Reminds me of my own dog

Comment:

Shilo connects with my life because I know how it feels to lose a dog. In your book, and I had a dog that was getting abused before we adopted it. When we rescued the dog, it was in really bad condition similar to the guy in your book that shots the dog. I felt the same way that I felt when I read your book. When I helped my dog named Daisy, I thought of Shiloh because Daisy was usually used for wars and hunting. The hunting reminded me of Shiloh because when Daisy was a puppy, she liked to hunt baby rabbits.
What made you want to write this book? I am glad you wrote this book because it made me have really good memories of my dog. Even though your book was sad, I enjoyed it and it helped me care for my dog more. I like sad books sometimes because they bring back sad memories and make them good memories.
The family in your book was poor and that felt like my old life when I used to live in Arizona and then we moved to Washington when I was one. The family helped each other in hard times just like my family. For example, once my brother fell and was bleeding and my dog licked the blood away and scratched at the door to get my mom’s attention. Then, we all ran out and put a bandaid on the cut. The dog helped my brother get help.
The old man in your book ends up in jail for abusing dogs and doing illegal things to dogs. This impacted me because it reminded me of the man who abused Daisy before we rescued her. That man also went to jail for his crimes. I felt happy that he went away, and we were able to keep the dog. Now Daisy has had heart surgery because she had heartworm, but then we were able to give her away to someone special who has more space for her to run. Sadly, I don’t get to see her anymore, but I know she is okay in that new home. I feel happy that she is cared for and loved. I would do anything for my doggy.
I enjoyed Shiloh so much I might even read it again when I am fifteen, and I will always think of your book as I care for dogs.

Phyllis replied:

Actually, Judd Travers doesn’t end up in jail in my book, but I can understand how you might have wished him to be there.  I believe you would enjoy the three books that follow this one–Shiloh Season, Saving Shiloh, and A Shiloh Christmas.  You will see how Judd changes and how his relationship with Marty turns out.  I can tell you really loved your dog, Daisy.  Thank you for writing to me.