The film stars Chevy Chase as a private investigator who is reincarnated as a dog to solve his own murder, and also features Jane Seymour and Omar Sharif.

The film was a box office disappointment, grossing roughly its production costs,[3] and earned negative reviews.

On a rainy day in London, private investigator Benjamin Browning accepts a ride from his friend, Freddie, who is a dangerous driver.

As he searches the residence, decorated with artwork, he discovers Patricia dead on the bedroom floor, bleeding from a knife wound.

Before Benjamin can enter heaven or hell, he must complete an assignment that requires him to return to life to solve his own murder.

Freddie directs him to Patricia's flat, where he wanders around, searching for clues, while Malcolm Bart, the man who pretended to be Quimby, watches from a closet.

Jackie interviews Quimby at Scotland Yard, who insists on access to her research, which he hopes will clear his name as a suspect.

Jackie is introduced to Alistair Becket (John Stride), an up-and-coming candidate for prime minister, who shows great interest in her book.

While the men talk with Jackie, a painting of the Swiss Alps hanging in Becket's office reminds Browning that Patricia vacationed there, and he suspects a connection.

Suddenly, Mr. Higgins appears, and temporarily switches the dog back to his human form to warn him that a mistake was made.

Browning sees a calendar entry on Bart's desk, noting Becket's birthday and a street address.

At Jackie's apartment, Browning rips open the envelope to find Patricia's pendant with the word "ALP" stamped on the back.

He deduces that Patricia became a political liability for the married Becket once he intended to run for prime minister, and she became engaged to his rival, Quimby.

After twelve years preparing Becket to become prime minister, Bart did not want Patricia to ruin their political ambitions.

"[4] Outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage from this film were used in making the short feature Benji at Work (1980), a 30-minute documentary about the career of Benjean as a dog actor.

Heavenly Dog was a "total miscalculation from beginning to end" and furthermore was the type of "smarmy" production Chase might have lampooned as a performer on Saturday Night Live.