4 Fun Facts About 'I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown'

The holiday specials are continuing to air on television in the lead-up to Christmas, and ABC will be continuing that tradition with a special airing of "I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown," tonight at 8 p.m. EST.

The special is one of the newer ones featuring characters from the Peanuts franchise, but is still a classic because of the theme. This story, which follows Lucy and Linus' younger brother Rerun in his quest to get a dog, is also still a great story, one that brings some fun information to fans that previously wasn't available.

Here are 4 fun facts about the special before it airs:

The Special Is Transcribed Entirely From The Comic Strips

This particular special, like the others that came after comic Charles Schulz died in 2000, combines elements of a few different comic strips for the whole story, but the whole thing is transcribed entirely from the strips, with no additional dialogue added in.

It's One Of The Rare Times We Meet Snoopy's Siblings

To try and help Rerun with his request, Charlie Brown and Snoopy write to his brother Spike in California, to see if he will come be with Rerun. Spike agrees, though he quickly winds up being taken by Lucy to be fed, before it becomes clear that their mother still won't let Rerun keep the dog. After Charlie Brown unsuccessfully finds Spike a home in town, he heads back to California.

Snoopy's siblings had previously been alluded to in the show, but only seen in 1991's "Snoopy's Reunion." This was the second time that his brothers Spike, Marbles, Olaf and Andy were mentioned.

The Special Has A 'Break The Fourth Wall" Ending

This particular special has an ending that seems to poke fun at the series' continued ability to live on decades after it's debut, with Charlie Brown addressing those watching it partway through to ask "when does it all end?" He winds up answering his own question.

Some Lines Are Recylced And Given To New Characters

While the dialogue is all from the comic strips, some lines are repurposed to suit the story. For example, Linus' line about "Sisters being the crabgrass on the lawn of life" is a line that was originally said by Snoopy in the strips, and was used to reference his opinion on cats.

Catch "I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown," tonight at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.