First and only time the city Dog Pound is featured.
Despite being a pig, Abner has dog-like characteristics.
On Abner's doghouse, the "E" in "Abner" is backwards.
The signs on the park Abner passes by read "Keep dog on leash" and "Pigs are allowed".
The phone number on the "Have You Seen This Pig" billboard is "555-PORK".
On a corner shelf at the boarding house two figures resembling Arnold and Gerald can be seen.
The truck that dumps the garbage to lure Abner has the words "Quack Trucks" inside it.
One of the trucks at "Pig Skins R-US" has the license plate "OINK1".
We learn that Arnold has a great-uncle who is also named Phil. However, it is uncertain whether this Phil is related to Arnold's Grandpa or Grandma.
It is revealed that there are two different characters with the same name called Abner: one is Arnold's pig and the other is a male human.
Production Notes[]
This episode features the "Abner" variation of the Groove Remote track.
The credits list Maurice LaMarche, the voice of Big Bob, as Abner. This is one of very few cartoons where Frank Welker doesn't do the animal voices.
Welker also didn't voice Chester in the episode "Pigeon Man".
One of the men driving the dump truck is seen smoking a cigar, despite Nickelodeon's policy against references to tobacco in their shows.
Airing[]
This episode aired the same day that Bill Clinton was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States.
Cultural References[]
The title of the episode is a parody of 1943 film Lassie Come Home.
The "Pig Skins R-US" brand is a parody of U.S. based toys retailer Toys "R" Us.
Story Analysis[]
In reality, footballs are made out of cow hide, not pigskin. By this point in time, cow hide was also not used as much for using commodity footballs for the public. These footballs are usually made from vulcanized rubber.
Misc[]
During this time, wrestler Mick Foley would make pig squealing noises through his deranged-themed "Mankind" gimmick. Ironically, Arnold would also feed Abner a sock, which is also shown to be one of Abner's favorite foods, two years before Mankind debuted his trademark sock puppet Mr. Socko as well; this sock puppet also marked a major transition in his Mankind character, becoming less deranged.
Morals[]
Raising and owning a pet is a big responsibility.
No matter what, always remember the good times you spent with your pets.
