Podcast Summary: "Throwback: A Dog King Thanksgiving!"
Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Host: Amanda Weldon (Starglow Media / Wondery)
Original Air Date: November 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode features a delightful throwback to one of the Stories Podcast’s classic tales: "A Dog King Thanksgiving!". Blending humor, heart, and a whimsical narrative, the story invites young listeners into an imaginative canine kingdom where generosity, community, and inclusion shine—perfect themes for Thanksgiving. Through the adventures of Dog King and his colorful cast of canine friends (and a surprise feline visitor), the episode tenderly explores what it means to be family and the joy of sharing with those in need.
Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights
1. Introduction to the Dog Kingdom (03:36)
- The story opens on Dog King, ruler of an alley filled with spirited dogs, as preparations get underway for their annual Thanksgiving feast.
- Joyful chaos is everywhere: dogs of all shapes and sizes collaborate, scavenging and building for the big meal.
"Dogs of every shape and size were running, waddling, rolling, wiggling and scooting their butts all over the alley. The air was full of barks and pants and howls and yips. They weren’t playing, though. Not today." — Narration [03:36]
- Creative details tickle the imagination: a table of pallets and cinder blocks, a mishmash of scavenged foods (from rainbow curry to melting meatballs), and the royal guards (two shaggy German shepherds).
2. The Feast and the Special Surprise (07:29)
- Dog King calls everyone together for a surprise: he's managed to procure a whole, perfectly cooked turkey—a Thanksgiving miracle for the alley dogs.
"Underneath was a whole turkey, cooked and steaming and heavy with meaty stuffing. It had taken Dog King a week of careful searching, but he’d finally found it in an unattended slow smoker..." — Narration [07:29]
- The alley erupts into joyful celebration, with dogs wrestling, howling, and wagging in anticipation.
3. Cat Chaos! The Feast is Interrupted (08:54, 10:47, 14:16)
- Just as Dog King is about to give his Thanksgiving toast, a small, scrappy calico cat crashes onto the scene—stealing food and turning the feast on its head.
- Hilarity ensues: Pickles the Chihuahua is terrified, the pack of dogs chase the cat, and the scene descends into slapstick chaos.
“Ah, it’s a kitty cat!" — Pickles [09:23]
"That cat is an assassin. A cat Sassin." — Pickles [13:25]
- The cat repeatedly manages to outsmart the dogs, setting off several madcap chases and grumbling from the hungry pack.
4. The Chase and Uncovering the Cat’s Story (15:51–18:25)
- After several interruptions, Dog King and friends track the cat to her hiding place: an old grill in a forgotten alley corner.
- Compassion slowly replaces frustration as Dog King and the dogs discover that the little cat, thin and alone, has been living in the grill and struggling to survive.
"Is this where you live?" — Dog King [17:43]
"I... I don't have any. I grew up alone in an old house... A few weeks ago, some humans moved in and I had to leave... That’s why I stole your food." — Cat [18:00–18:25]
- The cat confesses she has no family and hasn’t eaten in days, prompting visible empathy from the entire dog gang.
5. Inclusion, Kindness, and Chosen Family (19:06–20:41)
- Dog King reminds the alley that many of the dogs themselves started out without families, reinforcing the idea that family can be chosen.
"Well, we all learned that you really get two families. The one you're born with, sure, but also the one you choose. Or in this case, the one that chooses you." — Dog King [19:31]
- Moved by her plight, they invite the cat to join their Thanksgiving feast and give her a name: Cranberry.
"How about Cranberry?" — Dog King [20:33]
"I love it," the cat replied. "Cranberry." — Cranberry [20:37]
- The story concludes with Cranberry welcomed into the fold, demonstrating that kindness and generosity make for the warmest celebrations.
6. The Moral and Celebration (21:28)
- The dogs, now joined by Cranberry, return to their table, more excited and unified than ever.
- The closing chorus of the Dog King song cements the story’s playful, triumphant tone.
"And so, with one cat, one friend, extra barking and howling and rolling and wiggling, the dogs headed back home towards their feast. Dog King, as always, leading the way." — Narration [21:28]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:36 | Narrator | “Dogs of every shape and size were running, waddling, rolling...” | | 07:29 | Narrator | “Underneath was a whole turkey... He wasn’t king for nothing.” | | 09:23 | Pickles | “Ah, it’s a kitty cat!” | | 13:25 | Pickles | “That cat is an assassin. A cat Sassin.” | | 19:31 | Dog King | "Well, we all learned that you really get two families...the one you choose." | | 20:33 | Dog King | “How about Cranberry?” | | 20:37 | Cranberry | “I love it... Cranberry.” | | 21:28 | Narrator | “And so, with one cat, one friend, extra barking... Dog King, as always, leading the way.” |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:52: Opening “Dog King” theme song
- 03:36: Introduction to Dog King's alley and Thanksgiving plans
- 07:29: The “whole turkey” surprise is unveiled
- 08:54: First cat interruption at the feast
- 13:25: Pickles' dramatic retelling of the cat chaos
- 15:51–18:25: The dogs chase and confront the cat, uncovering her hardships
- 19:06–21:28: Inclusion, naming “Cranberry,” and invitation to the feast
- 21:28: The return to the Thanksgiving table, now with their new feline friend
- 21:50: Closing “Dog King” theme reprise
Tone & Style
- Warm, humorous, and whimsical; brimming with playful descriptions and comic timing.
- Empathetic and uplifting, especially in dealing with Cranberry’s plight.
- Maintains an age-appropriate, G-rated sensibility throughout.
Final Thoughts
"A Dog King Thanksgiving!" is a charming, family-friendly story about the power of community, acceptance, and the different ways we find and build family. The lively characters, strong message, and memorable humor make it a standout episode for Thanksgiving—or any time listeners need a heartwarming pick-me-up.