On each of the first three days of school, Stella is late because of a wounded or sick animal, and her teacher is not at all pleased. But Stella must find the time to help a wounded turtle, a gravely ill cat, and a golden retriever that's been hit by a truck. What's more, she's beginning to realize that somebody needs to do something about the bend in the road where the dog was injured: It's unsafe for animals, and maybe for people, too. Stella, her friends, and her veterinarian aunt, Anya, save the animals in Gateway, Montana, in one exciting new adventure after another.