Melissa Fuller, gossip columnist of the fictional "New York Journal" is on the brink of losing her job.

This particular morning, she is 68 minutes late for work - making it her 37th late arrival so far this year.

Human Resources have given her another official warning, her boss seriously doubts her commitment to the paper and, more importantly, even her best friend has begun to worry about her psychological well being.

This time, however, Melissa has a real excuse. She has just saved her elderly neighbour from a near-fatal attack, taken her to hospital and in the process become sole custodian of Paco, her Great Dane - not the ideal accessory for a New York City girl.

Melissa urgently needs to trace her neighbour's only relative and when she finally meets him the real trouble starts.