Overview: Bright and independent 12-year-old Summer Larsen rescues a sweet, stray dog and will stop at nothing to save him. And it's her determination that ultimately impacts those around her.

DVD Verdict: The film begins with an old man taking his dog for a little walk. However, the man has what appears to be a heart attack and the dog is left without an owner. This is about as sad as the film gets and I think little ones can do okay with this very brief, and not especially traumatic scene because of the way it was handled.

Not exactly what you want to see at the start of any "family friendly" movie, I'll grant you, but things start to even themselves out a little more when a divorced father, Jeff Larsen (Todd Terry) is given an unusual job by his boss. It seems that he is to move into a local neighborhood as his company's liaison to the neighborhood association.

Jeff has a daughter named Summer (Belle Shouse), but both our leads run into a very un-neighborly Mrs. Tupperworth the very day they move into their new home. Played in fine "fighting" form by Juli Erickson, it seems that Mrs. Tupperworth doesn't want Summer outside with her lemonade stand! While there are no rules against it, Tupperworth has spoken!! And, to keep the nasty old lady happy, her father has her move the stand elsewhere. However, this naturally is NOT the end of their problems with Mrs. Tupperworth as she is a constant in their lives thereafter.

Along for the cinematic ride are several new friends, ones that a pretty, but shy lady named Jessica (Liz Franke), a nice motorcycle dude named Cole (Mark Hanson) and an unpopular, but nice little boy, Lanny (Aidan Langford). But where, i hear you ask, is that dog from the beginning of the movie?! Well, fret not, as that very same canine, named Shadow, then wanders into Summer's life also. But, yup, you guessed it, her dad doesn't want a dog in their lives! Why? Because the two of them are always on the move with his job and naturally this is taking its toll on Summer.

So, what's to become of all these folks, and Shadow also? Well, buy or rent this wonderful, truly delightful for all the right reasons movie today and find out how it all pans out for our characters - it will be worth your time, trust me. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1:85.1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

DVD Purchase Link