 Morris wrote that Shiloh 's faithfulness to Marty is portrayed in " affective human terms " . In the secluded , bucolic West Virginia , Shiloh becomes the masculine friend Marty did not have . The beagle adopts the persona of the brother Marty never had . Marty doggedly believes that Shiloh and other animals are creatures with feelings . <unk> with Marty 's emotions , the beagle is considered by Marty to be a confidante . On the other hand , in pastoral West Virginia , some adults consider animals to bring only economic benefits to humans . Morris stated that children like Marty defy their rural culture and advance to an upper @-@ class mindset . 
