Brother James, a monk who has lost his ability to pray and is considering leaving the monastery, undergoes a crisis of faith in the midst of frantically trying to save his best friend, his dog, Brother. Brother was bitten by a rattlesnake trying to protect Brother James and quickly collapses as the venom takes effect. All doors close on Brother James, however. The monastery is too far from town, and the only vet in the area is out on another emergency call. Even an old rancher's "cure" doesn't work. In the meantime, Brother suffers incredible pain. Brother James faces the excruciating dilemma of either holding on to his belief that God will cure Brother or shooting Brother to put him out of his misery.