Dog Names Meaning Gift of God

Shiloh is a name that works well for either a boy or a girl. The children’s novel published in 1991, Shiloh, written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is about a young boy, Marty Preston, who finds an abused Beagle. He discovers that the Beagle is owned by his 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 up with a web of lies that is close to backfiring on him. Judd soon discovers who stole his dog and takes Shiloh back. Marty then sees Judd deer hunting out of season and uses this information to blackmail Judd into selling Shiloh to him. Since Marty does not have any money, he works for Judd doing odd jobs.

Naylor’s novel was turned into a movie by the same name released in 1997. In the movie, we see Marty Preston valiantly fighting to keep an 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 Shiloh because Shiloh is not the great hunter he had hoped. Shiloh is the lowest dog within Judd’s pack of hunting dogs. After Judd abuses Shiloh again, Shiloh finds his way back to Marty. Marty hides Shiloh in a shed but a German Shepherd Dog attacks Shiloh and hurts him severely. Marty must ask his dad for help in taking care of the injured Shiloh.

After Ray and Marty take Shiloh to the veterinarian, Ray tells Marty that Shiloh can stay only until he heals from his wounds. Ray seems to soften towards Shiloh but as soon as the dog has healed enough to return to Judd, he tells Marty to take him back. Marty begs his dad to keep Shiloh because Judd 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 no intention of giving him Shiloh. Ray becomes involved and fights with Judd over the deal made with Marty. Eventually, Shiloh comes to stay with Marty. Judd then tries to kidnap Shiloh and Ray again fights with Judd. Judd grabs Shiloh and drives away. However, he has a change of heart and lets Shiloh out of the truck to go back to Marty and Ray.