Eva Gregory (Thora Birch) is a 9 year old girl who longs for a pet she can call her own. However, her mother, Amy, (Mimi Rogers) does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather (Christopher McDonald) is allergic to fur. She cannot keep the pet at her fathers house due to him being a pilot and traveling a lot. One day, Dodger the monkey runs away after his drunken master, who is a thief, blames Dodger for the reason his wife left him along with their son. So Dodger, a capuchin monkey, runs away and meets Eva in the park. She names him Dodger. After going home, Eva finds out that keeping her monkey secret is trouble and only allows her brother Jack (who cannot speak), into her room with Dodger. While alone at her father's house, Eva makes money and goes to a grocery store to shop. She is later confronted by a cashier (who gets suspicious of Eva's backpack), Eva discovers that Dodger has stolen food and puts the food back. On her return home, she discovers he has also stolen golden jewelry and wallets. So she teaches him not to steal. Dodger's master, (who has been looking for him all this time), kidnaps him at a pet shop where Eva had kept Dodger while she was at school. He discovers that Dodger does not steal anymore. Angry, he confronts Eva while Eva's mother Amy, her stepfather, father and police look for Eva. Dodger saves her and his master is arrested. Dodger's master's son (whom Dodger actually belongs to), tries taking him back but fails. Dodger ends up living with Eva. (after showing her mother she was responsible and her stepfather gets over his allergies.)