Clair Taylor's neighbors are whippoorwills, the kind of people who don't mind filling their property with rusted car parts and broken furniture. When the neighbors add a sweet black dog named Wally to the junk pile, all chained up, Clair cannot look the other way. Surprisingly, neither can Danny Stewart, a boy whose family is dark with violence. Clair and Danny take it upon themselves to save Wally, and give everyone a second chance.