Ep 1. Betty Jo's Dog

In the season 2 premiere of Petticoat Junction, entitled "Betty Jo's Dog," we are welcomed back to Hooterville, home to the Bradley family and their beloved Shady Rest Hotel. The episode opens with the youngest Bradley daughter, Betty Jo, rushing into her mother's room, begging for a puppy. Despite her parents’ objections, Betty Jo is determined to get a dog.

As the family prepares for their annual Hooterville Flower Show, Betty Jo sneaks off to meet the local animal shelter’s representative, Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson introduces Betty Jo to a rambunctious pup named Smoky, who quickly steals the little girl's heart. Despite Mrs. Thompson’s warning that Smoky is a troublemaker, Betty Jo adopts the pup and brings him home to the Shady Rest.

Predictably, Smoky causes chaos at the hotel, chewing on furniture and causing mayhem wherever he goes. He also manages to get himself locked in the hotel safe, which requires Hooterville's local handyman, Sam Drucker, to break him out. However, despite the constant trouble, Betty Jo refuses to give up on her new pet.

Meanwhile, the Bradley family is preparing for the Flower Show, vying for the top prize against their long-time rivals, the Pixley family. The show is hosted by the snobbish Mrs. Stroud, who never believes that the Bradleys can win. However, when Mrs. Stroud's beloved dog goes missing, the Bradleys rally to help find him.

Smoky the dog proves to be quite helpful in the search for the lost pup, showing off his impressive tracking skills. With Betty Jo leading the way, the two pups follow the trail to a nearby gulch, where they discover Mrs. Stroud’s dog. The grateful Mrs. Stroud is shocked to learn that it was the Bradleys who found her beloved pet, and she is forced to admit that they are not the no-account family she always imagined them to be.

In the end, Smoky not only helps the Bradley family win the Flower Show, but he also manages to win over the hearts of everyone in Hooterville. Even Betty Jo's father, who was initially opposed to the idea of a dog, admits that Smoky has become a beloved member of the family.

"Betty Jo's Dog" is a heartwarming tale that highlights the importance of family, perseverance, and the unconditional love of a beloved pet. It's an episode that will make you laugh, cheer, and maybe even shed a tear.