When Tig Hensley, heiress to the famed Pittsburgh McCarthy oil fortune and local journalist, is assigned to cover the second largest dog show in the world, she is hesitant. She not only prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but also has a deep-rooted fear of dogs after being bitten as a child and sheltered from them in the aftermath. Her boss offers an alternative project but Tig declines. She has no desire to travel south and cover a snake handling festival instead! Tig learns as much as she can about the US Kennel Extravaganza that is to take place in Pittsburgh over the next four days, discovering that the ultimate prize is a priceless sculpture from local legend, Winston Marshall, whose pieces are coveted the world over. Her yawn-worthy assignment explodes when the sculpture is stolen and one of the major competitors is poisoned in the middle of show week. Befriended by a matriarch of canine sport, Millicent Bradford, and handsome handler, Zane Guittiamo, Tig is thrown into a world of mystery and mayhem, with envy playing the primary role.