Martha Speaks (2009)

Martha faces off against a burglar in the opener of this animated series, in which the title character, a dog, gains the power of speech after eating alphabet soup. Then Martha becomes the host of a radio show and offers her advice on various issues. Based on the book series by author Susan Meddaugh.

Martha is blamed for ruining a birthday cake, though she proclaims her innocence; Martha and Helen discover a plot to rob a jewelry store, but their initial suspects turn out to be police officers.

Martha tries to be a hero, and she learns a lesson about true courage; Martha and Helen plan a camping trip, then hear a tale of a mythical monster that lives in the woods.

Martha visits a farm with her family. She tries to help with chores, but soon doubts her ability to be a farm dog. Also: Martha runs away from home after a fight with Helen and gets a job as a...telemarketer.

Martha loses the ability to speak after the soup company cuts down on the number of letters in each can of its product; Helen must train Skits to behave or he'll become an outdoor-only dog.

Martha accidentally gets involved in a robbery and she hides the evidence of her actions. Then the thieves try to recruit her for another job. Also: Martha investigates a dog-obedience school when she thinks the students turn out to be too perfect.

Martha sets out to become a firehouse dog, and she learns how difficult the job can be; when large pickles are discovered in town, Martha and her friends fear are aliens.

The family takes care of a neighbor's dog, but the pooch turns out to be a manipulative creature that gets Martha into trouble; and Martha wins a trip to an inn, which has a no-dogs policy.

Martha tries to persuade Granny Flo to advertise the soup company on a popular TV show to increase sales; a con artist tries to take Martha by posing as her long-lost owner from Poland.

Martha and Helen try to tame a nasty new dog in the neighborhood; and Martha is invited to a talent show, but the host has an ulterior motive for inviting her.

Martha has an idea for an adventure story, so Helen and her friends write it for her, adding their own input along the way. Also: Martha meets a TV star who isn't as courageous as she thought.

Helen gets laryngitis, so Martha tries to take care of her, but Martha's efforts cause havoc in their home; Truman looks forward to a whale-watching excursion but must overcome his fear of getting seasick.

Large pickles are discovered in town, which Martha and her friends fear are aliens.

Martha is upset when Alice and Helen make a fuss about a kitten; Alice can't believe Truman can dislike ice cream without ever having tasted it.

Martha's canine-human speech skills prove a big plus when she becomes a veterinary assistant, until she helps treat a puppy that speaks gibberish. Meanwhile, when Carolina starts a newspaper, TD tries to become an investigative reporter, but ends up a headline instead.

Alice is afraid to express an interest in ballet because of Ronald, who she thinks will tease her; Martha's attempt to become an agility dog flops.

To cheer up Helen, who's down in the dumps after not winning an art competition, her mother decides to bake her a cake. But when a flower order takes priority, Martha and Skits step in to finish the job. Then bath-hating Martha asks TD's father to create a perfume to hide her pungent doggy scent.

Caught without her collar, Martha is sent to an animal shelter, where she tries to escape. Her family comes to the shelter to take her home, but she doesn't want to leave her new friends behind.

Helen, Alice and TD are less than thrilled when Martha becomes a substitute teacher at their school; TD is distracted from writing a school report by a movie marathon.

Martha calls Helen for help when she's trapped in Pablum and Weaselgraft's hideout, and explains how Helen can find her by using her nose. Then Martha needs Helen's help when she again finds herself in Pablum and Weaselgraft's lair, but this time explains how to locate her by describing the sounds she hears.

Martha insults everyone she talks to until Truman intervenes, realizing that she's actually not in a foul mood but is saying the reverse of what she means.

Martha becomes the host of a TV show that's supposed to help people better understand their pets, but when no one tunes in, the producers change it to "Crime Scene Doggie." Then Martha and Skits fight over a new toy.

Professor Monkey's visit to a local bookstore to promote his craft book may be disrupted when the directions to the store wind up under Bob the dog's porch; Martha helps Truman find something he lost at Dog Head Lake.

Alice is afraid to express an interest in ballet because of Ronald, who she thinks will tease her.

Martha's canine-human speech skills prove a big plus when she becomes a veterinary assistant.

Martha's need for quiet during her naptime leads Helen and friends to build her a doghouse.

Martha joins TD and TD's dad in trying to stop a gopher from eating all of the crops at CK's farm.

Mom and Dad get stuck in the dressing room on opening night of a community-theater production.

Bob begins chasing Truman all over town, and eventually chases him, Helen, Alice, TD and others up a tree. Then on a super-hot day, Martha spins a yarn about Goldi-Martha, the Skits Hatter and Little Red Riding Helen to Jake in an attempt to distract the boy from the heat.

Martha spins a yarn about Goldi-Martha, the Skits Hatter and Little Red Riding Helen.