Sal and Rae are two young sisters who live in a Catholic orphanage. After watching many of their friends get adopted, they wonder if they’ll ever get the chance to have a family of their very own. They’ve never known what it’s like to have a mom and a dad – their mom was single before she died, and the idea of having two parents seems a little odd. But when the Tomleys adopt the girls, they begin to learn what it means to have both mother and father.
There’s just one secret they are keeping – they found a Great Dane puppy and have been hiding it. They managed to sneak it past the nuns at the orphanage, but keeping it a secret in their Manhattan apartment turns into a bigger challenge. Their building has a strict “no dogs allowed” rule, and besides which, the dad is allergic to dander. The girls are afraid that their new parents won’t want them if they have a dog. So they use tricks, cons and wiles to keep the puppy, named Chestnut, hidden.
Meanwhile, a duo of burglars has been breaking into apartments in Manhattan. They try to get into the Tomley’s house, but Chestnut scares them off.
Now, keep in mind that he is a Great Dane, and we all know how big those things can get! Soon the girls have to enlist the help of the housekeeper, Rosa Maria, to help them out. She speaks very little English, and so she can’t spill the beans. Together they have a lot of fun sneaking Chestnut out to the park. But one day, Chestnut gets loose, and dashes into the lobby reception hall, where he ruins the wedding of the landlord’s niece.
The landlord gives the family one night to either get rid of the dog or look for a new home. Even though the dad has been sneezing his head off for months, he decides he can live with it – the girls are so attached to the dog. But before Sal hears the verdict, she runs away, taking Chestnut with her.
After an exhaustive search, she is found, but only after sending Chestnut off to make his own way. That smart dog decides he’s going to undertake some sleuthing. When he sees the two robbers try once again to sneak into the building, he sabotages their attempts and ends up saving the life of the landlord.
This was a cute movie. Family-oriented all the way, it’s one you and your children can all enjoy together. The only thing I didn’t like – at the beginning, Sal darts in front of a semi to rescue Chestnut, who is standing in the road. You will want to emphasize with your children that we don’t run out in front of large trucks.
This film was rated G.
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