A/N: Written in memory of my wonderful husband who loved Snoopy so much. He always said that this was one of the saddest Snoopy moments

he'd ever read. I hope this story makes it a little happier.

The strange smell woke Charlie Brown out of a sound sleep. He bolted upright in bed, noticing that it was still dark outside.

"I smell smoke!"

Alarmed, he sprang out of bed and ran through the house. Before he could think about his next move, he heard someone banging on the door. As soon as he

opened it, he saw Snoopy whimpering on his doorstep. His heart went out to his faithful best friend.

"What's wrong, Snoopy? I-."

Snoopy began to bark wildly and when Charlie Brown looked over, he gasped. "Oh no!"

In the distance, he saw it. Snoopy's doghouse was engulfed in flames. Bravely he ran toward it, hoping that it wasn't as bad as it seemed. But it was worse;

much worse.

He loved Snoopy and would do anything for him, including trying to save his doghouse. But the fire was too much for one little boy to handle.

"Hang on, Snoopy. I'll be right back." He ran into the house and called the fire department.

"Help! Help!" He shouted into the receiver. "My dog Snoopy! His house is on fire! Come quickly!"

When Charlie Brown returned to Snoopy's side, Snoopy was howling with sadness at the sight of what was left of his beloved doghouse.

"Good Grief! My books! My Records! My pool table! My Van Gogh!" Snoopy seemed to be saying.

Charlie Brown grabbed the garden hose and tried to put out the fire, but the flames were too big. As much as he loved Snoopy, he didn't want to get hurt. All he

could do was hold Snoopy in his arms while he cried. At that moment he'd never loved Snoopy more.

The sirens in the distance grew closer and closer. Charlie Brown was so happy to see the firetruck and he directed it around the back. The firemen jumped out of

the truck and ran over to Charlie Brown.

"Are you all right, son?" One of the firemen asked in grownup speak.

"Yes, I'm fine. But Snoopy-."

"Don't worry. We'll get this fire put out in no time." The fireman said.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy watched as the firemen used their large hoses to drench Snoopy's house with water until the fire was completely out. Charlie Brown

was ever so grateful. "Thank you so much." He said to the firemen.

"It was our pleasure. I'm glad that you and your dog are okay. Now try to get some sleep, all right?"

"Bye!" Charlie Brown called to the firetruck as it drove away. "Thank you again!"

Charlie Brown wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep. It had been the longest night of his life. His heart hurt, seeing the remains of Snoopy's doghouse. All that was

left were cinders and ashes. Snoopy's whines and whimpers were all it took to make Charlie Brown cry.

Because Snoopy had no house, he had to stay in the house with Charlie Brown. Even though he loved the company, living with Snoopy was not easy. Snoopy

wasn't like other people's ordinary dogs. His demands for chocolate chip cookies and root beer sent Charlie Brown to the store again and again and he was

quickly running out of money. Snoopy refused to eat anything else, but Charlie Brown couldn't complain. Snoopy had even lost his dog dish in the fire.

He had to do something.


At school, Charlie Brown gathered Linus, Lucy, Frieda, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Sally, Franklin, Marcy and Violet and told them what had happened. Most of

them were sympathetic, except for Lucy, who always pretended that she didn't like Snoopy, but deep down, Charlie Brown knew that it wasn't true.

"What should we do?" Charlie Brown asked his friends.

"Aw, let him sleep on the ground!" Lucy said, folding her arms across her chest.

"That's not nice, Lucille!" Peppermint Patty scolded. "Snoopy is Chuck's friend! Who cares if he's a funny looking kid with a big nose? He's a great baseball player

and he deserves the best! I say we build him a new doghouse!"

The gang cheered in agreement.

"That's a great idea!" Charlie Brown said. "But I don't have any more money! Snoopy's run me dry!"

"I'll pitch in!" Schroeder said.

"Me too!" Linus said.

"I'll give you money, Charlie Brown."

Sally batted her eyelashes at Linus. "Oh Linus, you're so sweet to help our dog!"

Linus groaned. "Yeah, whatever."

"You can have my allowance, Big Brother!"

"Thanks, Sally."

When everyone had agreed to pitch in, they all turned to Lucy; the only one who hadn't said a word.

"No way!" she yelled. "Not for that stupid dog!"

"I sure could use some more money, Lucy. And you know I wouldn't ask if I didn't really need it."

"Yeah, Lucy! Show some compassion!" Linus said.

"I'm going to pound you!" Lucy shot back.

"Lucy, it would be a really nice gesture if you gave Charlie Brown the money in your tin can from your psychiatric booth."

Lucy smiled sweetly at Schroeder. "No-um... I mean… sure, Charlie Brown. I'll bring it over later."

Charlie Brown held out his hand as one by one his friends gave him money to pay for Snoopy's doghouse. When he glanced at the dollar bills and coins, he almost cried.

"Now remember, Lucy. You promised to give Charlie brown the money after school." Linus warned. "You wouldn't want to break a promise to Charlie Brown, right?"

Lucy sighed. "No…"

"Good! Then Charlie Brown, Lucy will see you at your house right after work. In fact, we'll all come over and start planning!"

Charlie Brown could hardly wait for school to be over.

For days they all worked together, planning and building their friend a new house. With the money that Charlie Brown had gotten from his friends, he was able

to buy enough supplies and paint to build a bigger house than before. And he made sure to ask his parents to add Snoopy's doghouse to their insurance policy.

He was grateful to Linus for the suggestion, but even more grateful to his friends for their generosity.


(Two weeks later)

They all gathered in Charlie Brown's backyard for the big reveal. The house was complete and they covered it with a large sheet. Charlie Brown wanted it to be a

surprise.

"Snoopy! Snoopy!" Charlie Brown called. After several calls, Snoopy finally came running and stopped at the sight of the large sheet-covered object. And then he

began barking wildly.

"Pipe down, Beagle!" Lucy scolded. "Just hold your horses!"

Snoopy's ears shot upward. "Horses?"

The gang gathered in a circle and Charlie Brown smiled. "Snoopy, the kids and I took up a collection and made this for you. I hope you like it. Lucy, would you

do the honors?"

"Me?" Lucy shouted. "Why me? Why do I always have to do everything?"

"I'll do it, Charlie Brown." Linus said. "I'll be glad to."

"Thanks, Linus."

Linus smiled. "Snoopy, this is for you." Slowly he lifted the sheet and everyone yelled.

"SURPRISE!"

Snoopy walked around the new doghouse. It was much larger, painted the same color blue as his favorite Bunny book. The sight made him cry.

"What's wrong with him?" Lucy shouted. "You ungrateful beagle! You're supposed to be happy!"

"I think he is." Charlie Brown said, as Snoopy hugged him tightly.


(Later that night)

Charlie Brown couldn't sleep. Try as he might, he tossed and turned. He couldn't figure out what it was. He was very tired but he still couldn't sleep. And then he

realized why.

He missed Snoopy.

With a sigh he climbed out of bed and put on his slippers. He crossed the yard to Snoopy's doghouse where Snoopy was sleeping soundly on top of it.

"Snoopy?" He said quietly, trying not to wake his friend. "Snoopy?"

Snoopy's eyes opened and he slid himself closer to the edge and peered over the side. Embarrassed, Charlie Brown stepped back.

"Um, Snoopy? I can't sleep and I just thought…"

Snoopy jumped off of his doghouse and motioned for Charlie Brown to come inside. He lay down on the ground on Snoopy's pillow and blanket, smiling when

Snoopy kissed him on his round head.

"Thanks, old pal!"

Charlie Brown was glad he didn't have an ordinary dog. Snoopy was the best.

THE END