Erin Taylor Young - Surviving Henry: Adventures in Loving a Canine Catastrophe

I always thought my first book would be dedicated to my husband and sons, but the passing of my dear father-in-law compels me to go back a generation. Would my husband, my sons, and I be who we are without Glens legacy of service, generosity, and love? He lived with a gleam in his eye and the light of Jesus in his heart, and he impacted not just his family but his entire community. Thank you, Glen.

To Alan, my long-suffering husband, who believes in me enough to pay for writing conferences, loves me enough to protect my writing time, and always, always encourages me to follow Gods call on my lifeI love you. You are my noble hero.

To my sons, Jacob and Jonathan, who love Henry and willingly became part of this storyI cant wait to see the stories God has for the rest of your lives. Love you guys!

Thanks to my parents, Darrell and Marjorie Taylor, who always made me feel like anything was possible, including this book. Youre the best. Your love has been a pillar holding me up all my life.

To Ruth Young, my second mom and wife to Glenthey say behind every great man there stands a woman. You have a legacy every bit as significant as Glens, and then some. Thank you for always making me feel like one of your own.

To Holly Smitas both critique partner and friend you are a God-given treasure. How would this book have ever grown up without you? You push me to be ever so much more than I think is possible. Thanks for walking this road with me, for praying it with me too, and for believing in nuggets and nothing wasted.

To Karen Ballthat God paired us for this ride is a great and awesome wonder to me. Thanks for being a steady rock of wisdom and for digging into this manuscript with me. By Gods grace Im blessed to call you both agent and friend.

Thanks to my writing buddies at OCFW. You make me grow. Thanks especially to Robin Patchen, Regina Jennings, and Sharon Srock, who read and critiqued Henrys story way back when.

Thanks to Rene Gutteridge, friend, mentor, and super-genius writer, who taught me, encouraged me, and kindly informed me I was a humor writer.

To Steve Laube, pastor to so many, many writersyou have shaped my career more than you know. Thank you.

To those whove prayed me through this processJudy Dancy, Sue Isaac, the Heritage Baptist Church prayer team, and a certain way-cool underground Sunday school class (you know who you are)Im forever grateful.

To the amazing publishing team at Revellyall are gifted. And you make this fun. Thanks for letting me join the team.

Thanks to the most excellent staff at the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library. I couldnt ask for better or more encouraging co-workers.

Thanks to Gayle Roper, teacher extraordinaire and wise counselor, who guided me in just the right direction at just the right time.

To Angel Soriano and the folks at K9 UniversityGod bless you for loving Henry and all the other dogs that pass through your doors.

To my God and Saviorthis is an astounding journey. You make water come from the rock and send manna in the desert. Soli Deo gloria.

Note: Some names of both people and animals have been changed, including Henrys true sire and dam (though Im sure all their other offspring are perfectly normal).

Authors Note That You Probably Wont Read but Im Going to Write Anyway So No One Sues Me

T his is a true-life story, not a word-for-word transcription of our life with Henry. Its not like I run around with a digital recorder in my pocket. Im reconstructing events and providing dialogue based on my memory of the gist of what happened to shape this into an experience you can share with me. Read this for what it ismy entertaining spin on the real-life predicaments Henry blunders into.

For the sake of story, I sometimes combine several conversations, characters, or events into one and do a little skippy-do through time. You dont care about the mundane details of my existence, so isnt it best that I spare you? Furthermore, this isnt a full account of the good and bad of Henry. Publishers balk at a 560,000-word epic. I mean, Tolstoy could get away with it, but my real-life War and Peace doesnt need that sort of elaboration.

For the sake of humor, allow me some comedic exaggeration here and there, and were good to go.

Enjoy.