Yes the dog was the star of the movie, or at least the best part. The kid wasn't bad either.

Actually the leads were OK too with a couple of exceptions. The animosity went on a little too long and Ben's meanness with the shoes was uncalled for and out of place. Then as happens way too often in these movies, characters do a reversal of feelings almost instantly with very little explanation for the change. The ending was generally what you'd expect but there wasn't enough relationship established to justify it. But that's what you get in a TV movie especially when time is spent on other characters like the dog and Caitlin.

There's really no big highs or lows and the only real problem or conflict popped up out of nowhere and was quickly resolved.

Single mom (Candace Cameron Bure) gets her lonely daughter (Katie L. Hawkins) a shelter dog. The little girl and the pooch become fast friends. But -- uh oh -- turns out the dog already has an owner (Victor Webster). He shows up wanting his dog back. Of course he can't bring himself to tear the dog away from the little girl, so he agrees to "share custody" with her. Gradually he and the pretty mom get close and, wouldn't you know it, fall in love.

Candace Cameron Bure, the reigning queen of made-for-TV movies, is likable and lovely as ever in this (despite an unfortunate haircut). Her chemistry with costar Victor Webster is nice. For his part, Webster is charming and handsome. All too often these made-for-TV flicks fail because the male lead is dull as ditchwater. Katie L. Hawkins is adorable and easy to sympathize with. I see no credit on IMDb listing his real name but the dog did a great job. Hallmark movies don't strain your brain but that's what we love about them. This is a simple love story with a little drama that you know ahead of time will be very predictable. But movies like this are for people who like happy endings and don't want to take chances on whatever messed-up stuff Hollywood calls romance these days.