Josh Baker is the youngest rambunctious but loving Baker family who live in a sunny beachside California suburb. He is teased:by his brother John and his sisters,

Erica and Lisa, misunderstood by his parents Andrea (Dana Plato - T.V.'s Different "Exorcist Il") and Rick (Miles O'Keefe-"Pocahontas, The Legend") and taunted by bullies Benjamin and Trevor. On top of it all, he has to get glasses. He dreams of having a true friend of his own. He wants a pet dog his father won't allow it.

But a boy's dream can be more real than any fantasy. While playing one day, Josh finds a young puppy who has been separated from its family. Josh adopts the dog and names him "Tiger." His parents object, but the kids want him too much for them to say no.

Although Tiger doesn't fetch or sit up, he does what no other dog can -- he talks to Josh! At a backyard birthday party Josh tells his friend, the flirtatious Morgan, about Tiger's speaking abilities. But she tells everyone and now the whole neighborhood thinks Josh is kooky.

Despite John's advice to keep quiet about it, Josh tells Trevor and Benjamin about Tiger's talking. They think Josh is crazy and try to pick a fight with the brothers. Instead, Josh challenges them to an inline hockey game. despite Josh's small size, Josh and John win and the bullies vow vengeance.

The next day at the park the family is playing and Tiger mysteriously disappears. Josh is heartbroken and the family search for the but with no luck. Josh uses his imagination and thinks he can hear Tiger calling out to him crying for help. Josh and John travel to a forgotten tunnel underneath the freeway. Suddenly Trevor and Benjamin ride out of the tunnel on their bikes, with Tiger kidnapped in a box. Josh must use all his power to get his best friend Tiger back.

A boy's dream has become the adventure of a lifetime.