Premiere episode. Jeff inherits Lassie from the late Homer Carey, but the young collie seems strangely reluctant to leave the Carey home.

Pokey needs a blood transfusion to save her life and only Lassie has the blood needed for the transfusion.

Gramps is going fishing on the day of local elections and Ellen is worried that his absence from voting could mean a man who dislikes all dogs is elected as animal catcher for the area.

Ellen makes Jeff promise to stop taking on dares from other people. However, his promise is tested when a mischievous boy takes his report card and leaves it atop a phone pole.

Jeff persuades Gramps to enter a turkey shoot, even though Gramps doesn't think his eyesight is good enough.