Growlie (Japanese: ガーちゃんGar-chan) is a Growlithe that was owned by a younger James and his first Pokémon. Eventually, James ran away from home, leaving behind his beloved Growlithe.
History
Pre-series
Growlie as a puppy
As a child, Growlie was James's only friend at his parents' estate. The two were inseparable, and Growlie often comforted James whenever he had problems, especially with his parents and arranged fiancée, Jessebelle. During a meeting where James intended to confess his feelings to Jessebelle, she interrupted him to tell him they were already set to be married. She demanded he replace Growlie with a Skitty, as she didn't like the Puppy Pokémon. This was a dealbreaker, and James broke off the engagement and had Growlie bury his love confession so no one would ever find it.
When the stresses of home became too much, James ran away, leaving Growlie behind at the mansion. Growlie lives in an extravagant doghouse, which was so large that Ash and his friends mistook it for being the family's actual mansion. Misty even commented, to her later embarrassment, that it was the largest mansion she had ever seen.
Years later, in Holy Matrimony!, James returned to his parents' home after hearing that they had died. However, this turned out to be a hoax, designed to trick James into marrying Jessebelle. After the deception was revealed, Jessebelle trapped James in the family's dungeon. Ash, his friends, Jessie, and Meowth released Growlie from his doghouse, allowing Growlie to burst into the dungeon and rescue its long-lost master. The two were thrilled to see each other, but their reunion was cut short by Jessebelle, who subsequently attacked with her Vileplume. After defeating the Vileplume and temporarily chasing Jessebelle off the estate, James once again left home, thereby giving up his inheritance and continuing to live with Jessie and Meowth. Before he left, he told Growlie to stay behind and watch after his parents, which greatly saddened the Puppy Pokémon.
In The Treasure Is All Mine!, Growlie was revealed to be visiting one of the Sinnoh vacation homes owned by James's parents for the day. It inadvertently blew Team Rocket's cover, as it sniffed out the trio while they were infiltrating the home; Growlie, elated to see its master once again, pounced on the group. Growlie proceeded to once again help James evade his ever-pursuing family, and later battled against the chest holding James's love confession that they buried years ago. After dealing enough damage, the chest turned into a tiny rocket and flew away. James was then blasted off by Ash's Pikachu to escape his family and bid Growlie farewell once more.
Personality and characteristics
Like many of James's Pokémon, Growlie has a great relationship with its master. Growlie is extremely loyal to James, and it cares deeply for him. Likewise, James cares deeply for Growlie, stating it is his only real friend on the estate. James also stood up for Growlie when Jessebelle told him to get rid of the Puppy Pokémon, one of the few moments James refused to go along with something during his childhood. Growlie is the only member of James's family and staff, aside from Nanny and Pop-Pop, that has never been seen trying to force him to marry Jessebelle, and thus one of the few he can still trust. It has been shown to be a strong fighter and a useful Pokémon, despite its few appearances throughout the series.
A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.
Trivia
Not including temporary Pokémon, Growlie is the first Pokémon owned by a main character to have a nickname.
Growlie is also the only Pokémon owned by Team Rocket to be nicknamed.
Growlie is loosely based upon or possibly inspired by the classic character of Petrasche in English author Marie Louise de la Ramée's 1872 novel, A Dog of Flanders.
Excluding temporary Pokémon, Growlie is the only Fire-type Pokémon owned by either Jessie or James.
Growlie is the only Pokémon owned by Team Rocket to never have been in its Trainer's active party.
