Stories Podcast: "Dog King: Pickles and the Elf"

Host: Amanda Weldon
Air Date: December 24, 2025
Writer: Daniel Hines
Podcast: Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

Episode Overview

In this heartwarming holiday tale, "Dog King: Pickles and the Elf," Dog King and his motley crew of alley dogs embark on a snowy adventure to help Pickles the Chihuahua unravel the mystery of a stranger in his dad's shoe shop. What starts off as a case of mistaken identity turns into a magical collaboration to save Christmas, blending humor, teamwork, and lessons in apology and forgiveness—all set to the backdrop of a cheerful snowy day.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Introduction and Scene Setting

• [03:24–04:50]
  • Dog King relaxes on his lumpy mattress "throne" in an alley between two dry cleaners, basking in fresh snow. The world is quiet as most dogs are indoors with their families for the holidays.
  • Quote:
    • Amanda Weldon (narration): "Sure, it was just an alley...but today it was a glowing realm of pure beauty." [03:24]
  • Dog King expresses joy in the peaceful, snowy atmosphere.

2. The Dogs Gather

• [05:07–06:39]
  • Dog King is joined by:
    • Rambo, a wild, short-haired pitbull.
    • Broadwin, a large Saint Bernard suited for snowy weather.
  • The trio discusses the traditional "pee tour"—dogs marking the newly fallen snow, with Rambo goofily claiming the park slide.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • Rambo: "I call the slide. I want to see if I can pee all the way down." [06:34]
    • Broadwin: "Well, then whoever slides down it next will get soaked, Rambo." [06:39]

3. Pickles’ Wild Entrance

• [07:09–08:32]
  • Pickles, the excitable Chihuahua, appears under a mound of snow, grunting and dragging a mysterious, thrashing figure with him.
  • With the help of Broadwin and Dog King, Pickles reveals he’s captured what looks like a tiny thief—actually, an elf.

4. The Elf’s Introduction and Mistaken Identity

• [08:50–11:19]
  • The elf, surly and unimpressed, is mistaken for a criminal by Pickles.
  • Notable quote:
    • Elf: "And what are you looking at, you big fuzzy galoot?" [08:50]
  • Tension rises as Pickles accuses the elf of robbing his family’s shoe shop, vehemently defending his dad's honor.

5. Clearing up Confusion: The Elf’s Real Mission

• [11:19–14:34]
  • The elf clarifies he's a cobbler elf, not one of Santa’s toy-making elves.
    • Elves like him help craftsmen finish work by Christmas Eve so they can be with family.
  • Elf's explanation:
    • "What I really am is a cobbler...I make shoes. Every year around the holidays, all us cobbler elves go out and try to help shoemakers get their work done." [11:56]

6. The Apology and Forgiveness

• [14:46–15:12]
  • Pickles realizes his error, panics about his potential fate with Santa, and apologizes profusely.
  • Pickles, distressed:
    • "Oh, this is going to get me in so much trouble with Santa. I'm getting coal for years. I don't even like coal. It gets my fur all dirty. Oh, I've made a terrible mistake." [14:53]

7. The Plan to Save Christmas

• [17:09–19:44]
  • Dog King proposes all the dogs help the elf finish the shoe orders, so Pickles’ dad can enjoy Christmas Eve with his family.
  • Dog King, inspiring leadership:
    • "There is only one night and only one you. But what if you had help?" [18:28]
    • "You are looking at it." [18:52]
  • The elf, now named Cobb, accepts the dogs' help.

8. Magical Shoe Workshop Montage

• [22:47–24:27]
  • Cobb uses magic to enter the shop and helps sneak in the dogs.
  • Rambo drools with excitement over the leather scraps, Pickles boasts of his family’s shoe legacy, and everyone finds their role ("None of you have thumbs, so I'll do the tricky work..." [24:06]).
  • With laughter and effort, they finish all the shoe orders just in time.

9. A Christmas Miracle (and Quick Escape)

• [24:27–25:55]
  • The team completes the work as Pickles’ dad returns. Cobb and the dogs quickly make their exit, each with a scrap to chew.
  • Cobb promises Pickles he won’t tell Santa about the misunderstanding and wishes everyone well.

10. Closing and Chorus

• [25:55–26:39]
  • The pack returns to their alley, celebrating their teamwork as the "Dog King" theme song returns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dog King (on leadership):

  • "There is only one night and only one you. But what if you had help?" [18:28]

• Rambo (comic relief):

  • "I call the slide. I want to see if I can pee all the way down." [06:34]
  • Regarding the cobbler: "You're a cobbler. Like a peach cobbler or an apple cobbler. Oh, I need a taste." [12:11]

• Pickles (on his legacy):

  • "My family has been making fine shoes since before most people were even wearing shoes. They were barefoot, looking at my great grandfather like he was some kind of shoe wizard." [24:35]

• Cobb the elf (on forgiveness):

  • "Nah, you're all right. My fault for getting sloppy and letting you see me." [17:53]
  • "It'll be our little secret, big guy." [20:58]

• Narration (closing warmth):

  • "Having saved Christmas for Pickles and his family, the motley crew ran back to their alley. Dog King, as always, leading the way." [25:50]

Important Timestamps

• 03:24 — Dog King's snowy kingdom introduction
• 06:34 — Rambo's anticipation for the pee tour
• 08:30 — Pickles captures the elf
• 11:19 — The elf explains his true purpose
• 14:53 — Pickles’ apology and panic about Santa
• 18:28 — Dog King’s suggestion they can help
• 22:47 — Magical entry into the cobbler’s shop
• 24:27 — Shoes finished; dad returns
• 25:55 — The dogs' escape; the story’s resolution song

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a warm, humorous, and genuinely kindhearted tone throughout, full of silly dog banter and gentle lessons in empathy and teamwork. Dialogue is playful yet wise, ensuring both children and adults find enjoyment and meaning.

Takeaways

• Teamwork and Apologies Matter: By pooling efforts and owning up to mistakes, even the most unlikely group can save the day.
• Understanding Others: Quick judgments can lead to misunderstandings—instead, giving others a chance to explain often leads to surprising friendships.
• Holiday Magic: Sometimes, a bit of magic is just what’s needed to bring friends and family together at the most important time of the year.

Perfect for a cozy winter listen, “Dog King: Pickles and the Elf” combines laughter, mischief, and the spirit of Christmas into a story young listeners will want to revisit every holiday season.