Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

How's it going, Alex?

I got to talk to you.

I saw your pup today.

He really misses you.

He won't play. He won't do anything.

I talked to the girl that owns him. Jenny.

She's a real nice girl.

She's worried.

I told her about you and Jake.

That's his name by the way. Jake.

Anyway, she wondered if you might come by

and try to cheer him up a little bit.

What do you say?

I don't want to see him.

He's not my dog.

Besides, I don't miss him.

Maybe not, but he misses you.

I thought you might want to help a friend. He is your friend.

He's her friend.

I told you I don't want to see him.

Okay.

I can't say I blame you.

He's not much fun to be around.

He won't play. He won't go for a walk.

He just lies there and cries.

It probably wouldn't have done any good anyway.

I'll see you, Alex.

[laughter]

Mr. Smith!

Yeah, Alex?

I'll go one time.

But just once.

That's all.

Thanks, Alex.

Pick you up at three o' clock tomorrow.

I'm going to see you again.

Oh, there he is! There he is!

Dog!

Dog!

[dog barking]

[Alex] Come on.

Nice doggie.

Yeah.

Yeah. Nice dog.

Hey, we'd better tell the Raines we're here.

Oh, yeah. Nice dog.

Here, boy. Come on.

Mr. Smith?

Right. Mr. Raines?

This is a friend of mine, Mark Gordon.

My son Paul,

my daughter-in-law Michele.

Hello.

Where's that boy?

He saw the dog as we were driving up. He couldn't wait.

I sure hope he's the cure.

No doubt about it from what I saw.

Let's go take a look.

RAINES: We appreciate this.

Jenny's really been down in the dumps.

I think it's a combination of things...

Her dog and a little jealousy.

She's about to have a new baby brother.

[Jonathan] They can get worried, I know.

When's the baby due?

MRS. RAINES: In a little over four months.

[Mark] You don't really look pregnant.

I'm not, Mr. Gordon.

It's a surrogate mother.

Well, there they are.

Come on.

Yeah.

Come on, boy.

All right. Good boy.

You were right as rain, Mr. Gordon.

Jenny, how's Jake?

Great! Watch.

Come on, Jake!

Come on, Jake!

Come on, boy.

Come on! Get the ball.

Come on, boy!

All right!

Looks like they'll be playing for a while.

Why don't we go to the house

and get something cold to drink?

Sounds good to me.

You know, most people don't realize

that coyotes love avocados.

You ride into the grove around sunrise.

and every coyote you see heading back to his den

will have an avocado in his mouth.

I'll be darned.

Would you care for more iced tea, Mr. Raines?

Anybody?

Not for me, thank you.

-That's fine, Jason. -Thank you, sir.

[Jenny] Can Alex come back tomorrow, please?

Jenny, introduce us to your friend, please.

This is Alex. Can he come back tomorrow?

[Mrs. Raines] Does Alex want to come back tomorrow?

Sure he does, don't you. Alex?

It's fine with us. Mr. Smith?

I'll have to check with Miss Holly at the group care.

I'm sure there'll be no problem.

Oh, good. Grandpa, can Alex stay longer?

Jenny, why do you always ask your grandfather?

You know why. He always says yes.

Thanks for putting me on a spot.

All right. A little longer.

Yay!

Looks like Jenny's got herself a new friend.

[honking]

Look at what Mr. Raines gave me. My very own glove,

just like the big leaguers.

That's something.

You thanked him I hope.

About 50 times.

Can Alex come by on Friday?

We're going to make homemade ice cream.

Sure. No problem.

Hey, where's my invite?

[Jonathan] You're more than welcome.

He'll take you up on that, believe me.

Let's go, Alex.

Thanks.

Oh. Bye, sweetie.

See you Friday.

See you Friday!

Mr. Raines, telephone, sir.

Thank you, Jason.

Hello.

Yes, speaking.

Yes, doctor.

Where?

I see.

Is it serious?

What is it? Is it Lorraine?

Certainly.

No, no, no.

We'll come down there.

We'll meet you there.

What is it?

Just take it easy. Lorraine's spotting.

He's checked her into the hospital.

Oh, my god.

Now don't jump to conclusions.

I told him we'd come down.

I want to tell dad.

Jenny, you stay with your grandpa.

Yes. All right.

Um... Saturday would be fine.

Oh, I'd say about two o' clock.

All right.

We'll see you then.

Bye-bye.

Look what Mr. Raines gave me.

It's just like the big leaguers.

That's a terrific glove.

I can catch good with it.

Alex, I've got some news.

You've been doing so very well lately.

Everyone feels... You're really ready for a new foster home.

I talked to Mr. Bergen,

and he's placing you with a very nice couple...

The Turners.

They already have a foster child,

a boy a year older than you.

You'll have somebody to play catch with.

How does that sound to you?

What about Jenny's? Will I be able to go to Jenny's?

We'll see what we can do.

I'm sure you'll be able to visit sometimes.

When do I have to leave?

This Saturday.

[Mark] Alex?

See you Friday, buddy.

It's not easy for them at first.

Strangers...

Strange surroundings.

But I think he's going to be fine this time.

And we need the room here

for the more troubled youngsters.

Yeah.

We'll see you Friday.

-Goodbye. -Bye.

[Mark] Any idea what the next assignment is?

[Jonathan] We haven't finished with this one yet.

[Mark] As far I can see, by Friday, this one's done.

Lil's got all the volunteers she needs,

got donations for a new dog-mobile,

Alex is ready for a new foster home.

Come on, it's over.

Like you always say, Mark,

"It's not over till the fat lady sings."

[singing Wagner opera music]

[Door opens]

She lost the baby.

Oh, no.

I'm... I'm sorry, son.

Talk to you in the morning, okay, dad?

[horn honks]

Well... I guess I got to go.

Do you think I could say goodbye to your folks?

I don't know when I'll ever see them again.

I don't know.

Mom's been in bed all day.

We can try, though.

Come on.

Daddy... Can Alex come in for a minute?

Not now, Jenny.

But he's leaving. He might not come back.

He just wanted to say goodbye.

Jenny...

It's all right.

Okay. Just for a minute.

Come on. It's okay.

Jenny told me what happened.

I'm real sorry.

Thank you, Alex.

What's this we hear about not seeing you again?

I'm going to a new foster home,

So I don't know when I'll ever see you again.

But I wanted to thank you for everything.

We'll see each other.

Do you have our phone number?

Yeah.

[Mrs. Raines] Well, you be sure and call us.

Tell us how you're doing.

I will.

Well, I guess I got to go.

I'll never forget you,

and I'll keep praying that you'll have

that little boy you've always wanted.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you, too.

You be good.

[Jenny] Alex.

Take Jake with you.

What?

You're going to a strange place.

You're going to need a friend.

Wait a minute, Jenny.

I don't know if they'll let him keep a dog there.

They'll let me, Mr. Gordon.

They have to let me.

Alex...

Please, Mr. Gordon? Please?

[sighs]

All right.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Come on, Jake! Come on!

[dog barking]

Come on, Jake.

Miss Holly! Miss Holly!

Alex, what's wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

Jenny gave me her dog to keep for my very own.

Oh, Alex...

We'll have to find out if it's all right

with the Turners.

Oh, it will be.

They're going to love Jake.

He's smart and housebroken.

He's the best dog.

I'm sure he's all those things,

but I'll still have to call.

Let's do it now.

It'll be all right. You'll see.

All right. Let's go inside.

[dog whines]

Oh, it'll be all right.

I know it.

No answer.

Why don't I take Jake back to the kennel Until you get a hold of 'em?

No, please! Let him stay here!

I know it's going to be all right.

See? He wants to stay with me.

Please?

He wants to sleep with me.

Please?

All right.

But remember, Alex, we don't know for sure.

Come on, Jake.

We got to tell the kids.

[dog barking]

Think it's going to be all right?

God only knows.

If it's not, it's going to break his heart.

Probably shouldn't have let him take the dog in the first place.

But you saw his face. I just couldn't.

I know.

All we can do now is pray.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

He's the smartest dog in the world.

Is not! Lassie is!

Baloney! Benji's smart, too.

Is not.

Is, too.

There's a lady on TV that has a dog that talks.

That's dumb.

She did! I saw it!

Did not!

Did, too!

Okay, everybody. Cosby's on.

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Come on, Alex!

Miss Holly, can I bring Jake down?

In a minute.

I just talked to the Turners.

It's all right if I keep Jake, isn't it?

Alex, they're really nice people,

And they said they'd love to have the dog.

But they can't.

What do you mean?

Well, they live in a building

that doesn't allow pets.

They feel really bad,

But there's nothing they can do.

I'm so sorry, Alex.

We'll have to take him back to Jenny's tomorrow...

On the way to the Turners'.

Hey, you're going to see Jake again.

I'm sure you're going to be able to visit him.

It's not the same.

He wanted to be my dog.

I shouldn't have loved him.

You want to bring Jake downstairs?

No. We'll stay up here.

Okay.

There's a pool in the building where the Turners live.

That should be fun.

Alex, I know how you feel,

But you have to remember,

it's not the Turners' fault.

I know.

I have to go to the bathroom.

I'll stop at the next station.

Thanks.

Come on, Jake.

Come on, Jake.

Come on!

[dog whines]

Come on, Jake. Hurry! Come on.

[knocking at door]

Alex.

Alex!

Alex?

Do you have the key to the men's room?

There's a ladies' room back there.

I know that.

A little boy is in there and I'm worried about him.

-Did you knock? -Yes.

If you can't get up and open the door,

just give me the key, please.

All right.

Take it easy.

Kid's probably got diarrhea or something.

Thank you.

Alex...

Oh, my god!

Where's your phone?

There's a pay phone in the office.

Come on, Jake!

[whimper]

I know, boy.

I'm thirsty, too.

We got to find water.

And then we'll be okay.

We'll be okay.

Come on.

[Jonathan] Here you go.

You better call Miss Holly before we go.

Yeah, I know.

I've been putting it off for as long as I can.

No news is good news, you know what I mean?

Mark!

Telephone. It's miss Holly.

Keep your fingers crossed.

There on the desk.

Hello.

Yeah.

Oh, no.

Well, listen, we'll do everything we can.

Yeah. So do I.

We'll be in touch.

Alex ran off with the dog.

They wouldn't let him keep it.

Poor kid.

[Mark] Miss Holly called the police.

Jonathan, where would he go?

Who knows?

Why is the boss letting this happen?

What boss? What are you talking about?

It's not important, Lil.

Mark, let's go.

You got something?

I'm not sure.

Lil, if we get any calls, we'll be at the Raines' place.

All right.

Poor little kid.

[panting]

Come on, boy. We can't stop now.

It's getting hotter.

We have to find water.

[whimper]

Come on, Jake.

You can't stay here.

You'll die!

Come on, boy.

[whimper]

I'll get you help, Jake.

I'll get you help.

That's everything, sir.

-Thank you, Jason. -Have a good trip, sir.

Thank you. We will.

This trip will do Michele a world of good.

I hope so.

It will.

No phones, no one saying how sorry they are.

By the time we get back,

she'll be ready to try again.

Yeah, I suppose.

What does that mean?

I don't know.

You just begin to wonder if it was ever meant to be.

You all set?

Yeah.

All right.

Grand canyon, here we come.

Jenny!

Jenny!

Jenny!

Jenny!

Jenny!

Jenny!

How about some music?

Sounds good.

[radio plays]

Mr. Raines, you haven't seen Alex, have you?

Alex? No, why? What's going on?

They wouldn't let him keep the dog. He ran off with him.

Jenny!

Alex!

Alex.

Hey, you got any water in the car?

I got some sodas.

We have to get Jake.

He's going to die.

He was too heavy. I couldn't carry him.

Just take it easy.

I can't.

We have to get him. Please don't let him die.

-[Mr. Raines] Here you go. -Thanks.

Drink it slow. Not too much at first.

[Jonathan] Take it easy.

We have to get him.

He's on the hill.

I'll show you.

I know where he is. He'll be all right. I'll get him.

Why don't you take him to the house.

Better call a doc, let him take a look at him.

I got it.

All right. Let's go.

You better call Lil. Tell her to get over here.

We don't know how bad off this dog is.

Come on.

It's all my fault if he dies.

It's all right.

I notified the police he's safe.

How is he?

He's dead tired and still dehydrated.

Let him keep sipping fluids,

but he'll be okay.

He can go home in the morning.

I better call Miss Holly.

You can use the phone in my bedroom.

He keeps asking about the dog. How is he doing?

He's downstairs with Lil. I'll check on him.

Can we see him?

Sure. Just make sure he gets some rest.

Alex?

Jake.

How's Jake?

Lil's with him.

It's all my fault if he dies.

It's always my fault.

No, it isn't.

[Alex] Yes, it is.

Every time I love someone,

something bad happens.

It's me. I'm bad.

No, Alex. You're not.

You are a wonderful boy.

No, I'm not.

That's why my mother left me.

It was all my fault.

Alex.

A friend here wants to see you.

Jake!

You're all right, boy.

You're all right!

Yeah!

Good boy. Oh, yeah.

You're back.

Yeah.

Yeah!

Why don't we let him rest. I think he'll be all right now.

I think I'll stay with him for a while.

Can I stay, too?

Sure.

Poor kid.

Why does he blame himself?

Kids blame themselves for so much...

Divorce, death.

In Alex's case, it's even worse.

His mother deserted him, and his father blamed him.

A sweet kid like that.

I can't believe he can't find a home or a family.

People want babies, Mr. Raines.

I'll tell Lil the pup's staying tonight.

He's doing a lot better.

He ate all the soup.

Where's Jonathan and Mark?

With Alex.

[sighs]

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing.

There is.

What is it?

Oh, I don't know.

The boy, I suppose.

You never really think about what it's like

for them out there...

All those children.

Do you want some coffee?

Yeah.

Oh!

It's not done yet. I always do that.

Do you wonder if it was meant to be?

What?

The baby.

Losing the baby.

I mean, did you ever...

Think it wasn't supposed to be?

What are you talking about?

About Alex.

I mean, what a boy.

He's got so much love.

What the hell's so special about my genes, anyway?

I'm going to miss him.

So am I.

Then why do we have to?

Do you mean it?

What about you?

[Mark] We were just leaving.

[Mr. Raines] Better stick around for a bit.

Grandpa, you wanna come down to the boy's room?

Alex.

We want to talk to you.

You like it here, don't you?

Sure.

You're going to miss us?

Yeah, I'm going to miss you.

Well...

We're going to miss you, too,

and we don't want to.

How would you like to stay with us

and be... Our son?

You mean it?

You bet we do.

What do you say, son?

Yeah!

Well, kemo sabe, it all worked out all right.

Yeah.

Yeah, at least for Alex.

Thanks to Jake.

Now I know why they're called a man's best friend.

It seems kind of strange, doesn't it?

What?

You'd think man's best friend would be man.

[car engine starts]

[theme music playing]