Max, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does not want to be left at home and convinces his friends Joey and Tom to take him with them to the Bronx Zoo. The two brothers manage to sneak him in by concealing him in a large backpack. Once inside the zoo, Max gets busted by security, escapes, gets lost, and spends the rest of the day looking for his friends. The afternoon is full of mixed drama, surprising encounters and twists and turns, as he navigates his a way within the zoo landscape. The zoo adventure is a testimony to his bravery, as he charts unfamiliar territory by himself. This solitary experience allows him to overcome his fear of being alone, and when he is reunited with his friends he appreciates their friendship even more. means to him.