Shelby is a down on his luck orphan beagle. Since he can remember, he's mostly lived in the pound with the other misfit dogs of the world and Doug the Dog Catcher. With Christmas day rapidly approaching, Shelby decides its high-time to break out and find a home. When opportunity presents itself Shelby grabs it with both paws. Ten-year-old Jake Parker has always wanted to be a Master Magician but he just can't seem to make the tricks work...every Christmas he writes to Santa and asks for a Dog to be his magical assistant and his friend. This Christmas Shelby and Jake's wishes come true but the Parker family are about to get a lot more than they bargained for!