A heartbroken girl and her two brothers wind up on a collision course with an equally motivated dog officer to collect a reward for a lost show dog.

Semi-Finalist Screencraft's 2017 Family-Friendly Screenplay Contest

SYNOPSIS:

Eleven-year old CAMI MCGREEVY grieves over the recent death of her mother who served as Chairwoman of the town's 4th of July Parade. Cami vows to finish the family float along with her two brothers, PATRICK AND SEAN, however, sparse funds deter them from the task. On his way to work, dad JIM, spots a poster of a lost show dog (PUFFLES) offering a $3,000 reward. He challenges the kids to make finding the dog their mission—furthermore, the cash would come in handy to finalize their project. After a meeting with the dog's ill-informed elderly owner (BEVERLY BELLOWS), the kids, walkie-talkies coordinated, investigate leads with dogged determination.

However, they are unaware of the battle ahead with an equally motivated dog officer (FERN RASMUSSEN). To complicate matters, a SHADY COUPLE IN A BLACK CADILLAC aware of Puffle's pedigree is also on the prowl and will stop at nothing to attain the desirable dog. All the while, neighbor PENNY, a capricious but lonely child uses the heights attained on her swing-set to canvass the surrounding streets and leads Cami to a Puffles sighting at the quaint cottage of GERI (35). Her abundant flower garden and kind demeaner reminds Cami of her mom and they form a bond. However, their attempts to bait the pooch with Geri's home-made stew falls futile.

A series of Puffle's wild jaunts keep the kids engaged. If he's not crashing through a ball bin at a McDonald's playroom, the wily pup is trouncing through a water park or hanging with chickens in the old Carver Street barn. A lead of an old fisherman complaining of a dog trying to steal his fish turns out to be a dud as well. All the while, Fern stays tight behind but the sharp pup eludes them all.

With the parade fast approaching, funds still anemic, and Puffles uncatchable, the kids hang up their hats. IDEA! Patrick tracks down surveillance video to observe the dog's pattern of activity. They're shocked to see the dog meandering through the town accepting treats and purposely passing by his own house. Does Puffles even want to go home?

Finally! A text to Cami – Puffles is hiding in Geri's flower bed! But Fern is at the scene and nabs the dog. Her victory celebration ends prematurely when Cami shows up on her scooter frightening Puffles straight into her arms. Cami collects the reward! With a generous offer of flowers from Geri's garden, plus the newfound cash, the McGreevy kids build their float. A furious Fern convinces Beverly and the now-famous Puffles to attend the parade with one more chance to claim the dog.

It's parade day! Mayhem ensues when the float's brakes give way wreaking havoc on the route. Fern FINALLY nabs her prize! But Penny, from atop her swing on the float, spies a harried Fern handing the dog over to the villainous couple. Cami not only rescues Puffles but discovers incriminating evidence that puts the diabolical Fern away once and for all.