In an ordinary city, on an ordinary street, little Debbie Lou has a special pet who lives in the basement of her family's home. Some ordinary families have pets like dogs and cats and maybe exotic fish, but Ralph is anything but ordinary. For dinner, he eats macaroni along with a dill pickle and a peanut butter sandwich with a little slice of cheese.

Normally, Ralph is a sweet little creature who causes no harm. One day, he gets into trouble and Debbie Lou's parents threaten to put Ralph in a cage. Poor Ralph doesn't like that idea and tries to run away from home. But during his...