Have you ever wondered, "What if Gary (Jon's first partner) never died?" "What if Ponch never got back on his motorcycle in season 5 episode 13,"Breaking point?" "What if Jon finished his story about Ponch, in season 1 episode 7 "Taking its Toll?" "What if..." There are lots of "What If" questions, about stuff that could've happened. Welcome to the "What if." Series, where all of those questions are answered.
Welcome to story number four of the "What If?" Series.
"What if Ponch got to keep Fido? The dog in the episode "Dog Gone"
In the episode "Dog Gone." Ponch and Jon find a dog and are supposed to take it to the animal shelter. So it's real owner can come pick it up. Ponch and Jon both want to keep the dog though. Jon takes the dog home, but it is loud, and he is not allowed to have pets in his apartment. So he takes that dog to Ponch. At first Ponch doesn't want it, but after a night spent with the dog. Ponch doesn't want to part with it. He names it Fido, because it needed a name. The dog ends up going to its home at the end. But what if Ponch got to keep the dog?
In this story, Ponch and Jon are still loving the dog, but they know they are supposed to give it to the animal shelter. The lady there tells them if it isn't gone after a certain date Ponch can have it. The owner never comes for Fido. So Ponch gets to keep him.
"Ponch, Getraer will kill us if we keep this up. You need to take Fido to the animal shelter," Jon said. Ponch wasn't paying any attention to Jon he was playing around with Fido on the ground. But as soon as Jon said animal shelter. Fido and Ponch both stopped playing. Ponch hugged Fido tightly.
"Jon I love Fido. I can't take him there," Ponch said. Fido licked Ponch a bunch.
"See, he doesn't want to go either," he said. Jon rolled his eyes.
"I never should've taken him to your place that night. I should've just listened to Getraer and taken him to the animal shelter," Jon said quietly. Ponch tried to ignore that. Then he saw Getraer coming over.
"Uh oh, Fido, you need to hide," Ponch said. Fido just crawled behind Ponch. His tail was wagging, and it was rubbing against Ponch's back. It tickled, but Ponch tried not to laugh. He was still sitting on the ground with Jon looking down at him. Getraer came over.
"What is going on here? I am not paying you to sit around Poncherello," Getraer said.
"I know that," Ponch replied.
"No you don't, if you did you wouldn't be sitting here still," Getraer said.
"But I can't leave yet," Ponch said.
"Why not?" Getraer asked. Jon noticed that Ponch was trying to come up with an excuse to stay with Fido. So he tried to help him out.
"Ponch hurt his ankle. If he sits here for a bit and ices it he should be fine. I was just leaving to get the ice," Jon said.
"And you have to sit outside?" Getraer asked.
"I wanted some fresh air," Ponch said. Getraer wasn't buying the story, but he knew Baker and Poncherello well enough to know that when they made up a story, they'd be sticking with that for a while.
"Ok, but let me know when you are leaving. I wanna take a look at your ankle, Poncherello," Getraer said.
"Yes sir," Ponch said. Then watched Getraer walk away. "That was a close one, thanks Jon," Ponch said.
"You're welcome, but now you need to sit here longer and I have to go get some ice," Jon said.
"Why?"
"Your ankle remember?" Jon said. Ponch smiled.
"Oh yeah," Ponch replied.
"Come here Fido," Ponch said. Fido came back over to sit on Ponch again.
"Ya know Fido, that really tickles when you rub your tail against my back," Ponch said, as he pet him. Fido was really happy, he just continued to wag his tail, and lick Ponch's face. Jon came back over.
"Ok Ponch, I called the animal shelter. They said that we could bring Fido over there," Jon said.
"Jon, I don't think you heard a word I said. I am not taking Fido to the animal shelter. You know there is a reason why dogs run away from home. Most of the time it is because they don't get treated nicely," Ponch said.
"Your point is?"
"Jon, I don't think Fido wants to go home," Ponch admitted.
"What, did he tell you that himself?" Jon asked irritated. He seemed like he was really mad. But really, on the inside he didn't want to take Fido there either. Fido seemed to really make Ponch happy. And Jon loved to see his partner so happy. Jon was even considering getting Ponch a dog since he liked them so much.
"Jon, look at him. How can you send this cute dog to an animal shelter?" Ponch asked. Jon didn't respond this was starting to become too hard for him. He was once again starting to not want to take Fido there.
Meanwhile….
After a long talk, Jon finally convinced Ponch to take Fido to the animal shelter. Well more like Jon was done arguing, and forced Ponch to take Fido back. Ponch was really sad.
"Fido, I want you to remember this. I did not want to take you here. It was all Jon's idea. Don't be mad at him though, it was more Getraer's fault than his," Ponch said. Fido just stared sadly at Ponch he didn't want Ponch to go. The lady that worked there walked up to them.
"Um sir, if the dog isn't gone by the end of the week you can have it," she said.
"Are you serious?" Ponch asked excitedly.
"Um, Ponch, what would Getraer say?" Jon asked.
"Who cares what Getraer would say. I'll be back at the end of the week Fido. Maybe you'll be coming home with me," Ponch said happily.
To Be Continued