Emily Elizabeth tries to keep Clifford clean for the Dog of the Year contest, but his friends tempt him into a messy beach adventure that leaves him dirty just before the judge arrives. Despite the chaos, Clifford ends up guiding the ferry through thick fog and is ultimately named Dog of the Year—proving his heroism matters more than his grooming.

T-Bone remembers when Cleo was new to Birdwell Island.

Birdwell Island prepares for Founder's Day while Clifford and Cleo try to help T‑Bone overcome his fear of loud noises so he can enjoy the fireworks. Although T‑Bone still gets spooked, his friends stay with him at home, and he watches the fireworks comfortably with earmuffs, knowing they accept him just as he is.

T-Bone's Saturday morning doesn't go as planned when Sheriff Lewis gets called into work but learns that spending time with the people you love is more important.

When Charlie and Vaz talk about the baby seals at Seal Cove, Emily and Jetta plan to go there with their dogs. But at the last minute, Jetta is invited by fifth grader Jenny Wincole to go to Whoopy World at the same time, so Jetta backs out on Emily, who decides to go to Seal Cove with Clifford anyway. But then the tables are turned on Jetta when Jenny uninvites her and invites one of her fifth grade friends.

Jetta gets writer’s block and secretly reads Emily Elizabeth’s journal, mistakenly believing Emily won a trip to Hawaii and trying to act nice so she’ll be chosen as the one friend to go. When Emily discovers the snooping and explains it was only a wish list, Jetta learns an important lesson about respecting privacy and later apologizes with playful “Hawaii” photos she made at school.