When the lumber mill closes, laying off most everyone in Fossett, Oregon, Melanie MacDonald plans to revitalize her beloved town by running her border collie, Shep, for mayor. Shep wins by a landslide. A lover of democracy and dog treats, he rapidly earns the goodwill of Fossett's citizens. Tourists are streaming in to glad-paw the new mayor. Suddenly Melanie and Shep are media darlings. But there's soon trouble in paradise. Hounded by the press and desperate to head off a potential dog-napping, Melanie unwittingly puts herself in danger. Shep comes to the rescue, at the risk of his own life . . . and political career.