Ep 2. The Stray

The Waltons is a popular television show from the 1970s that follows the lives of a family living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. In season 6 episode 2, titled "The Stray," the Walton family is faced with a dilemma when they discover a lost dog on their property.

The episode begins with John Walton (played by Ralph Waite) and his sons, John-Boy (played by Richard Thomas) and Jim-Bob (played by David W. Harper), returning home from a trip to the mountain. As they walk through the woods, they come across a stray dog wandering around. The boys are immediately taken with the dog and beg their father to let them keep him.

With some reluctance, John agrees to keep the dog until they can find his owner. However, the family soon bonds with the dog, naming him Jack, and they start to worry about what will happen to him if they have to give him up.

As they search for Jack's owner, the family learns more about the dog's past and becomes increasingly attached to him. Meanwhile, they are also dealing with their own personal struggles. John-Boy is struggling with writer's block and feeling insecure about his ability to make a living as a writer. Mary Ellen (played by Judy Norton) is trying to balance her work at the hospital with her duties as a wife and mother, while also coming to terms with the fact that she may not be able to have any more children.

Eventually, the family learns that Jack's owner has died and there is no one to take care of him. The Waltons are faced with a difficult decision: should they keep Jack, knowing that they can provide him with a good home, or should they try to find him a new owner who may be able to give him a better life?

Throughout the episode, the family reflects on their own struggles and experiences, and they come to the conclusion that they can't simply give Jack away. They have come to love him as a member of their family, and they promise to take good care of him for the rest of his life.

Overall, "The Stray" is a heartwarming episode that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and family. It is a great reminder of the importance of taking care of those who come into our lives, whether they are human or animal.