Howl

Twelve-year-old Robin will never get over her mother's death--ever. Nor will she forgive her father for moving the family to a small resort town to live with a weird grandmother--Griff. Deciding it's all too much, Robin is determined not to care about anyone or anything. When her pregnant dog plunges through the frozen lake, she breaks down and implores Griff to help. The two edge out onto the ice and save the dog, which shortly thereafter gives birth to twelve puppies. Robin experiences deep comfort from the puppies and finds she can no longer stop herself from caring. She then rescues other animals, which she rehabilitates in the barn. Robin's veterinarian father becomes worried because they aren't licensed to run a wild animal shelter. The class bully snitches, Robin's dad is fired from the local veterinarian's office, and the sheriff comes to close the shelter. Robin mounts a campaign to save the shelter.