Marmaduke's owner-man paid a minor to clear snow from his house's walkway, but at some point he or she was intercepted by Marmaduke and compelled (possibly by bribery or trickery, but almost certainly through threats of physical violence) to shovel a path in front of his doghouse. How Marmaduke (who is a dog and cannot speak) was able to communicate his wishes to the snow shoveller is beyond me.