Season 31

In the season finale of "The Simpsons" Season 31, titled "The Way of the Dog," things take a turn for the family pet. Santa’s Little Helper starts acting out, prompting the family to seek help. They end up consulting an animal therapist named Elaine, who delves into the dog’s past to uncover the root of his behavior issues. Elaine discovers that Santa’s Little Helper has unresolved trauma from being separated from his mother as a puppy. So, naturally, the Simpsons set out to find her. Their quest leads them to a racetrack where they reunite Santa’s Little Helper with his mother. With the family dog’s emotional baggage finally unpacked and resolved, Santa’s Little Helper returns home in a much better state of mind. The episode closes with everything back to its usual Springfield normalcy: Homer remains clueless, Marge is supportive, Bart is mischievous, Lisa is insightful, and Maggie is... well, Maggie.