You know, the Main Male Human of “101 Dalmatians” has had numerous occupations across the various continuities.
In the ‘Original Novel’; Mr. Dearly was a Financial Wizard who was so good, that he was able to ge rd of the National Debt (an individual that I bet most people wish we have around today), When he became Roger for the ‘Animated Films’; he was a Song Composer and for the ‘Live Action’ Incarnation, along with his Gaming and “101 Dalmatians The Series” Counterparts; he Designed…Video Games.
However, did you know that Roger has yet another Occupation to add to that pile? At this rate, Roger’s going to have more occupations than an average Prime Time Animated Man Of The House!
What’s this occupation though, you ask?
Well, let’s take a lookie at;
“101 Dalmatians; Little Squirts” and see.
We open on the fiftieth interpretation of the Dalmatian Plantation!
This is a common theme when you look at various; “101 Dalmatians” Tie-In Books, which take place after the original story, the Dalmatians and Family have moved to their Plantation, but what said Plantation was depended on the Writer or Artist.
You sometimes see they’re on a Farm, Other time they got a Cottage in the Country, heck, sometimes they’re still living in London (although you could argue that those stories take place before the actual mov). This time however, like “Snow Puppies”, they live in a Mansion.
This Story was published some time around the release of the ‘Live Action’ Film though, so it’s most likely going to Tie-In to that!
Pongo & Perdita gather the Puppies round and announce that they got a Surprise in store and they need to head to Town to know what it is.
One factor that I like in this story is the Character Interactions; a various example is when Pongo tells the Puppies to have.
“Uh Oh!” Patch loudly whispered to Lucky. “We got to behave.”
“You Have to behave,” Corrected Perdita.It’s a small piece, but at least the story does attempt to capture the various personalities of each character.
On the next page, I admit that Perdita’s tounge does look drawn rather odd. Considering how long it looks, you’d think she was holding a sausage in her mouth of something.
We also get a line from this mysterious Pup!
“What kind of Ceremony?” asked Dash.‘Also, Who am I?’
So, the Pups make their way to the Town Hall.
“The Black Spotted Pups tried hard to behave.”‘A Majority of the Liver Spotted Pups however were a bunch of terrors!’
Along the way, I have a feeling Disney told the Author to give us a; “Stay In School!” message since we do have this slightly forced line from Patch saying;
“I want to go to School, It looks like so much Fun!”I can assume though that, that’s probably the joke, if you get what I mean.
“The only school you’ll get to is Obedience School!” Teased Penny.Actually, Penny; Patch got kicked out from his Obedience Class after he misinterpreted the ‘Sit’ command…I got to admit, even Wizzer was surprised.
So, they arrive in the Town Square where this surprised is announced. Minor note as well, I notice in the Art work that a majority of the Front Row is taken up by the Dalmatian Pups. Well, better them being there than the tallest person in the World, blocking your view, Am I right?
But what is this Surprise?
“After Many Years Of Service, our Fire Chief, Mr. Richards has retired. So it is with great pleasure that the town elects Roger Radcliff as our new Chief for the Volunteer Fire Department!”‘Yes! We could have given the Job to someone who was already in the Department, and has had many years of Experience. But no, we’re just going to give it to the Local Composer!”
I got to admit though, It does in some way make sense to do a Story about this. Dalmatians are often known for their Fire Dog Roles, so having a story where they actually do become Fire Fighters is a given!
I also notice in the crowd at this ceremony is apparently; Horace in a rather spiffy outfit! Maybe he was given Parole for good behaviour or something.
Also, there’s this random child giving Roger the thumbs up. He looks like he’s about to enter a Sonic Zone! Although, judging by the clothes, maybe Horace used some kind of Youth Potion on Jasper?
Anita questions on whether Roger would have any time for his Songs, but Roger explains that the town’s pretty quiet, so it’s not likely for Fires to start…Until Summer time where you can’t turn on the News each day without apparently hearing that a Thatched Cottage is burning.
Although, you got to note that the Fire Department does more than just dampen the flames. There’s the case of Cats who get stuck in a tree (who just like to head back to the ground by the time the Fireman are there) and I did read that between 2010 and 2013, the London Fire Brigade had to rescue Eighteen Children with their heads stuck in Toilet Seats!
Roger begins his job at the Fire Station, where Pongo and the Dalmatian Puppies join him. The other Fire Fighters explain to Roger how everything works.
It’s not every day where you can say that you spent it telling your Boss how to do his Job!
“Sound the alarm, change into Uniforms, load the fire engine, go to the fire, unroll the hoses and spray the fire with the water!”Wait…I’m not a Fire Fighter, but isn’t it suppose to be Regulations to keep your Uniform on at all time? That way, you save time that you would have taken to put on your Uniform, and get to the emergency quicker?
Still, With his tour and instructions given (and after a marathon of Old Fireman Sam episodes), Roger feels confident in his Chief role.
A week goes by without a fire, but on the day where all the firefighters, aside from Roger, are at home with Flu (Although, best be certain it isn’t Pheu); Roger gets a call that there’s a fire at the Town Hall…Meanwhile, Pongo gets a message from Lassie on the Barking Chain saying; there’s also a Fire at the Old Mill!
Fortunately; the Puppies know what to do and help Roger getting the Engine Ready.
“Roger struggled to get his Firefighting gear on as fast as he could!”‘Maybe I should keep my Gear on at all times, just to be on the safe side in future…’
They reach the Town Hall where Roger & Pongo storm in on the ready, as the Pups keep the crowd at a safe distance (inclueding the Mates that Pongo was eyeing up at the start of the ‘Animated Film’, who live in the country now too, apparently).
I got to admit too, the pose of Roger & Pongo in firefighter gear does look pretty epic.
It turns out the Fire was just simply a Waste Paper Basket…How bad is this town if they need to call the Fire Brigade in order to put out a Waste Paper Basket?
Also, the previous page, with the Epic Pongo & Roger pose did show that there was quite a lot of smoke coming from the Hall. All that from a Waste Paper Basket?
Mind you, Pongo could be saying that to make the Puppies feel more calm. It’s entirely possible he & Roger had an experience like; Backdraft!
However, Roger tells the Mayor (who is apparently popular ‘What’s My Crime?’ Panellist; Inspector Graves) about what happened and the Mayor makes the Puppies Honorary Members of the Fire Department.
The next day; Roger actually decides to learn the drills from the Manual, so he can be as good at it as the Puppies…and in the next page; he’s reading a Newspaper.
Still This story is actually pretty good.
Like mentioned earlier, it’s mainly the character stuff that makes this story work. You do get the minor questions; such as why pick Roger as the Fire Chief even though he hasn’t really any experience in Fire Fighting, but it moves the Plot along and it’s not as though they’re making a Trash Collector their Morale Officer or Chief Diplomat.
The Art Work is very nice too, I often do enjoy reading stories of “101 Dalmatians” that take place after the Main Story, since it gives the Artists a chance to draw the Dalmatians in various scenarios and when they do, they do a really good job at it.
Still, ‘Little Squirts’ is definitely worth a read.
Although, Who is Dash?
”Little Squirts” Score
Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Overall:/ 9/10Should I review some more items, Pups? ;3