Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal cruelty and physical abuse.

“I guess a dog’s story ain’t—isn’t—ever over, even after he dies, ’cause if you lose a pet, you still go on loving him.”

This early quote is an example of characterization and helps the readers better understand Marty Preston. The quote establishes Marty as a loving and caring individual—someone who cares deeply for his dog, Shiloh, and will continue to carry on Shiloh’s legacy even after he is gone. The self-correction of his use of the word “ain’t” is also an indicator of Marty’s character: He has high expectations of himself, and his desire to use proper grammar illustrates this. This will become important later in the text as Marty develops his moral compass and his own code of ethics.

“Sometimes hope seems out of human hands entirely.”

Saving Shiloh is, in part, a story of Marty’s growth from childhood innocence toward adult moral awareness. This is one of the important themes in the text, and this quote is an example of Marty’s growing awareness of the world around him as his relationship with the troubled Judd Travers deepens and becomes more complex. For all Judd’s faults, Marty has empathy for him and wants to have hope that Judd can turn his life around. The text will continue to explore the challenges of maintaining hope in someone who often disappoints those around them through their actions and words.