MARTHA CALLING

Martha, a dog, takes command of the human language after eating a bowl of alphabet soup. But she still gets no respect -- the diner bars her entry, the butcher throws her out of his shop. It isn't long before Martha discovers the joys of the telephone: gabbing with her pals, ordering take-out, even winning a call-in radio contest, a weekend for four at the Come-On-Inn. Here again she meets the ugly face of discrimination -- the hotel's no-dogs policy. Regardless, her family smuggles her in, but the ruse is quickly discovered when a chambermaid finds Martha snoozing after downing 20 pounds of steak ordered from room service. About to get the bum's rush, Martha starts to lecture the assembled, reminding them of the 10,000 years of loyalty from her species. All for what? A kennel while everyone else enjoys the ""family"" vacation. Consciences are pricked, policies are righted, and Martha goes on gabbing. Meddaugh's (The Witches' Supermarket, 1991, etc.) humor is as bright as her artwork. Rarely do sequels have such zip.