Two dogs who share a home, Homer (a yellow lab) and Milo (a dachshund/lab/beagle mutt), wake up with thoughts of a beautiful upcoming day and are joined by Alph and a Pack of Dogs (Great Day). As Homer and Milo go have breakfast, Alph introduces himself and the Pack of Dogs and speaks to various aspects of dog culture (with the Pack of Dogs chiming in; such talks [on various topics] are interspersed throughout the show). Homer returns and speaks about his fondness of his yard (My Yard). Milo returns and the two play a quick game together involving a blindfold. After the game, Milo gets a bit cranky about being cooped up in the yard; suddenly he picks up a scent (Something in the Air) and is compelled to leave despite having to go through the pain-inducing “invisible fence” that surrounds the yard.
Milo is on the street and on the run trying to evade a very persistent police officer; he is also very hungry (Putrid Sandwich). Meanwhile, Homer is back in his yard looking at clouds and barking at some dogs making noise next door. Milo, after moving on and finding himself in a different and dark neighborhood, follows a new scent (Something in the Air reprise).
Homer is in his yard when he is startled by a nearby crashing sound (A Little A Bit). Baby, a wandering greyhound, listens to Homer’s lament about his fears and confronts him about his phobias (Laughing). Homer speaks of the love for his yard (and his incredible fear of leaving it) and Baby speaks of her love for the open road (with tales of woe about the greyhound dog racing scene). At one point, they each ponder taking on the persona of the other (Gotta Go), but realize this is impossible. After an argument, they go their separate ways (Homer staying in the yard and Baby hitting the road).
Fritzi, an elegant Russian wolfhound (and retired show dog), is in her fabulous yard and muses over her enviable life style (Lucky Me). Milo strolls into the yard and is very impressed by the fancy surroundings. Thinking he is alone, he contemplates his never-ending need to roam (You Know What I Mean). Fritzi, listening in, challenges Milo on his lack of class. Milo defensively counters as the two dogs realize they are very different types indeed (Breeds Apart). After insulting each other some more, Milo travels on and Fritzi prepares for another pampered day at her home.
Homer, Baby, Milo, and Fritzi, (with commentary by Alph and a visual assist from the Pack of Dogs), relate how they could have acted better when bumping into their counterparts (I Blew It). They are all very confused about what happened and what will happen next.
ACT II
The second act begins in Fritzi’s yard. Following a short talk on the dog show world by Alph (and the Pack of Dogs), Fritzi is nostalgic for her previous dog show career (Old Show Days). Having returned, Milo is listening in from the side lines and they talk about starting over. They tell each other a bonding story (Tales to Tell). Milo’s funny stories cause Fritzi to be in pain from laughing.
Baby wanders back to Homer’s yard (where Homer is taking a nap) and Alph (again with the Pack of Dogs) delivers a short talk on the history of dog racing. Baby is wistful about the past and thinks about how she can’t seem to settle down (Running Around). Homer awakes and the two share stories about their pasts with Baby continuing to get upset about dark events. Homer offers up a few lessons in dancing as an alternative to running (Doggie Style).
Meanwhile, Milo can’t help himself from being comical which continues to cause Fritzi more acute pain; Fritzi begs Milo to hold the humor. Milo says he is willing to oblige her, but as Fritzi leaves to retrieve some personal memorabilia, Milo picks up a new scent and is off in a new direction (Something in the Air reprise). Discovering he is gone, Fritzi is determined to track him down.
Baby and Homer have been dancing up a storm. Homer is nervous about doing the tango, but is willing to continue; Baby blindfolds him for dramatic effect (Dog Tango as sung by Alph and the Pack of Dogs). During the course of the dance, Baby tangoes Homer out of the yard. When the blindfold comes off at the end of the dance, Homer is absolutely terrified. Baby reassures Homer that everything will be okay and that he is missing a whole lot of living by not leaving his yard (Beautiful World). Homer is won over and they adventure off together.
Milo finds himself in a dark and scary neighborhood and feels his life might be over given his lack of self-control (I’m Sorry); he eventually falls asleep in a nasty alleyway. Fritzi tracks Milo down and, as he sleeps, thinks aloud about how difficult life can sometimes be (Little Blue Dog). Milo awakens and is overjoyed to see Fritzi. Overcome by his joie de vivre, Milo dashes into traffic to the sound of multiple car crashes. Fritzi is devastated.
It’s the next morning and Homer and Baby wake up next to each other, tend to some early business, and go back to sleep. Alph (with the Pack of Dogs) delivers some heartfelt words. Homer and Baby (finally fully woken up) talk about the previous day’s adventures. Milo and Fritzi wander in (with Milo heavily bandaged up after obviously getting hit by a car). Introductions are made around and secrets are revealed. Alph and the Pack of Dogs join in and the entire cast looks forward to another auspicious day (Great Day reprise).
Homer is an affable, yellow, Labrador Retriever. He loves his yard and is terrified of the world outside. He gets great pleasure from finding pictures in the clouds and loves to dance.
Milo is a comical, Labrador/dachshund/beagle mutt and Homer’s housemate. He cares deeply for Homer but gets bored just hanging around in the yard and once in a while needs to strike out on his own. He is a jokester and always a bit frisky.
Alph is a street-smart tough dog and is obviously very learned on the world of dogdom. He occasionally fills in as a commentator of the storyline.
The Pack of Dogs is a quartet of beta dogs who appear as Alph’s sidekicks and sometimes act out elements of Alph’s talks. They are very physical and occasionally bring some visuals to Alph’s commentary. They are not above picking up an instrument and playing along with the band and get a big chance to sing in Scene 11.
Baby is a tough, rescued, greyhound racer with a painful past. While she puts up a good front, she occasionally cracks and shows her softer side. She is a wanderer and seeks adventure.
Fritzi is a pampered, Russian Wolfhound and retired show dog. She is a bit of a snob at first, but is good-hearted; she misses “the old days” and wonders what life has in store for her. Given the regal nature of her breed, she feels physical pain when she laughs.