 Based on the real-life account of Greyfriars Bobby, who remained by his master s grave for fourteen years until his own death. In this takeoff, Lassie as a pup is dumped and then adopted by sheepherder John Grey, who trains her as a working dog. Murdered in the streets of Edinburgh by muggers, Grey is buried in the city churchyard and Lassie won t leave. City law forbids dogs in cemeteries; also, due to legal convolutions of the times, Lassie technically never had a legal owner and must be put to death if none appears. The foolish laws are challenged by church fathers and others sympathetic to the dog s plight. Lovely scenery of the Scottish hill country.