Fully orphaned now, Lydia follows the plan her mother made with her. She uproots to rural Connecticut to live with her last of kin. Aunt Brat; her jovial wife, Eileen; and their ancient live-in landlord, Elloroy, welcome Lydia. Only days after her arrival the women adopt a big yellow dog. Lydia is not a dog person and this one is trouble! He pees in the house, escapes into the woods, and barks at things unseen. His new owners begin to guess about his unknown past.