As his brother prepares to leave the dog they share, Fred the greedy flea pretends to have the flu in order to stay behind and have the whole dog, unaware of the fate that awaits him.

"A basic introduction to fleas, examining where they live, how they grow, what they eat, and the unique traits that help to define them, such as their ability to jump great distances"--

Separated from his owner, Henry Huggins, in a shopping center parking lot, an ordinary city dog begins a string of bewildering adventures.