Thomas' Fuzzy Friend (magazine story)

"What are you doing, Thomas? Engines can't have pets!"

- Annie

Thomas' Fuzzy Friend is a magazine story released in the Classic Thomas Story Collection series and illustrated using images from the television series series.

Plot
One morning, Thomas, Nia and James are starting work at Knapford Station when a stray dog appears on the tracks. James orders it to go away and it scampers off, but Thomas meets the little dog later on his branch line. Thomas is worried about the dog's safety and decides the best thing to do would be to carry the animal in his cab, which leaves Annie shocked. Thomas then explains that he knows he can't have a pet, but he can find the dog a new home. While the little dog enjoys his ride in Thomas' cab, the search for an owner is going smoothly until the dog spots a squirrel, leaps from Thomas' cab and chases it into the woods.

Thomas hurries after the dog, but he isn't watching where he is going and crashes into a log on the line. Thomas is derailed and stuck in the woodland. The clever little dog knows just what to do and he picks up Thomas' driver's hat and runs off to find help.

Back at Knapford, the dog brings the driver's cap to Sir Topham Hatt who understands that something may have happened to Thomas. Emily follows the dog back to Thomas' location. Thomas is delighted to see Emily and his fuzzy friend. Emily goes to find Rocky and in no time, Thomas is re-railed and back at Knapford. Although he's glad to be back on track, Thomas is upset that he hasn't found the dog a home.

The little dog is happy to see Sir Topham Hatt again, but is even happier when he finds a little boy and his father. The boy asks if he can keep the dog and the father agrees, as long as the little boy promises to take care of it. Thomas is very pleased, but says that the dog will need a name. The little boy calls the dog Fuzzy and Fuzzy barks happily at his new name.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Annie
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Albert
 * Thomas
 * Emily
 * Nia
 * Rocky

Trivia

 * This magazine story is based on the twenty-fourth series episode of the same name.