CHAPTER 1: THE PUDGY POOCH
Charlie Brown, Frieda, Sally, Michael, and Wyatt were all enjoying some pizza at the Brown's home. Silas and Maureen had gotten the kids some pizza to eat, and invited Frieda and Michael to join them. Snoopy was also enjoying some pizza of his own, gobbling it up not piece by piece, but rather pie by pie!
"Thanks for inviting me over, Mr. and Mrs. Brown," said Frieda.
"Not a problem, dear," said Maureen. "We're just glad you've brought so much happiness into our Charlie's life."
"Your son is a wonderful boy, ma'am," Frieda replied. Charlie brown smiled.
"I'm glad you invited me, as well," said Michael.
"Well, for a long time, Sally was infatuated with Linus, who wasn't interested in dating her," said Charlie Brown. "You filled that void."
"And I couldn't be happier," agreed Sally, who gave a kiss on the cheek to Michael, who smiled. The kids all looked at Snoopy, who's belly was getting larger and larger. The beagle had put on some serious pounds in the recent months. And everyone took notice.
"Snoopy is fat!" giggled Wyatt.
"Wyatt!" scolded Maureen.
"Mom, Wyatt is right," said Charlie Brown. "Look at Snoopy. His belly is larger than his brother Olaf's!" And everyone looked at Snoopy's growing paunch. While he had always had a healthy appetite, lately he was eating a lot more, even for him. Charlie Brown had fed him regularly and the same amount of dogfood he always had, but Snoopy was obviously sneaking in snacks and having other meals on the side. A couple of days ago, he had broken his previous record of 10 Joe Burgers from Joe's Café to a whopping 20 Joe Burgers. Most folks would stop at half of that large burger, but Snoopy could scarf it down like he was inhaling air.
"Looks like your dog needs to go on a diet, babe," said Frieda to Charlie Brown.
"You're right, Frieda," agreed Charlie Brown.
"I knew that dog would overdo it with his greediness one day," said Sally.
"You're one to talk, sis," retorted Charlie Brown. "Remember Bean Bag Camp and when you came back? You were almost as big as Snoopy is now!"
"Don't remind me, big brother," groaned Sally, recalling how big she got after spending all summer watching TV and eating junk food at Bean Bag Camp when she was younger.
"Getting back to Snoopy, he has been eating quite a bit as of lately," said Frieda. And everyone watched as Snoopy struggled to get up and his belly was sloshing all over the place as he walked back outside. Charlie Brown, Frieda, Sally, and Michael went to the window and watched as Snoopy struggled to get back on top of his doghouse. He could usually get up there without any effort, but now he was getting a ladder and climbing up there.
"Good grief!" said Charlie Brown. "When Snoopy is having trouble getting to the top of his house, that's when we know he's in trouble! He's going on a diet as of today!" Outside Snoopy was winded from the climb to his doghouse. Woodstock and some of the other birds were laughing at the spectacle. Woodstock even puffed his cheeks and put his wings out mimicking Snoopy's stomach and waddling about. Snoopy got mad.
"Go ahead, you stupid birds!" he ranted. "Tease me in my hour of need! My need for food!"
NEXT CHAPTER: IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF GARFIELD, "DIET IS 'DIE' WITH A 'T' AT THE END!"