

Oh, whoops.

Mr. Fong wasn't as
friendly as I remember.

(upbeat light music)

Well, if you can't go in the
front, check out the back.

(upbeat light music)

This dog thing was
something else.

I could smell everything.

It was amazing.

Hmm? A little cold, but not bad.

Actually, it was pretty good.

Oh, what was he doing?

I didn't mind him eating with me

as long as he left me some.

(upbeat light music)

Whoa, hey, pal, whatever
happened to shaking hands?

I could see this
dog thing was gonna

take some getting used to.

- [Man] Get outta
here, you mutts.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Time to beat feet.

I realized that I
couldn't hang around town

because I'd end
up a dog forever.

(upbeat light music)

My only hope was to find
the professor again.

See if he could change me back.

(soft music)

But when I got
there, he was gone.

(soft music)

Oh boy, it was that
toothless Poindexter

from the night
before, Clotfelter.

- Hey, boy.

What you doing here?

- [Tim Voiceover] I wasn't
selling Girl Scout cookies.

Where's the professor?

- Good doggy.

Come here, boy, come here.

Hello, puppy.

What you doing here?

You look like you been deserted.

You hungry, boy?

- [Tim Voiceover] Food?
Okay, what do you got?

- What do you say, partner?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Little sausages, huh?

Mm.

Mm.

Say, these are pretty good.

- You like those, do you, huh?

Mm.

(burping)

Me too.

Hey, you wanna be
my dog, boy, hm?

- [Tim Voiceover] No, I just
wanna find the professor.

How could I make this
wingnut understand?

(light music)

Okay, Einstein, watch.

I'm gonna draw you a picture.

First, a circle, and
these are the eyes.

And a bow tie.

(light music)

- [Clotfelter] Hey,
how did you do that?

- [Tim Voiceover]
How do you think?

You just watched me.

If you were any slower,
you'd be in reverse.

- That looks like the professor.

You're one smart mutt.

I could make a fortune with you.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Not a good idea.

Just tell me where
the professor is.

- Good doggy.

You wanna stay here
with me, don't you?

- [Tim Voiceover] No way.

- Geez, wish the
professor was here.

He'd know what to do.

Hitches up to West Valley,
just when you need him.

- [Tim Voiceover] West Valley?
Sure, I knew where that was.

All I needed is a
way to get there.

Maybe I could hitch
a ride or something.

- Come here, boy. Come on, boy.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Time to get going.

- [Clotfelter] Rotten mutt.

- [Tim Voiceover]
So long, fuzz brain.

(light music)

I was cold, I was
wet, I was a dog.

I wasn't used to
all this walking.

Then, I heard him.

(dog barking)

It was Ralph, my old buddy.

Gee, it was great to see him.

So this was Slade's farm?

I figured I'd check it out.

(light music)

(chickens clucking)

(cow mooing)

What was in here?

(chickens clucking)

(chickens clucking)

Geez, I had no idea chickens
were so nervous around dogs.

(dog barking)

Uh-oh, Slade.

- Finally got you, you
chicken-stealing son of a-

(gun firing)

- [Tim Voiceover] He's crazy.

- You ain't getting
away this time.

(gun firing)

(Owen growling)

(gun firing)

- [Tim Voiceover]
Fortunately, I was too far

out of range for him.

There's some bad
people in this world,

but for sheer meanness,

you'd have to put Owen Slade's
name at the top of the list.

I could see this wasn't
going to be easy.

What I needed was a ride.

(soft music)

- I understand.

We appreciate
everything you're doing.

Thanks.

They said it's gotta be 24 hours

before they can
consider him missing.

(sniffing)

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I wish
I could figure out a way

to get someone to stop.

You never miss your thumbs
until you haven't got any.

Then, I saw it.

I wonder which
way he was headed.

Hard to say.

- I'm first.

- I'm second.

- Are we there yet?

- Does this look like the
West Valley Ice Arena?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Bingo, I was in luck.

This guy was a lifesaver.

- Don't take too much time in
the bathroom. We gotta hurry.

- Quit pushing.
- I wasn't.

- [Tim Voiceover]
It was now or never.

(light music)

All I had to do was stay
outta sight for a while.

- That bathroom was disgusting.

(giggling)

- [Harold] Hold it.

- [Girls] Oh.

- Gotta count heads.

- Mr. Gonzales, we
have more than heads.

- Don't got time
for more than heads.

I'll assume the bodies
are attached. Get on.

One, two,

three, four.

Five, six.

Hold it.

We're missing the smallest
member of our group, campers.

Where is she?

(laughing)

You've been following
me again, haven't you?

Get aboard, Sailor.

(giggling)

(traffic passing)

All right, sit down,
hold on and buckle up.

Now if we're gonna make
it to the ice arena

on time, we gotta fly.

And it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] Nobody
knew I was in there but her,

and she didn't say a word.

What a pal.

(soft music)

- I can't believe
we're finally here.

- Hold it.

Come on, line up.

- Hurry.
- Hurry up.

- This way, in line.

In line, one, two,
three, four, five, six.

(girls murmuring)

Six is not the right number.

Where's Emily?

All right, everybody, you're
glued to the pavement.

(girls groaning)

Understand?

Don't move an inch.

- [Girl] We're always
glued to the pavement.

(light music)

- Come on, Princess,
get off the throne.

Everybody's waiting for you.

- [Tim Voiceover] Geez, couldn't
this guy give me a break?

- Emily?

If you don't answer,
I'm coming in.

- [Tim Voiceover]
What do you have to do

to get some privacy around here?

(mysterious music)

- I heard that.

- [Tim Voiceover] Oh boy,
trapped in the bathroom

by this coconut.

- Emily?

(giggling)

Weren't you, just?

Come on.

Let's go.

- [Tim Voiceover] Holy
Hawkeye, that was close.

- [Girl] Finally, I'll
race you to the door.

- [Girl] You run too fast.

- [Tim Voiceover] Woo,
musta been those sausages.

(light music)

Now I had to find a way to
let my folks know I was okay.

I guess I'd have to
leave another note.

I was getting this mouth
writing down to a science.

(light music)

Hoped they could read it with
slobber all over the words.

(light music)

At this rate, it was
looking more and more like

I wasn't gonna find
the professor in time.

But I had to try.

(soft music)

- All right, you
know the routine.

- [Girl] That was fun.

- Buckle up.

Keep your arms and legs
in the ride at all times.

Who wrote the note?

Looks like your handwriting,
Emily, except you can't write.

Who's Tim?

Forget it.

(engine starting)

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I had
been walking all day.

I was tired and a
long way from home.

I needed to find
someplace warm to sleep.

And then I saw a little
house near the mountains.

It was the only house for miles,

so it wasn't like I
had a lotta choices.

(soft music)

(cat meowing)

(soft music)

(cat meowing)

I heard something
as I got closer.

Gee, a kitten.

Poor little guy, looked
like he didn't have

a friend in the world.

I was gonna try and help him,

but there wasn't
anything I could do.

(cat meowing)

(soft music)

I decided I'd let
whoever lived there

know I was in the neighborhood.

(dog barking)

When she opened the door,

I put on my best hungry face.

- Shoot.

You smell (chuckles).

- [Tim Voiceover]
Yeah well, stepped in

a few things on the way.

- Who are you?

- [Tim Voiceover] You'd never
believe me if I told you.

- Uncle John (laughs).

Is that you?

- [Tim Voiceover] Do
I look like a John?

Okay, I'll play along.

(dog barking)

(laughing)

- You always did smell funny.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Nobody's perfect.

Wonder if she had any food.

- I figured it was you.

You hungry?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Are you kidding?

(dog barking)

I'd eat dirt if she
put gravy on it.

(dog barking)

- Well, come on in.

- [Tim Voiceover] She
was a mind reader.

- It's getting cold out here.

Don't want you
catching your death.

Again.

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] Musta been
lonely there by herself.

I felt sorry for her.

(soft music)

- It's your favorite (chuckles).

Dig in.

Ah.

- [Tim Voiceover] Boy,
this stuff was pretty good.

(soft music)

- It's been a while since
Aunt Martha ran off.

She's a black cat now.

- [Tim Voiceover] Really?

- But you probably
knew that already, huh?

(chuckling)

- [Tim Voiceover]
Ha, if you say so.

- Oh, since that UFO landed,

I've been so busy
with family arrivals.

- [Tim Voiceover] I was
in the Twilight Zone.

- Harriet showed up last month.

She's a goat (laughs).

Well, actually, she doesn't
look all that different.

- [Tim Voiceover] No,
she really doesn't.

(sighing)

- You stay here
with me, Uncle John.

Now I insist.

We could both use the company.

- [Tim Voiceover] I
wish I could tell her

I was only staying
for the night.

- Where have you been?

You don't smell too good.

- [Tim Voiceover] Sorry, they
don't make Old Spice for dogs.

- When I come back, I wanna
be a cat like Grandma.

Cats are my favorite.

No offense.

Wish I could talk dog.

We could have a
real conversation.

It's been a while
since anybody showed up

who could actually speak.

You understand every
word, don't you?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Actually, I do.

I just can't say them anymore.

(dog barking)

- I knew it (laughs).

Would you like to
read the newspaper?

I got that over here, come on.

Come on.

(soft music)

(bird whistling)

(soft music)

Oh.

Probably not.

Why would you be interested
in kidnappings and such?

(sighing)

- [Tim Voiceover] I wasn't.

What I was was dog tired.

- Just like you. Never
could stay awake past nine.

(laughing)

- [Tim Voiceover]
She had that right.

I had walked too far and
been through too much.

All I wanted to do was sleep.

She mighta been a little
crazy, but she had a heart

as big as Christmas itself.

And I loved her for it.

♪ Oh my darling, oh my darling ♪

♪ Oh my darling, Uncle John ♪

- You stay here.

I'm gonna go do some
shopping for us.

- [Tim Voiceover] What?
Wait, what about me?

Don't lock ... the door.

♪ Oh my darling, oh my darling ♪

Eh, I'm locked in.
What am I gonna do?

♪ Oh my darling, Uncle John ♪

Aw, man, she's gone.

Wait, she left the
bedroom window open.

Alley oop.

And I'm a free dog again, yes.

But I felt like such a rat.

She needed a friend, and
I was leaving her alone.

Then, I remembered, perfect.

It was time for one of
Annabelle's cousins to visit.

Come out, little guy.

You're coming with me.

I got a new home for you.

By the way, tell her you're
Cousin Cliff from Albuquerque.

Don't leave any doodles
on the carpet, okay?

And tell her you
believe in UFOs.

She likes that.

Remember, you're Cousin
Cliff from Albuquerque.

I gotta go.

Be good to her, Squirt.

I realized that I had no
idea where the professor was.

I couldn't find him
in a million years.

I was a dog.

A dog who just
wanted to go home.

And the quickest way home
was over the mountains.

(soft music)

♪ So it's crumbled around you ♪

♪ So it's taken its toll ♪

♪ So it's broken
your heart rate ♪

♪ So once young but now old ♪

♪ Still your life ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ So this is your life ♪

♪ But what's to become? ♪

♪ And it's such a
long long way to go ♪

♪ Such a long long way to go ♪

♪ From that place
I call my own ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ Such a long long way ♪

Boy, my nose had never
worked like this before.

I could smell
everything. It was great.

Like a book without
all the reading.

(light music)

Hm, what was that smell?

Oh, geez Louise, a skunk.

A really fat skunk.

(light music)

Check this out.

Whoa, don't point
that thing at me.

When in doubt, don't,
that's my motto.

Now I really smelled bad.

Just my like, charged
by a mad, pudgy skunk.

Time to move on.

(light music)

I musta walked for
miles when I first

noticed something was different.

It wasn't like anything
I'd ever smelled before.

Then I saw them
... timber wolves.

They looked kinda hungry.

(light music)

Then they were checking me out

like I was something
off the breakfast menu.

Maybe they were friendly.

(wolf growling)

And maybe they weren't.

That's it, I'm history.

(upbeat music)

(wolves panting)

(upbeat music)

(wolf howling)

(upbeat music)

These guys weren't
giving up, ugh.

(wolves growling)

(upbeat music)

Oh, I was getting tired.

But if I stopped I'd end
up as so much wolf sushi.

Better get outta here, tubby.

(upbeat music)

I had to find someplace to
hide. I couldn't keep this up.

I knew I had to
get up above them,

where they wouldn't see me.

Yeah, this'll work.

I'm just hanging out
here on this ledge.

Hm, I don't see them.

Maybe I lost them.

Yeah, maybe I did.

Catch my breath a minute.

Okay, time to get outta here.

(dog panting)

(light music)

(gentle music)

(birds calling)

(gentle music)

(wolf howling)

(gentle music)

I'd left them like
a dirty shirt.

I was starting to
catch my breath

when I walked right into him.

He'd gotten ahead of me somehow.

And boy was he mad.

(wolf growling)

Dog gone it.

He was gonna eat my lunch.

And then, all of a sudden,
out of nowhere, it was Ralph.

(dog barking)

I couldn't believe it.

He was all over that
wolf like a cheap suit.

(dog barking)

He was great.

Ha, what a dog.

Wow, Ralphie, you're my hero.

(upbeat music)

You and me, pal,
we'll stick together.

I don't know how he got there,

but I was never so glad to
see another dog in my life.

(upbeat music)

Me and Ralph, heading through
the mountains, going home.

For the first time,

I felt like I was
going to make it back.

(dogs barking)

(clock bell ringing)

(gentle music)

- Ah.

(whistling)

Where's that dog?

He thinks he's had
a beating before.

(gentle music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I knew
something was wrong.

The world's biggest bear.

(dog barking)

And I couldn't move.

I just barked at Ralph.

(dog barking)

But Ralph was brave,
braver than me.

He attacked the bear.
I couldn't believe it.

(dog barking)

(bear growling)

(dog barking)

Then it hit me. He was
fighting the bear to save me.

No! I had to stand up for once.

Suddenly, I felt different.

I wasn't afraid.

(bear growling)

For the first time in my
life, I wasn't afraid.

I'm coming, Ralphie, hang on!

(bear growling)

(dog whining)

The bear had hurt him bad.

I didn't care anymore.

I wasn't gonna let
him kill Ralph.

That bear wanted trouble,
I was gonna give it to him.

(dog barking)

(bear growling)

(dog barking)

(bear growling)

Oh, Ralph was hurt bad.

I could tell.

I stood over him, between
my friend and that grizzly.

Hey, it worked. He had enough.

He was leaving.

And don't come
back, you furball.

(dog whining)

Oh no.

Ralph was just lying
there, bleeding.

He wasn't breathing.

He had sacrificed himself.

For me.

(dog whining)

It was the worst
moment of my life.

(dog yelping)

(dog yelping)

(soft music)

I stayed with him until
it was almost dark.

I'd lost the best
friend I ever had.

(dog yelping)

I finally left him there

because there wasn't
anything I could do.

(gentle music)

That night, I spent the most
miserable night of my life.

If I could, I would have cried.

But, dogs can't cry.

(gentle music)

The next day, I
traveled for hours

in the snow, heading
through the mountains.

I kept thinking about
what had happened,

about the sacrifice that
Ralph had made for me.

That one event had
changed the way

I thought about everything.

I didn't care as much about
what I wanted anymore.

Only those who were
important to me.

I just wanted to get home.

(gentle music)

(dog panting)

Bear Hollow Spring Campground.

Maybe somebody was
there. Yeah, right.

December, perfect time
for people to have

a picnic, in the snow.

I had lost Ralph, and
now I was losing my mind.

- Dad, look, a dog.

- [Tim Voiceover] When I saw
them, I nearly fell over.

It was Haley, the
woman of my dreams.

- I think I know this dog.

This is his scarf.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Haley, it's me, Tim.

- Ew, what is that smell?

- [Tim Voiceover]
It's not my fault.

A fat skunk did this to me.

- Dad, please, we can't
just leave him here.

We have to take him
with us, please.

We can't leave him right here.

- [Tim Voiceover] I
could have kissed her.

- Okay.

- Come on, boy, come on.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Terrific, I was going home?

(upbeat music)

No more walking in the snow.

No more wolves or bears.

I was going home, to my house
and the people who loved me.

After all that had happened,
it was like a dream.

(gentle music)

(dog barking)

At least I was back in town.

Good old, Haley.

- You remind me of somebody.

I just don't know who.

- [Tim Voiceover] And
at the rate I was going,

she probably never would.

- Come on. Come on.

You can stay here tonight, boy.

I'll get you something to eat.

- [Tim Voiceover] Good, I'm
hungry. What do you got?

The next morning, I
got Haley to follow me

and look for the professor.

Of course, she didn't
know what I was doing,

but she was a good
sport and came anyway.

The only place I
could think to go

was back to where I
had first met him.

Somehow, I figured,
if he was around,

that's where he'd be.

(gentle music)

(humming)

(dog barking)

Great, he was there.

- What are you looking for?

- [Tim Voiceover] I
couldn't believe it.

I thought I'd never
see him again.

- You are a friendly
one, aren't you, eh?

- [Tim Voiceover] It's me,
Professor, the kid who brought

you food and listened to your
story and turned into a dog.

- Oh, your dog?

- No, I thought
he might be yours.

- What?

- [Tim Voiceover] Come on,
Professor. It's me, Tim.

Don't you know me?

- He's not your
ordinary dog, is he?

- No, it's almost like he
can understand you sometimes.

- Perhaps he does.

- What?

- Perhaps he does.

Oh, I'm Thadeus Widstone.

Everyone calls me Professor.

- I'm Haley Bennett. Nice
to meet you, Professor?

- Exactly, huh?

(dog barking)

What is it you want, eh?

What are you trying to tell us?

- [Tim Voiceover] The
scarf, I was wearing it.

- What?

Where did you get this?

- Oh, it's his.

He had it around his neck.

Just like a friend of
mine's, but he was kidnapped.

- Kidnapped?

- Well that's what
everybody thinks,

but he disappeared anyways.

- Ah.

Really?

- [Tim Voiceover] Yeah,
you gotta remember.

- You know, he
does look familiar.

Uh, what was your friend's name?

- [Haley] Tim.

- Is that you, Tim?

- [Tim Voiceover] Yeah, it's me.

(dog barking)

- This is too weird.

- You were the boy
that wished for a dog.

(dog barking)

- [Tim Voiceover]
Now you got it.

- Oh, good heavens.

It worked.

Tim? You weren't kidnapped.

- Professor, that's
a dog, not Tim.

- Do you know what this means?

- That you need your medication?

- Right.

No.

Something more profound.

The Christmas Star
legend is true.

I suppose you want to know
if you can be changed back.

- [Tim Voiceover] Bingo.

Come on, tell me,
I'll do anything.

- I'm afraid not.

Remember what I told you?

According to the legend, you
can't change your wish, ever.

- [Tim Voiceover] Ever?

Oh man, I'm gonna
be eating dog food

for the rest of my life.

- Never did think that was
going to come true anyway.

Oh, well.

Wait.

You know there jsut
may be something.

(dog barking)

- Been looking for
you, Professor.

You was the last one anybody
seen with that missing boy.

You're under arrest.

(soft music)

You okay?

- Yeah, is he a criminal?

- Not exactly, just
wanted for questioning.

- Look, I don't know
what's going on,

but the dog has
something to do with it.

- I don't see how.

Do you always talk
to dogs, Professor?

- I assure you, sir,
that I had nothing

to do with any kidnapping.

The truth is, the
boy wasn't kidnapped.

He simply changed into that dog.

- You gotta stop drinking
the homemade stuff,

you know what I mean, Professor?

Let's go.

(light music)

- Don't worry, I'll
take care of you.

- [Tim Voiceover] Yeah,
but I don't wanna be a dog

when you do it.

(light music)

- Look, I'm not likely to
overpower the likes of you.

Couldn't we dispense
with these handcuffs?

At least for the ride,
they're so uncomfortable.

- All right.

- That's a good fellow.

(light music)

- Watch your head.

- Where are you going?

- Is this absolutely necessary?

I guess it is.

- Hey.

- [Tim Voiceover] I need
to talk to the professor,

without you.

First the window.

And lock the doors.

(dog barking)

Professor.

- That is you, isn't it, Tim?

- [Tim Voiceover] In the fur.

- All right, there may be a way.

We'll get someone to do the
same thing that you did.

Make a wish on the star.

Until we get out of
this terrible situation,

there's not much that
I can do for you.

- [Tim Voiceover] Okay, I
could take care of that.

I just need to slow
down the deputy.

That's right, put your head in.

- Stupid dog.

Hey, hey, hey.

Let me outta here.

(light music)

- Good job, lad.

We better split.

- [Tim Voiceover] Split up?

I can't do that.
I'm a felon now.

- Don't look at me like that.

I'll be back, I promise.

Get out of this blasted weather.

- Let me out, you stupid dog!

- Poor guy was wriggling
like a bug on a pin.

I couldn't leave him like that.

All right.

See you around, flatfoot.

- You dumb dog, come back here.

(shouting)

- [Tim Voiceover] I ran all
over town trying to lose him.

He was slow but persistent.

When I did lose him, I
ended up at the park.

It was the last
day, Christmas Eve.

I was beginning
to accept the fact

that I was going to
be a dog from now on.

And nothing in this world was
ever going to change that.

Then it happened.

I saw him.

There he was, the
bane of my existence.

Carmody was bullying
some other kid.

(dog barking)

Something inside
me finally snapped.

(upbeat music)

(Carmody panicking)

(upbeat music)

(dog growling)

- [Olaf] Dog.

- [Tim Voiceover] Ha
ha, I chewed the seat

out of his pants for
about 20 minutes.

He folded like a deck of cards
and blubbered like a baby.

All I had to do was
stand up to him (laughs).

Revenge was sweet.

I decided to go home.

Oh man, of all
the roads to pick.

- You dadgum dog.

(engine starting)

(upbeat music)

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I
figured that maybe I could

hide in that truck.

Yeah, I'll just lay down in
there, and he'll never see me.

Oh no, Slade.

Wrong truck, time for Plan B.

- You cost me plenty,
you no good son of a-

- Don't shoot, Owen.

- It ain't you I'm pointing
at, Harvey. It's him.

- It's pointing at me.

- Well then get out the way!

- Drop the shotgun, Owen.

Drop the gun!

- You're letting him get away.

- Drop it!

(groaning)

(light music)

- [Tim Voiceover]
What do you know?

That worked out pretty good.

- [Harvey] You can't
go waving your gun

at people, Owen, you imbecile.

- [Owen] I told you I wasn't
pointing at you, Harv.

- There's not quite
enough climb in your bell,

is there, you idiot?

- [Tim Voiceover] Ha ha,
those two corn flakes

were made for each other.

(phone ringing)

- [Mary] Hello.

- [Harold] Is this Mary?

- [Mary] Yes.

- [Harold] This probably won't
make a lotta sense to you,

but I have a note to
call you about Tim.

- Tim? Where is he?

Is he all right?

- [Harold] Well, no, I mean,
I don't know where he is.

I just have this note
someone left for me

to tell you he's okay.

I shoulda called yesterday,
but I thought it was,

you know, a prank.

- Who is this?

You have seen him, haven't you?

- [Harold] No, sorry,
I found the note

when we got to West Valley,

and then I saw the
picture in the paper.

- West Valley, that's
over 100 miles from here.

- [Harold] Like I told the
sheriff, I never really saw him.

- No, oh no no no, wait,
please please, don't hang up.

Hello.

(line going dead)

Hello, hello?

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I
had no idea what to do.

Staring at the
downtown Christmas
decorations, I realized

that there was no place
for me to go anymore.

I just wandered
around for a while

and ended up back at the park.

As it turned out, that
wasn't such a good idea.

(light music)

I didn't see Deputy Dimwit

until I was almost
right next to him.

Oh boy, just my luck.

I tried to be inconspicuous.

You know, kinda sneak past him

while he was stuffing about
300 potato chips in his mouth.

And then take off.

(upbeat music)

- You!

- [Tim Voiceover] Too late,
he was after me again.

(upbeat music)

(groaning)

(light music)

- [Girl] What a doofus.

- [Girl] I know, I
can't believe it.

(upbeat music)

- [Tim Voiceover] I'd run
him around until he turned

into butter, that should do it.

(upbeat music)

It was like being in
a pinball machine.

I decided to take the back
alleys and sidewalks home.

You know, keep outta sight.

That way, if he was
still looking for me,

I figured he wouldn't
ever find me.

I was wrong.

(dog whimpering)

Oh, man, terrific.

- Now I got you, you
mangy mutt (chuckles).

(dog barking)

There you go.

(light music)

County pound'll be
here this afternoon.

- [Tim Voiceover] The
guy obviously didn't know

he was dealing with the
world's smartest dog.

(light music)

(radio chattering)

It didn't look too tough.

Just one tiny latch
on this cheap cage.

Little push with the hold paw.

And I was a free dog again.

How this guy ever got hired

by the sheriff's
department was beyond me.

He drove all over town
with an empty cage

and never even knew it.

(soft music)

- Got ya (laughs).

- Merciful heavens, not now.

- I knew if I looked
around long enough

I'd find you, and here you are.

- You don't understand.

There isn't time.

- Oh, there's plenty of time,

all the time you
want, in your cell.

- I'm warning you.

I could make a wish,
and you'd be very sorry.

- I'm very sorry already.

Sorry I didn't throw
you in the hoosegow

when I first had the chance.

- It's true, you know.

I can say certain words
at just the right time,

and you wouldn't
ever be the same.

- Oh yeah?

- Mm.

- Well go ahead.

(soft music)

(giggles)

- [Tim Voiceover]
I always ended up

in the same place, it seemed.

I couldn't go home yet,

because the deputy was
still out looking for me.

I hid under a boxcar
until it was dark.

I had never been so lonely.

It began to snow again,

and I thought about
everything that had happened.

- All you ever think
about is what you want.

- You should try being
an animal sometime.

- This is too weird.

- Good doggy.

- Who are you?

(wolf growling)

- Now I got you, you mangy mutt.

- What is that you
want from life?

- [Tim Voiceover] I just
wanted to be Tim again.

(traffic passing)

("Silent Night"
instrumental music)

When I got home,
Haley was there.

- I thought you might be here.

- [Tim Voiceover]
What a friend she was.

I wished I could tell her.

- What the professor
said is so weird.

Things like that
don't really happen.

I just wanted to give
this back to you.

- [Tim Voiceover] Gee, thanks.

At least my neck'd be warm.

- Haley.

- Hi, Mr. Webster.

- What are you doing out here?

It's freezing. Come on inside.

- [Tim Voiceover]
I'm coming too.

- Is there any news about Tim?

- Well the sheriff's station
called a little while ago.

They said they had some
lead with a transient.

It's probably nothing.

- Well, I better be going.

I'm really sorry about Tim.

- I know you are.
Thanks, Sweetie.

- [Tim Voiceover] Thanks,
Haley, you're the best.

- Oh, don't forget your dog.

- Oh, he's not mine.

- I saw you messing with
the scarf, I thought.

- It's his.

- [Tim Voiceover]
It's mine, Dad.

- Bye.

- Bye.

- [Tim Voiceover]
Hi, Mom, it's me.

- What's this dog doing here?

- He just kinda wandered in.

- This is Tim's scarf.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, where'd you get
this? This is Tim's scarf.

- Haley.

Haley?

Could we talk to
you for a minute?

- [Haley] Sure.

- Thanks.

- [Mary] So there's
some connection

between Tim and this dog?

- I think so.

The professor said
that somehow Tim

and the dog were
involved together.

It's pretty crazy, actually.

- [Tim Voiceover] Not
that crazy, actually.

- Well reality hasn't worked,
so maybe crazy's the answer.

- Well this really was crazy.

This dog is so smart.
He's really smart.

- Well, he seems to know us.

But how? I mean, we
don't know any dogs.

Well, not personally.

- Tim would love him.

- Yeah, he would.

- He does seem to know us.

- [Tim Voiceover] I do, Mom.

You just don't know me anymore.

- Well I better be going.

I don't want my parents
to worry about me.

- Good idea. Let me
walk you to the door.

- I know my way.

If I could have a dog,
this would be the one.

- [Tim Voiceover] It was
probably the closest I was ever

going to get to kissing her.

- Take care of them
till Tim comes home.

Night.

- Night, Honey.
- Good night.

(door opening and closing)

- Do you think the dog
could stay with us tonight?

- Yeah, I think he could.

- Do you know where
my baby is, boy?

Do you?

This whole thing was my fault.

- [Henry] No no no,
I'm the one who kept

saying no about the dog.

- He's out there somewhere.

He's all by himself.

What if he's hurt?

- Don't do this
to yourself, Mary.

Maybe we'll hear
something tomorrow.

Things happen on Christmas.

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover] It was
almost midnight, Christmas Eve.

It was over.

(clock ticking)

(soft music)

I was going to have to get
used to slobbering a lot.

As I thought about that,

I wondered where the
professor was tonight.

And then I thought
I heard something.

(soft music)

It was him.

He came, all right!

(soft music)

- Hey there, boy.

Oh, I'm afraid I've
let you down, Tim.

- [Tim Voiceover] No you didn't.
It was my fault, not yours.

- But I brought someone with me.

- We shouldn't be
here, Professor.

- Ah ah, no.

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

It's the only way.

Besides, it is worth
a try, isn't it?

- It sounds so crazy.

- I know it does.

- [Tim Voiceover] What,
what are you talking about?

- But you do care for Tim?

- [Tim Voiceover]
Huh, what's going on?

- Really care?

(soft music)

Well do you?

- Yeah, I've liked him
since the second grade.

He just doesn't know it.

- [Tim Voiceover] Really?
Why didn't you say anything?

(dog barking)

- I just don't know if
I believe in this enough

for it to actually work.

- A wish from the heart, Haley.

Now that's what's needed here.

A wish from the heart.

- What do I say?

- What's in your heart?

What do you really want?

- [Tim Voiceover] Yeah, what?

- But you better do it now.

- I want Tim to be
here, like he was.

A boy.

(triumphant music)

- Yes.

(soft music)

- [Tim Voiceover]
Nothing, still a dog.

It didn't work.

It was a good try, anyway.

I guess I knew deep
down that it wouldn't.

- Oh my.

(soft music)

That's it.

It's past midnight.

- Didn't work.

- I'm afraid not.

- [Tim Voiceover] I better get
used to walking on four legs.

- Oh, Tim, I'm so sorry.

I so hoped this would work.

It was the only thing
that I could think of.

Well I better be going.

- I'll come with you.

- [Tim Voiceover] They
gave it their best shot.

It was all they could do.

And I loved them for it.

(soft music)

It was over.

Nothing left to do but get under
the covers and go to sleep.

(soft music)

(sighing)

(soft music)

(soft dramatic music)

- Oh, Henry!

Henry!

Tim!

Henry, Tim.

- Tim!

- Baby, where have you
been? Are you all right?

- You had your mother
and me worried sick.

- Tim.

What do you mean
you're not a dog?

You're my baby.

- Look at you, are you okay?

- I'm never gonna let
you outta my sight again.

- I was a dog. I
was on the street.

I was cold.

(upbeat music)

- [Mary] What do you
mean you were a dog?

(gentle music)

- I wanna know when did
you guys find the time

to get the things that
you put in my stocking.

- Oh, a little elf helped us.

Yeah, we had a little help.

- But how did you get
out from under my eye?

When did you plan it?

- Hey, that's the magic
of Christmas, right?

Oh, did I tell you?

The company called, and I landed

the Valentine's Day account.

- Oh, Honey, that's great.

- Oh, and ... I've
got something to say.

Your mother and I have one
more Christmas present for you.

- You guys didn't
have to do that.

I'm just glad to be home.

- Oh.

- I know, but when
you were telling me

about Owen's dog,
I got to thinking.

Well let me put it this way.

On this glorious
day, when family--

- Honey, what your
father's trying to tell you

is that he called Mr. Slade.

- Did you tell him off?

- No, I wanted to
ask him something.

- What?

- I'll show you.

Ta-da.

- [Mary] Surprise.

(dog barking)

- Ralphie.

But.

What?

He's alive.

- That's right.

Yeah, I was able to track
Owen down. He was in jail.

I don't know why, but
anyway, he found him.

The bear didn't kill him.

And I knew he wouldn't
pay the vet bill, so

I made him a deal.

Merry Christmas, Son.

- Thanks, Dad.

- Hey, you.

Listen to me.

You stay close, real
close for a while, okay?

- Don't worry, Mom, I will.

- Oh, humor your mother.

(laughing)

- Hey.

Let's take a walk.

(parents laughing)

(upbeat music)

- Come here.

(upbeat music)

Go get it, boy. Go get the ball.

Go get the ball.

(upbeat music)

Good boy, good boy.

You're my best
friend. Go get it.

- I thought I was.

- Oh, hi.

- What did you
get for Christmas?

- Well, I had a dog.

- Mom told me they found you.

- No, they didn't
find me, you did.

- You mean?

- Yeah, the professor
was right, Haley.

- Was that really you?

- Yeah. You believe
me, don't you?

- I don't know.

(soft music)

- Since the second grade, huh?

- Do you still
lick your friends?

- No, actually I figured
out something better.

- That is better.

Isn't it, Muffin?

(cat meowing)

- Well, actually,

I think that might be
your late Aunt Minnie.

A friend of mine told me that.

(soft music)

Will you help me find my dog?

- Sure.

- [Tim Voiceover] And that's
exactly how it happened.

The most special
Christmas of my life.

The Christmas I was a dog.

(dog barking)

- Come on, come on, let's go.

- [Tim Voiceover] Nobody
ever saw the professor again.

Or that big deputy,
for that matter.

I don't know for sure,

but I think that maybe
they ended up together.

- Don't complain about
the weather to me.

Look, I told you, Deputy,
but you wouldn't believe me.

Ah, some people
are so pigheaded.

- [Tim Voiceover] But
that's another tale.

(soft music)

♪ So it's crumbled around you ♪

♪ So it's taken its toll ♪

♪ So it's broken
your heart rate ♪

♪ So once young but now old ♪

♪ Still your life ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ So this is your life ♪

♪ But what's to become? ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ From that place
I call my own ♪

(soft music)

♪ It's such a long
long way to go ♪

♪ Such a long long way to go ♪

♪ From that place
I call my own ♪

♪ Still your life, yeah ♪