Tropes seen in this epi ... hey, Alvin ... Alvin ... AAAAALLLLLLVVVVVVIIIIINNNNNNN!
Death by Newbery Medal: The episode revolves around the chipmunks and Dave adopting a kitten. Then one night, the kitten gets out through a window and is killed by a car, leaving the chipmunks to come to terms with his death.
Female Feline, Male Mutt: Inverted. Cookie Chomper III is a male kitten, and the puppy Dave and the Chipmunks adopt at the end is a female dog named Lilly. The Chipmunks even initially think Lilly is a male puppy until Dave corrects them.
Five Stages of Grief: Each of the Chipmunks mourn the death of their beloved kitten, Cookie, in their own way. Theodore denies that something happened to Cookie and asks when he'll be back, Alvin is very angry at himself for leaving the window open (to let Cookie get outside), and Simon goes into a deep depression. David helps the boys work through their grief and eventually get to Stage 5: Acceptance.
I Let Gwen Stacy Die and It's All My Fault: The boys, figuring they didn't do that one thing – close a window – that would have stopped Cookie from going outside and wandering into the street (where he was hit by the car).
The motorist, who tells David he is deeply sorry when he accidentally hits Cookie with his car, noting he tried to stop but couldn't in time.
Alvin, Simon and Theodore, each blaming themselves for Cookie's death.
Really Dead Montage: A montage of the Chipmunks, playing with Cookie and other happy memories, plays over a somber song -– "Beautiful Memories" -– performed by the 'munks.
