Arctic Dogs

Way up in the Arctic, there's a small town called Taigasville.

A remote berg lost in time,

where everyone knows everyone.

That's me.

Right there.

You see?

Swifty's the name.

I'm an Arctic fox.

And my kind evolved to blend into the environment.

Oh, you see?

There we go again.

So why dressed in all white, you ask?

Well, let's just say my parents were a little old-fashioned.

To them, being invisible meant being safe.

Out of sight, you're all right.

That's the Arctic fox mantra.

But, for me, being invisible...

Hello, Mr. Musk Ox.

...well, just meant being...

...invisible.

And that's the last thing any kid wants to be.

All I wanted was to be seen, to be noticed like...

...these guys.

The Top Dogs.

Duke, Dakota, and Dusty.

Taigasville's biggest celebrities,

and easily the most visible citizens in town.

Being noticed was never a problem for them.

Sorry.

I'll fix it.

Hold on a second.

Uh... there you go.

Hmm?

Thanks.

The Top Dog delivery was cause for celebration.

They were our connection to the outside world,

through the packages and letters that they brought us.

And for a town as isolated as Taigasville, trust me, that really meant something.

Hm.

Hey there, citizens.

Arctic strong.

Yeah!

Arctic strong!

Wow.

Hey, this is so cool.

Thanks. Awesome.

Wow.

Thank you.

Arctic strong!

Excuse me.

Oh, hey there, little girl.

What can I do for you?

Is there anything for him?

Hm.

Oh, I almost didn't see you there, little fella.

Let's see.

Nope, afraid not.

Here, what's your name?

Swifty.

Swippy?

Swifty.

Ah.

There you go, Shifty.

Whoa.

Now, remember kids, when put to the test, deliver your best.

Arctic strong!

Arctic strong!

Now that's recognition.

Ah, youth.

Warm memories of being cold.

Once Jade left for school,

I turned my focus towards working at the place of my dreams.

Yep, that's me.

Years later.

Talk about bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Literally.

I was finally hired on as an ABDS junior employee.

Uh-uh.

Not so fast. Fox go there.

Oop.

Hey, there.

Welcome to the jungle.

Well, all right, thanks.

I was on my way.

The dream of being a Top Dog,

of being recognized and standing out from the pack,

was so close that I could taste it!

Yeah, okay, well... maybe it wasn't that close.

Oh, what is this?

Employee of the year?

And a lingonberry pie in my honor.

You shouldn't have.

FM The Blast.

Good morning, Taigasvillians.

You're listening to Nasty Naz Narwhal.

Today's gonna be a balmy one,

with a record-breaking high...

...of 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

So pack up those parkas

- and break out the wind breakers. - Nailed it!

Scientists from around the globe have been scratching their heads

trying to figure out why the sudden spike in global temperatures,

which have managed to level off...

...in recent years, but now, all of a sudden,

pow, it's hot, hot heat out there,

and no one knows why.

That's the bad news.

So how about some good news, folks?

It's Duke's 25th anniversary with the ABDS.

Yes, siree.

A big shout-out...

...to our favorite mail-carrying canine.

This one goes out to you, big guy.

So, who's gonna be a good boy? Who's gonna be Top Dog?

Oh, that's you.

And look at me. Oh, no, it's you. Top dog.

You are... Top Dog!

Come on, come on...

Yes!

No!

PB, open up.

PB!

Wait, what the...

What is that?

Swifty, what are you doing here so early?

I lost my pound.

What pound?

The pound I gained to hit the 20-pound minimum

to pull the Top Dog sled.

- Well, you can't fight your metabolism. - I can and I will.

Put to the test, I'm going to deliver my best. Come on!

Swifty, how have I put this repeatedly in the past?

- Look out! - Oh, yes.

Deliveries have only ever been made

by dogs, and you are not a dog.

- What? - You are a small Arctic fox

who was not meant to pull a giant sled with even gianter packages on it.

- Are you hearing me? - What? Yeah, every word.

Come on, buddy.

We've got a found to find. Let's go.

Whoo!

Maybe you should just be happy

with what you have.

Swifty.

I mean, you could break your legs

pulling one of those sleds.

Or catch hypothermia.

Or fall into a crevasse and have to eat your own feet.

At least I'll be remembered for something.

The only thing I'll be remembered for now is not being memorable,

like that other guy.

What guy?

Exactly.

Oh, the work bell.

Oh, no, we're going to be late.

It's going to take forever to walk from up here.

Who said anything about walking?

Okay, give me a second.

Here we go.

I'm bathing.

- Are you crazy? - Crazy like a fox!

Take a risk once in a while. It's good for you.

This is not a good idea!

- Hang on, buddy! I'll get us there. - Slow down!

We can't slow down in the air.

I think I'm gonna lose a pound.

Come on, PB. Enjoy the ride!

Too fast.

Watch out!

- We're gonna die! - We're gonna die!

Whoo!

So you think Jade would ever go out with a fox like me?

Really? Now you're talking about this?

She's been back for a year now and you haven't done anything.

A year? Well you know, these things are all about timing!

Whoo!

Sorry!

Watch out!

Look out!

Ah!

- Swifty, what are you doing? - Hey there, Jade. Hi, how's it going?

Sorry!

Argh!

See? Like I said, we made it.

Ew.

Yeah, better not let Magda see that.

Magda see everything.

PB on line.

Swifty, my office, now.

Hm.

What are you looking at?

Adequate?

Extremely.

Extremely... adequate.

Up from last year's competently sufficient,

but down from the year before's satisfactorily appropriate.

Still, no promotion for you this year.

Now, get back to work.

Magda, I...

I've worked really hard for this.

- I mean this... It's not fair! - Life is not fair.