The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera

52. Signs of Friendship

February, 1991

One morning, Huckleberry Hound walked out onto his front porch and stretched his arms, yawning as he breathed in the fresh air. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, despite the chill in the air. It was a good thing he was wearing his scarf. His puppy dog Pudgy scampered out of the house after him through the doggy door, wagging his tail and barking happily.

"You're right, Pudgy!" Huck smiled. "It is a pretty day! You wanna play some fetch?"

Pudgy barked again and picked up his favorite tennis ball in his mouth.

"Okay, boy! Gimme the ball and I'll throw it for ya'!"

So, Huck and his puppy played a few rounds of fetch on the front lawn, when they noticed something in the distance. Somewhere down the street on the opposite side of Canine Boulevard, they saw a moving van pulling up to a house! Huck's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Well shuck my corn!" he exclaimed. "It looks like someone is finally movin' into the Horowitzes' ol' house! I sure do miss those folks, but I can't wait to meet these new neighbors!"

He adjusted his scarf, then clipped on Pudgy's leash and walked him down the block so he could get a better look. He could see the movers hauling some furniture through the front door, including a large pink loveseat, a dresser and some side tables, while another pushed a hand truck loaded with boxes. And helping them was a cat who had purple fur. She had brownish-maroon hair that hung into her eyes and wore a dark blue hooded sweatshirt with a pair of jeans. Nearby, there was another purple-furred cat who was a bit shorter, who had magenta-colored hair. She wore a pink shirt and a small blue skirt, and she seemed to be quite interested in exploring the new house.

"Wow!" Huck whispered to himself. "They look like right nice folks! Hmm...I wonder if'n I should do my neighborly duty and offer a helpin' hand with the move-in?"

"Don't worry, Holly," the taller cat with the maroon hair said. "We'll be moved into our new home in no time."

But Huck noticed that the cat was moving her paws in strange motions as she spoke. He felt a little confused, but said nothing. He just shrugged and decided to walk across the street and introduce himself.

"Uhhh...excuse me, ma'am?" he called as he approached the front gate. "Howdy!"

The taller cat turned and noticed him. "Oh, hello!" she replied. "You must be..."

"Your friendly neighbor from down the street!" Huck finished. "I thought I'd drop by and offer a helpin' hand seein' as you got so much stuff to haul into your new home!"

Pudgy wagged his tail and barked happily in concurrence.

"Oh! And I see you have a cute little puppy too!"

"Yep! This here's Pudgy! Oh, and my name is Huckleberry Hound!"

"Huckleberry Hound!? The famous cartoon star?"

"That's me! But you can just call me Huck."

The cat extended her paw for a handshake. "It's a pleasure, Huck!" she smiled. "You may call me Cassie!"

"Nice to meet you, Cassie!"

But then, Huck heard another noise coming down the block.

"Meow! Meow!"

"Oh, there you are, Mimi!" he laughed.

Huck's little kitten had run out of the house through the doggy door and caught up to him and Pudgy!

"Looks like you heard about what me and Pudgy were up to, didn't you?"

"Meow!"

Cassie giggled. "Mimi, is it? She's adorable too!"