Lyle may look like an ordinary dog to some people, but not to the little girl who loves him. She sees all the things that make him special: the way he gets "surprised" by skunks, eats grass to make himself sick when he has a tummyache, and drinks out of the toilet bowl when he's thirsty. By the time the list of Lyle's "unique" talents is complete, readers will agree that he's a very special dog.