After making her girlhood dreams of world travel and living by the sea come true, a retired librarian follows her grandfather's old advice of doing something to make the world more beautiful, and then passes that wisdom on to her grandniece.

In love with a fancy poodle, Bill the smelly dog is spurned by Peachy Snugglekins and her owner, Great Aunt Bleach, until Bill rescues Peach from a swamp.