Bob Dog's Cage

After the recent post about Episode 1076, Eric asked about the object on Bob Dog's head (which is actually a cage of sorts) in one of the screenshots so I thought I'd clarify and provide a few more details.

When Daniel Tiger and Bob Dog arrive at the castle for the folk dance, everyone seems happy to see them. Bob Dog, who is carrying the cage at the time, lets out a typical Bob Dog howl of joy. When he does, King Friday is startled and turns quickly towards Bob Dog. Recognizing the King's fear, Bob Dog immediately places the cage on his head.

King Friday: Who invited that dog to come?
Lady Aberlin: I invited that dog to come Uncle Friday.
King Friday: Well, if he promises not to bite...
Lady Aberlin: He bites only if someone scares him or is mean to him.
King Friday: Oh...well, then...carry on with the dances. Excuse the interruption everyone.

 

Moments later, as Bob Dog is dancing with the Junior Tamburitzans, the cage is removed and is passed among the dancers who place it on their own heads. Even back at the house, Mister Rogers is talking about the dancing and asks, "Didn't you like the way they were putting the cage on different people?"

 

Having not seen many of these early episodes in years, I don't know for sure if this cage was a regular thing for Bob Dog early on. Maybe others slightly fearing him was an early story line that was eventually dropped? I'd be curious to know more if anyone remembers anything else about this...