When life gives you O.J.

For years, ten-year-old Zelly has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog, but when her eccentric grandfather, Ace, hatches a plan involving a "practice dog" named O.J., Zelly is not sure how far she's willing to go to win a dog of her own. Zelly Fried wants a dog more than anything, so at the urging of her grandfather, during the summer before sixth grade she takes care of a "practice dog" made out of an orange juice jug to show her parents that she is ready for the responsibility, even though she is sometimes not entirely sure about the idea.