The short story Scooter which is in 5 Fables For the Young at Heart came about as the result of the frustration of working on a TV script turned toothless by committee.
I wrote an episode for The Littlest Hobo about London engaged in a battle of wits against a rabid raccoon.
Shortly before the episode was to be shot they called to say that the production office had made major changes to the script. I was asked if I wanted my name removed. The changes were devastating to the story dynamic, but the dog’s owner didn’t want London trying to get another animal killed, however dangerous the animal might be to others. It weakens the drama but he owned the dog.
I maintained the credit but was disappointed in the show.
The idea percolated in my mind and became the story of Scooter, a different dog, but a hero nonetheless. - JAG
RABIES
London tries to trap and divert an infected raccoon before it can reach the children.
The series aired on CTV from 11 October 1979 for 6 seasons with the last episode airing on 7 March 1985 - 114 episodes.
Rabies - Nov. 18, 1982 - Jun. 30, 1983
The series ran again on CTV weekdays at 4:30 PM.
Rabies - Dec. 15, 1997 - May 22, 1998
London helps a Veterinarian, Dr. Edmunds, trap a rabid raccoon before it infects anyone or anything else. He entices it onto a raft and sets it adrift onto the lake, but before he can get Edmunds to the scene, the raft drifts ashore and the raccoon disappears into the woods. Edmunds continues her search, assisted by two local farmhands while London goes off alone and traces the raccoon to town. Edmunds plans to tranquillize London the next time they see him, to test him for rabies. She and the farmhands go to town to issue a public warning about the raccoon, and they spot London. London avoids their tranquillizer darts to continue on the raccoon’s trail. He finds it in a yard where a boy and girl are playing. He lures the raccoon into the kid’s playhouse and traps it inside. The boy explains to Edmunds how London trapped the raccoon, which is humanely destroyed, and London is tested, declared uncontaminated, and released from Edmunds' care.
Barbara Kyle (Dr. Edmunds)
Martin Doyle (Ernie)
Cedric Smith (Terry)
