Young Marty Preston (Blake Heron) lives in an isolated, rural area with little to do during summer vacation. But he finds a purpose when Shiloh, a mistreated, runaway beagle pup, tails Marty home one day. Shiloh kindles a fervor in the youngster that immerses him in an emotional and ethical quagmire -- and pits him against the dog's brutish owner (Scott Wilson). Michael Moriarty and Rod Steiger co-star in this poignant family drama.