The Way of the Dog

Episode	References	Gags	Appearances	Gallery	Quotes	Credits

◄ The Hateful Eight-Year-Olds

The Way of the Dog

Undercover Burns ►

The Way of the Dog
Episode Number	684
Production Code	ZABF16
Original Airdate	May 17, 2020
Main character(s)	Santa's Little Helper
Title Screen	Snowball I, Nibbles, Bart's turtle and Mr. Pinchy fly through the screen with angel wings on their backs
Special Guest Voices	Cate Blanchett as Elaine Wolff Michael York as Dr. Lionel Budgie
Show Runner(s)	Al Jean
Written By	Carolyn Omine
Directed By	Matthew Faughnan

"The Way of the Dog" is the twenty-second episode and finale of Season 31, which replaced "Podcast News" as the season finale.

It was originally not supposed to be the final episode of that season, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted production for future episodes. These episodes would later become holdovers from Season 32.

Synopsis

After the Simpsons' dog bites Marge, the family explores the tragic past of Santa's Little Helper.

Broadcast History

United States

Broadcast date(s)	Channel aired
May 17, 2020 June 21, 2020 August 20, 2020
December 23, 2020