Dog Dale Afternoon
Episode KH317
Original Air Date: 4/13/99

Hank and his friends drive Dale over the edge when they steal away his state-of-the-art lawn mower.

Hank allows Dale to borrow his cherished riding mower with the proviso that he replace the gasoline. Unfortunately, Hank later catches Dale riding the mower to a drive-thru window of a fast-food restaurant. Hank’s anger grows when Dale reveals that he abandoned the mower when it ran out of fuel near the gas station. Hank retrieves the mower and refuses Dale borrowing privileges. With his lawn mowing only half completed, Dale invests in a state-of-the-art riding mower, complete with an alarm system. Hank and his friends cannot hide their envy. Later, Hank and Bill realize that Dale replaced the gasoline from Hank’s mower with soda pop. Hank vows revenge. While Dale is taking a shower, Hank and his buddies steal the lawn mower. They leave behind a message that reads, "we have your mower." Dale cries to the heavens.

Hank and his friends claim not to know anything about Dale’s missing mower. They then prey upon Dale’s already paranoid nature by planting an oil filter on his doorstep and doctoring a photograph to make it look as if Lee Harvey Oswald is riding his mower. The pranks take their psychological toll, causing Dale to grow unhinged. Hank notices the change and begins to think it is time to return the mower. Bill and Boomhauer, however, believe otherwise. Eventually, Hank places the machine on Dale’s lawn. He asks Nancy to tell him that it was all a joke. A short time later, Bill spots Dale in a college tower armed with what appears to be a gun (in reality, however, the "gun" is a wand used for spraying bugs). Bill notifies Hank and the police about the potential for trouble. Sharpshooters surround the tower.

Using a public address system, a police sergeant alerts Dale that the tower is surrounded. Dale shouts down from the tower, telling the police about his wand. Unfortunately, the spray from the wand ignites, creating what appears to be a flame thrower. Scared, Dale tosses the flaming wand and tank over the side. The incident causes Dale’s already fragile mental state to deteriorate even further. He then begins making outrageous demands. Hank convinces police that Dale will listen to him. He climbs the tower stairs and tells Dale the truth about what happened to his mower. Feeling betrayed, Dale concludes that Hank is not really his friend after all. But Hank manages to change his mind, and Dale agrees to come down from the tower. As the pair descend the stairs, one of Dale’s gun club members takes aim and opens fire. Hank is struck by the bullet and slumps into Dale’s arms. Dale is wracked with guilt and promises to dedicate his life to all things propane. But as it turns out, Hank was wearing a bulletproof vest. Dale is overjoyed when he realizes his friend is not hurt after all.