Calvin Wheeler is a scheming 13-year-old boy who has everything, except for an original issue of a rare comic book. When his main rival Preston brags that he’s entered his dog Gigi in an upcoming dog show that has a $5000 first prize, Calvin becomes determined to beat Preston, win the prize money, and buy his beloved comic. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a dog and can’t afford to buy one. Calvin heads to the pound and adopts an uncouth stray named Tyco, who proves to be more than anybody can handle.