Romer Wills lives on his farm with his wife Margie and their twins, Annie and Elvis. The family cares deeply about their dog, whom they refer to simply as "Pup." One day during a thunderstorm, Pup goes missing. The farmhand, whom the family refers to as Dorsey, finds the body of the dog in a ditch, and the heartbroken family buries their beloved animal behind the house. Three days later, Romer finds Pup scratching at their front door. Romer and Margie are shocked and bewildered. The twins are simply thrilled — they believe that Pup was never really dead in the first place, and it was lucky they hadn't nailed down the coffin lid. The family drives into town with Pup, and are greeted by Mrs. Hendrix, an elderly lady with crippling arthritis. She bends to pet the dog, and when she rises, her arthritis is gone; she walks away without any need for her cane. In the days that follow, various townsfolk come to the Wills's farm to ask for the dog that can work miracles. Romer turns them away at first, but eventually agrees to let the dog attend to the people who visit. Word of Pup's gift spreads when he cures a dying boy. Soon, though, Reverend Castledine visits Romer along with a committee of Christian women, who implore Romer to put a stop to Pup's miracles. They believe his powers can only be the work of the Devil. Romer makes the group leave, but an armed delegation returns that night. They make sure the family stays on the porch while a couple of men head to the barn and shoot Pup. The family buries him again, for the last time, in the backyard. Margie learns that she is pregnant — a final gift from Pup — and Dorsey leaves the Wills's farm for good.