Shiloh is a name that works well foreither a boy or a girl. The children’s novel published in 1991, Shiloh,written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is about a young boy, MartyPreston, who finds an abused Beagle. He discovers that the Beagle is owned byhis neighbor, Judd Travers. Young Marty steals the dog, which he names Shiloh,and hides him from Judd. To keep his theft of the dog secret, Marty comes upwith a web of lies that is close to backfiring on him. Judd soon discovers whostole his dog and takes Shiloh back. Marty then seesJudd deer hunting out of season and uses this information to blackmail Juddinto selling Shiloh to him. Since Marty does not haveany money, he works for Judd doing odd jobs.
Naylor’s novel was turned into a movie by the same namereleased in 1997. In the movie, we see Marty Preston valiantly fighting to keepan abused Beagle. This dog does not have a name and Marty decides to name him Shiloh.Marty tries to keep Shiloh hidden, but Marty’s dad, Ray,discovers the dog and demands that Marty return the dog to his rightful owner,Judd Travers. Judd is a hunter and sees nothing wrong with abusing Shilohbecause Shiloh is not the great hunter he had hoped. Shilohis the lowest dog within Judd’s pack of hunting dogs. After Judd abuses Shilohagain, Shiloh finds his way back to Marty. Marty hides Shilohin a shed but a German Shepherd Dog attacks Shiloh andhurts him severely. Marty must ask his dad for help in taking care of theinjured Shiloh.
After Ray and Marty take Shiloh tothe veterinarian, Ray tells Marty that Shiloh can stayonly until he heals from his wounds. Ray seems to soften towards Shilohbut as soon as the dog has healed enough to return to Judd, he tells Marty totake him back. Marty begs his dad to keep Shiloh becauseJudd abuses him but he ultimately has to return Shiloh.Marty makes a deal with Judd to do odd jobs to pay for Shiloh.After doing several hours of work for Judd, Marty finds out that Judd has nointention of giving him Shiloh. Ray becomes involved andfights with Judd over the deal made with Marty. Eventually, Shilohcomes to stay with Marty. Judd then tries to kidnap Shilohand Ray again fights with Judd. Judd grabs Shiloh anddrives away. However, he has a change of heart and lets Shilohout of the truck to go back to Marty and Ray.
