Shiloh is written in the first person point of view, revealing the thoughts and feelings of the determined and compassionate protagonist, Marty Preston. The novel begins when a young beagle follows 11-year-old Marty as he takes a walk up in the hills on the road past the old Shiloh schoolhouse near Friendly, West Virginia. Because the dog is "slinking down, . . . tail between his legs like he's hardly got the right to breathe" and backing off and cringing when Marty puts out his hand, he is sure the dog's owner is abusing him. Marty feels protective of the dog, and names him Shiloh.
Marty's father thinks the dog belongs to Judd Travers, who recently got another hunting dog. Marty doesn't like Judd or trust him. Marty saw Judd cheat Mr. Wallace in the corner store, Marty knows that Judd kills deer out of season, and he hates that Judd chews tobacco and tries to spit it close to people he doesn't like. When Marty's father takes him to Judd's trailer to return Shiloh, Marty sees Judd kick Shiloh and pleads with Judd to stop kicking the dog.
Marty can't stop thinking about Shiloh. He decides that he has to buy Shiloh from Judd. Unfortunately, there aren't very many jobs in Friendly for a boy his age. Marty starts collecting cans and bottles to try to make some money, but realizes it will take him forever to raise enough money to buy Shiloh. He also thinks about what he will feed Shiloh. Because his family is sending money to help care for his Grandma Preston, the family doesn't have any extra money to spend on dog food.
Before long, Shiloh runs away from Judd again and ends up at Marty's house. This time, Marty hides Shiloh in a makeshift pen just off the path that leads up the hill behind his house. He makes sure Shiloh has water and protection from the weather. Marty becomes attached to Shiloh as he continues to care for him — taking Shiloh on long walks, playing with him, and feeding him whatever he can manage to save from his own meals. Marty even swallows his pride and asks Mr. Wallace at the corner store for old food that he can buy cheap, just so Shiloh won't go hungry.
