November, 2020: fortysomething Fred, his partner Sophie, and his daughter Lou are looking for a little comfort to ease their COVID lockdown. They decide to adopt a dog, a young shiba inu named Tiki. But in less than a week, the adorable little furball has turned Fred's life upside down, upending certainties, relationships, personal equilibrium, like a dog charging into a game of skittles. Or like photographic developer fluid, for Tiki brings to light all the failings of everyone who crosses her path, leaving their lives in tatters.
With humor and honesty, this lightly veiled autobiographical fiction interrogates our feelings about adopting a pet, and how pivotal a choice it can be.