The first in this series for young animal lovers introduces a girl who is devoted to helping all her fellow creatures Nine-year-old Cassie Bannerman loves animals, especially her dog Ripper, who is always by her side. She lives close to the local RSPCA shelter, and she knows everyone and everything that's going on in her local neighborhood. When Ben Stoppard moves into Abbotts Hill with his English sheepdog, Florence, Cassie is determined to befriend them both. The four of them take part in the RSPCA fundraiser, The Million Paws Walk, and team up together to help round up a naughty runaway pup.