Teenager Josh (Kevin Zegers) just became the legal owner of his basketball-playing dog, Buddy. But now Buddy is playing football, too, thanks to veterinarian Patrick Sullivan (Gregory Harrison), who happens to be the new boyfriend of Josh's mom. Unfortunately, Josh and Patrick don't get along too well. But, when a couple of Russians (Nora Dunn, Perry Anzilotti) see Buddy playing on TV and decide to kidnap him for their circus, the two must band together to find the dog and save him.