Sydney sympathizes with a young girl who is to go to college next year and reminds her of herself in that age, as does her father, Jim, with an old bulldog whose master just has died.
Darla is a blacklisted patient and when Syd shows her good will to help she's punched in the nose. Jim and Robbie take drastic methods in use to help a chimpanzee in trouble at the local zoo.
Syd asks a patient, Lilian Gerrish, to rest, but she says that's impossible as her husband claims to have a brain tumor. Jim goes out wearing an elegant tie and after shave.
Syd applies for work at the local hospital. Danielle tells Robbie that she has to leave her education. A blind woman's dog has trouble with his eyes. A slightly change of a recipe is a spice at Hannah's half year birthday.
A young stripper with back pain saves money for a breast reduction operation, and Syd offers to do it. Cynthia's dog has become lazy in breeding sessions and Joanie enters a cooking contest. Vince tempts Robbie continuously to bet.
Robbie is in a tough betting situation as Vince demands money paid quickly. Syd attracts more interest to her clinic than the hospital's chief fund raiser likes. Jim gets a new assistant, Heather, as Joaney joins the cooking school where she quickly gets a date.
David invites Syd to a hotel weekend in Boston. Lily is 16 and wants Syd to give her p-pills. Robbie takes over the early hours as his father's assistant. Brady is eager to put Mom's Clam Chowder on the national market. Chase Westlake's pig has not eaten a couple of days.
Syd offers Lilly a job at the clinic, but her new foster parents wants her to work in their shop. Robbie uses one of his father's client's dogs to earn easy money. Joanie gets a double-edged offer from Japanese business.
Dad takes a vacation to witness seals births, so he gives instructions to Robbie, who also baby-sits Hanna for 'businesswoman' Joanie, whose partner Brady Pullman just dumped his girl-friend. Lily announces she may switch job from her foster parents to Syd's clinic after all, in fact the Gurwyns caught her smoking and refuse to keep her, no alternative is available. Syd takes her in 'for a while', Joanie welcomes another babysitter, Robbie even offers his attic as he has found a 'bat cave' to house-sit...
Mark wants Lily to join him in a school dance. A local Mob boss has an old dog at Jim's clinic and his son romances Syd intensely. A young sports runner is training too much. Joanie happens to make terrific dog's food that inspires a new business project.
An iguana makes way for a special connection between Robbie and Heather, Jim helps Lily with a practical school project. Syd seems to be buried with gifts from her admirer. A landscaper has aching stomach and head. Brady is uncomfortable with Hannah.
Paul donates a new roof to Syd's clinic. An old friend, Nick from the DA, warns her against further involvement with Paul. Robbie suggests a local TV commercial for the Barkery. Jackie, 14, seeks help at Syd's clinic alone.
Kyle is back in town on a surprise visit, and Lily asks an old friend to leave her alone. Heather announces she's to leave her job as Jim's assistant, and he asks Robbie to talk her to stay.