The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog...a St Bernard. Dr. Herman Varnick, the local vet, has a secret and horrible sideline which requires lots of dogs for experiments. Beethoven is on his list.—Rob Hartill