Please don't cry, Kate...
Puppy in My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville has its fair share of sad moments despite being an overly cheesy, sugary cartoon about puppies.
As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.
The Friendship Ceremony
- At the beginning of the episode, Caroline asks her mother if she wants to play with her, but then her mother says that she and her father have to leave for work. Caroline leaves her new present be and looks out the window, contemplating about having someone to play with. Especially that this is a situation that many kids, especially if raised as an only child and having busy parents, can experience.Caroline: I'm tired of playing alone…
- Ava talking with her sister Eva. She was clearly trying to be nice to her, only for Eva to use sarcasm and sass against her, even talking behind her back.
- Kate gets separated from her mother for the time being due to her mother's work being located far away, leaving it to her father to take care of her by himself until she returns. Not to mention that she also misses her old hometown since she and her parents moved to the Big City.
- The last hug Kate and her mother share before the latter boards the train, with Kate sobbing.
Maria: You know I’d love to come with you, sweetheart, but I have to stay in the city a few more weeks until mumma’s work is finished. I promise we’ll all be together soon. - Ava freaking out when seeing Zull charge towards her, and still confused on what's going on, jumps to the middle of the Magic Fountain and pushes Magic to safety, only to get herself teleported and Kate taking her place. This shows she really cares about her subjects and is willing to put herself in front of others when it comes to great danger, but the Pocketville denizens just lost their beloved monarch.
The Unexpected Guest
- Balloon walks up to rub Ava's throne in the throne room, and Mela, Danny, and Kate say this afterwards:Mela: Yes, now that the fountain is dry and the princess is gone, the Friendship Ceremony is no more.
Danny: Only the princess can do the magic.
Kate: But if the princess was the only one who could do the magic, how do I get home? I’ll never see my parents again! - Kate starts to get homesick and misses her parents. At the end of the episode she cries in Ava's bedroom with Magic comforting her. Even the Royal Guards, who watch her through a handheld Magic Mirror, have felt sorry for her. The fact that Kate was experiencing separation anxiety to an even higher degree just makes it even sadder.
- Ava is seen lost and hungry in the Big City at the end of the episode.Ava: Somehow when Zull stole the Friendship Heart, it brought me to the Big City. I have to find a way back to Pocketville!
Going Home
- Kate and Magic are about to leave for the Big City, until…William: The fountain only works for one puppy or human at a time.
Magic: But she’s my friend! We can’t split up! We only just met!
Mela: I’m sorry, Magic.
Magic: We’re friends. We should be together, always.
Kate: I know, Magic, I know. But I have to go home. My life is there with my parents! But I hate to leave you!
Magic: I understand.- Kate and Magic also share a hug, just before Kate is about to depart. However, this is thwarted by Zull getting in the way.
A Big Responsibility
- Martina, who recently moved to the Big City with her mother Mary, is homesick for her former hometown Tuscany and has an olive branch with her as a reminder of it. As she's introduced to Kate by Mary, she's visibly sad. Poor girl.
- Kate tries to activate the Pocketpedia but to no avail. Even the Royal Guards pitied her.
- This one last line from Kate:Everything turned out well today and I should feel happy. But I’m worried that Princess Ava is out there somewhere. Alone.
Crest of a Wave
- Annabelle's father is about to go on another fishing trip out into the sea, but she cannot go with her because of her fear of water, despite her father's colleague encouraging her to go with them. Regardless, she is still sad that she can't spend time with her father.
- The stray dogs being jerks to Ava. She was about to eat scraps from a bin outside a restaurant when they come in and claim all of it for themselves, leaving nothing for her.
Frisbee
- Liam has a father who is constantly busy with phone calls, often relating to work, that he doesn't have any time to play with his son. This is especially one to those who grew up with busy parents.Liam: We’re supposed to be playing. Except as usual, he’s talking on his phone. He’d rather do that than play with me.
- After the conversation between Kate and Liam, Liam simply gives his frisbee to Kate and runs away, saying he doesn't need it anymore.
- When Magic and the Royal Guards are swept away by an avalanche that was caused by Zull and Gort rolling a giant snowball down a slope, Kate is frightened, and immediately she calls for Magic, her trusted companion. It shows she really cares about her puppy friend.
- At the end of the episode, during a downpour in the Big City, Ava is seen weeping.
Don't Be Afraid
- Emily is excited to read another book about cats but is put down by her mother's annoyance at not only having another cat book but her interest in cats in general, due to her fear of them. Not only this but her mother's phobia essentially denies Emily to get what she truly loves: a cat of her own.
- When Camo appears to Emily, she gets excited to meet her but her mother immediately ushers her away despite Emily explaining to her that he's not there to harm her, much to her disappointment.Emily: I'm sorry, little kitty. Bye-bye.
- One can't help but feel sorry not only for Ava but for Wallace, who just wants to help Ava survive in the city. He accidentally scares her when he finds her but tells her that he can help her, only for her to flee from him.
Food for Thought
- Molly’s parents seem to try so hard to get their daughter to eat healthier and care about her and her health, though she said she can’t help herself. However, they could allude to parents who just enable their child's behavior.
- At the end of the episode, Ava desperately tries to find something to eat and sees a mushroom, but Wallace stops her from eating it, telling her it'll make her sick. She faints from exhaustion and hunger after she tries telling him she's fine.
New Friends
- Poor Ava is sick and has to be taken care of by Wallace for the time being. He snatches a tray of food from a nearby restaurant, but Ava refuses to eat. Yet another moment where one could feel bad for both of them, Ava for being lost and not knowing what to do in the city and Wallace doing all he can to take care of her despite her stubbornness.
- Kate becomes worried about meeting unfamiliar people at her new school. Of course, this could be one to those who had to experience moving locations and thus transferring schools.
- Ava for the first time realizes that Wallace was being kind to her the whole time.
Patience
- Kate comes down with a fever during her search for Ava in the park, which causes her father to immediately take her home to rest. Her bout of sickness was likely what accumulated from all the stress she had to undergo, saving the monarch of a kingdom nobody in her city or likely even the world knows about, with all the responsibilities of Ava in her hands.
- That night, Kate tries to sleep but is uncomfortable, which saddens Magic as he watches her.
Believe in Yourself!
- Due to Valerie's lack in confidence affecting how she plays volleyball, which ends up giving another point to the opposing team, one of her teammates tell her that the team could may as well be better off without her.Valerie: Oh, if you want me to go…
Girl: We may be better off without you, Val. You’re… kinda short and you’re not helping. - Kate meets Valerie after the game, and Valerie simply assumes she's just there to make fun of her. However, Kate is sincere as usual and tells her she played well, though she just needs more confidence, but Valerie doesn't think she'll ever be. In the UK dub, she even sounds like she's about to cry.Valerie: Listen, I know you’re trying to be kind, but… I'll never be good. Whatever I do. I’m sorry. I have to go now.
Heads Up
- In the park, two boys play a prank on Michaela by bursting a water balloon on top of her. When Kate and Magic approach her, she immediately assumes they've come to make fun of her, although they actually came to make sure she's alright and tell her to be more aware of her surroundings. This doesn't make her feel any better, however.Michaela: So let me get this straight: I should always keep my eyes open, right? To avoid those dumb tricks. It’s my fault people play tricks on me all the time.
Kate: Well, you…
Michaela: You don’t understand. I just can’t.
The Bargain
- As Wallace and Ava take a walk across the city, they meet a pair of stray cats who are hiding behind a trash can to keep hidden from the Pet Buster, who had them briefly imprisoned and then set them free once he thought they were of no value compared to Ava’s species. The shaky tone of their voices just shows how petrified they are of him. Poor kitties.
- Stephan wished for a pet piglet, but ever since his family’s move to a new home and his mother’s recent Neat Freak personality he was declined one because of their messy nature. Of course, keeping the house clean is a must but his mother takes this way too far, turning down what her son had wanted.
- After the Magic Drop was blown away by the wind and stuck between rocks in the waterfall, Kate is determined to capture it, but Magic is especially worried since both the river current and the waterfall are dangerous. He offers to help her, but the branch Kate stands on is much top cannot support both of their weight. Even someone as young a puppy as Magic cares a lot about Kate and does not want her to be in harm’s way.Magic: Listen, I cannot let you risk your life. Not on your own.
Kate: Magic, please.
Magic: My mind is made up. Both of us or neither of us.
Kate: You really mean that?
Magic: We are a team. We’re partners. Together forever.
Nearly!
- Due to his stage fright, Daniel doubts he would ever go back on stage again, despite the words of encouragement from the director, who is his own mother. When Kate greets Daniel and is genuinely nice to him, he thinks she is trying to make fun of him and ends with a blunt "leave me alone".
A Bad Fall
- Vanessa appears to be down in the dumps at the dining table with her father, his coworkers, and Kate, not speaking much aside from a “mm-hmm.” It could be that she’s sad or simply shy, or even both.
- As Kate and Vanessa take a look around the stables to feed the horses, Vanessa explains that she loves horses, but the reason why she hadn’t been riding lately was because of an accident where she fell off her horse and got hurt.Vanessa: I’ve tried, but I can’t. I get a strange feeling right here in my stomach, and I can’t move!
- Jenny’s hooves being so irritated by stepping into the prickle grass Eva planted, that she gallops nonstop and even kicks Mela accidentally. It wasn’t until Kate finds a way to calm her down by brushing her coat. Jenny even says that she didn’t intend to hurt anyone.Jenny: No, get back! I don’t want to accidentally kick you!
Kate's Birthday
- The conversation between Peter and Maria, showing that he does care a lot about their daughter and even notices how she usually runs off a lot.Peter: She misses you, Maria. She’s so distant. She’s off wandering every chance she gets. She needs to spend time with her mom!
Maria: I know. It can’t be easy for her but she’s an intelligent girl.
Peter: You’re right. - Ava saying that the amusement park reminds her of home.
- The Pet Buster catching Ava in an Inescapable Net, just as Ava lets out a desperate cry for help. As Wallace comes to her rescue, the Pet Buster slams him out of the way, knocking him unconscious. Even Magic is driven to tears as he tries to reach Ava. However, by the time Kate and her parents arrive, the Pet Buster had already left with Ava, and only see Magic whining next to Wallace. But as Magic explains to Kate what had really happened, this also leaves Kate in tears. This especially marks a turning point in the series, where it’s even more difficult for Ava to return home. They were almost there until the Pet Buster took their chance away.
- Keep in mind this all happened on Kate’s birthday of all days. When she was supposed to have fun at the amusement park that day, she instead has to leave early to not only take a knocked-out Wallace to the vet, but also deal with the failure to capture Ava.
The Puppybuster
- Kate had to separate from her mother again after both of them along with Kate's father spent time at the amusement park in the previous episode.Kate: You’re leaving already? But… Mom… can’t you stay for just one more day?
Maria: I’m so sorry, Kate. I just can’t. I really have to go back to work. The taxi’s waiting for me outside. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I promise we’ll see each other again soon, okay? I’ll miss you. Oh, Kate. - Nicole has a busy schedule full of so many extracurricular activities that she doesn't even have time to make friends. She even turns down Kate's offer of friendship because of it.
White as a Ghost
- Ava tries to get another cat to grab the key that was left on her cage door, but the cat was much too terrified of the Pet Buster. Poor kitty.Cat: No, he’s too strong! He’s too mean!
Ava: [thinks] Their fear is much stronger than their will to be free. - Beatrix has gotten very sick in the past, but it isn't specified on what ailment she had. However, it is implied to be something serious, hence her mother being very overprotective of her. Even if she has gotten healthier, her mother still remained that way.
Friendship is a Treasure
- The Bernese puppy appears to be absolutely petrified as it is presented on the table during the Pet Buster's auction.
- Just as the Pet Buster was counting the coins and Kate was about to get Ava to a safer place, Eva intrudes through the Communication Shell, telling the Pet Buster that keeping Ava at bay is all part of her plan to take the throne, even showing him proof of her lineage by telling him about her birthmark, as well as a promise to give him all the pets he wants once she becomes monarch.
Sweet Dreams
- After Eva had explained her plan to the Pet Buster, all of the gold coins Kate and Magic collected with the help of the Royal Guards had disappeared, making their way back to Pocketville. All of their hard work was absolutely gone all thanks to Eva’s meddling.
- Kate’s Nightmare Sequence. She and Magic get caught in an Inescapable Net and meet Eva, who takes the Royal Collar away from them.
- Francesca has worried so much about the upcoming test that she had lost sleep, and thus fell asleep in class. Her being stressed about upcoming exams is even relatable to people much older than her.
Good Manners
- Kevin pushing Kate around by shoving her and throwing water balloons at her is a realistic depiction of bullying. Not to mention that absolutely no student or even an adult stepped in to stop Kevin from doing so, let alone witness it happening. Kids Are Cruel indeed.
- The other students at Bella’s etiquette class insulting Andre, a sloth, for his slow pace, not keeping in mind that it’s in his species nature to be that way and he can’t help himself.
- Even the monkey comes in to distract Andre so that he and the other students can eat without him. Poor sloth…
Operation 'Princess'
- Eva being an absolute Jerkass towards her sister. She is incredibly blunt and rude towards her talk with Ava, and even has the audacity to say that "she didn't become evil, she has always been that way", and that because of her pure heart she is much too blind to sense evil in others. Then Ava proceeds to say she remembers several happy moments she and Eva had, to where her sister says that she's wrong, even if the flashback brought up about Ava hurting her paw seemed to be rather recent.
- Ava injuring her paw, which was intentionally done by Eva prying a large branch loose on her. If Ava wasn't quick enough, she would've easily gotten killed under the branch, or paralyzed from the hind legs down at the very least.
- To make matters worse, it isn't clear on whether or not she or Ava is telling the truth given the Unreliable Narrator, especially when Fridge Horror settles in. Was Eva lying out of some unexplained trauma for some reason? Because evil is taught to someone; nobody is born with it.
- Not to mention Ava's dialogue in the US dub after the flashback ends. In the UK one originally, she says "And I thought it was an accident," whereas in the US one, it was changed to "And I thought that you were truly sorry."
- These final words from Eva towards Ava can really be a heartbreaker. Towards her own sister who likely is her only blood family that's present. Why, Eva, why?
Eva: The truth is that back then I already couldn’t stand you. If you really want to know the truth, I never liked you. - Kate, being only a kid, is all confused once she encounters the Pet Buster when about to escape with Ava and her friends. She ends up locking herself and them up in the back room, not knowing what to do. And to make matters worse, her own father arrives and is not only disappointed but furious at what she did at the Pet Buster's house and is completely oblivious to the fact the Pet Buster is literally a Devil in Plain Sight as well as the condition he keeps his house in. Because of the Pet Buster's clever manipulation, Peter had to pay for the damages and grounds Kate for two weeks, not allowing her to go out for anything except school.
- Peter really needs to read the room. The Pet Buster clearly looks like he could potentially be a kidnapper (which he is, but for pets) and he should've went with the conclusion that he had taken his daughter and locked her up in that room.
- Hearing the Pet Buster's kidnapped strays cry for help. Magic wasn't kidding when he said the room of cages makes his stomach turn.
- Ava saying that it's her fault that she didn't listen to Eva's feelings.
A Gift for Ava
- Ava trying again in teleporting to Pocketville, but to no avail. She then says this:Ava: Maybe I'm destined to remain here forever.
- Kate and Magic get lost even further down in the Bottomless Cave with no way of knowing where the cave opening is. Think about it: a potentially vulnerable 11-year-old, lost in an enormous cave all by herself aside from a young puppy.Kate: I'm afraid that we're lost! The Royal Guards will be worried sick about us! We have to find a way out of here!
Magic: Oh, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. If I hadn't slipped, we wouldn't be here right now.
Kate: Well at least we're here together. So I'm sure we'll figure it out. Our friends won't abandon us.- The fact Eva says that whoever goes down in the cave has no hope of seeing the light again just makes this scene even more depressing.
The Last Piece
- Ava says this line, just as she was driven to tears:Ava: I can finally return to my throne in Pocketville… and once again be with all my beloved friends.
- The fact Ava only says she can be with her friends again and not her family just adds to the sorrow of it all. Perhaps she had no other family besides her sister, whom she does not get along with well, and it’s even evident given the absence of any parents she and her sister would have. Her friends were the family she never had.
- Kate is visibly worried about bringing another pet to a child to complete the mosaic of Ava, even denying some ice cream that her father offered. Magic even points this out, even if Kate denied it.
- Lucas struggles with confidence of performing with his father, even with his father’s words of encouragement. Especially with the insecurity of his voice.Lucas: I’m not afraid at all. It’s just that… I don’t feel ready.
- Sketch being pushed into the well by Zull and Gort. Especially with it being described as “practically bottomless”, there’s always this chance he could’ve lost his life in that well.
- Doubles as a Heartwarming Moment: that night, in the Princess Suite, Kate and Magic have a conversation about having to give the Friendship Heart back to Ava once she returns to Pocketville, with Kate being worried about not having to understand what Magic has to say again. However, Magic assures her that there is no need for words when understanding each other.
Together Forever!
- Kate holds a talk with her puppy Magic as she reflects back on all that she experienced in Pocketville and her new home, about what will happen after Ava's ceremonial return, including giving the Friendship Heart back to her, which would cost her the direct communication between her and Magic. However, Magic assured her that they don't need words to understand each other.
- Ava had to separate with Wallace when she's about to make her return to Pocketville. It especially hits hard that she started to have romantic feelings towards the mixed breed dog she stuck with prior to and even after being captured by the Pet Buster, as evident by her one kiss with him.
- The fact that Eva gets captured by the Pet Buster in place of her sister may be heart wrenching despite being the defeat of her. She may be the Big Bad, but she's Ava's sister for crying out loud. She likely had no other family aside from her, and now she has been separated not only from her home but from her possibly only blood family.
