This is a true book about how one family adopted a Boxer pup that became almost untrainable and unruly. The important thing is, author Erin Young takes everything Henry does and makes a funny story out of it. She also draws an analogy that we are just like Henry, sinners and yet God loves us just for who we are. Good book! ( )

Henry is not your run of the mill Boxer. He is insane. But that's ok because so us his owner. I assumed by the end of the book the family would move next door to the vet's office for convenience. They certainly made him a millionaire with all of Henry's stunts. The book is hysterical and should not be read in public because you will laugh out loud-over and over. I want a Henry of my own! ( )

This is definitely a wonderful book, especially for dog-people who know that personality is 85% the battle with any pooch even the ones that don't seem like problem pups. The constant battles, the insane behaviors and the constant strange behavior hits home time and time again while it made me think of the strange behaviors of my own dogs when I had them.

The author hit it on the nail that she is a comedian and even when you wanted to flinch in pain with her you were too busy laughing at the antics of everyone involved. Yes I did get the crazy look when I started laughing aloud when the cute puppy turned into an evil Chuck Norris while I am sure if I had read the majority of the book in public I would have been tied to an asylum.

Can't wait to watch some movies of Henry and have been blessed to read the story of the Youngs. Hope he is around for many years while I love how the ending of the book has a small twist to it. Most definitely a keeper for my own shelves! ( )

Surviving Henry Adventures in Loving a Canine Catastrophe by Erin Taylor Young
I LOVED this book. Henry is a boxer with endless energy. It was refreshing to hear the antics of others peoples pets. I found the author Erin Taylor Young, to be quite funny and found myself laughing so hard I cried. In all Henry’s antics he was still loveable, reminds me of a kid with ADHD. Always into something but never with a malice heart. Henry reminds me of some of the dogs and cats I have owned or fostered. I admire the way the author summed it up, “I love this dog… because, maybe this is the sum of countless choices. Every decisions I’ve made to keep going, keep working, keep trying had added up to loving Henry with my actions, even when my feelings were anything but. Funny how the warmth of emotion caught up to my choices somewhere along the way. Like finding a rare gift in s beat up box.”
The author did a fantastic job of describing Henry with love and passion. I give Surviving Henry 5 stars and would loved to read more about him. I normally do not read much non-fiction but loved this one and would consider others by this author.
I want to thank the author Erin Taylor Young and publisher Revell for bringing good clean funny Christian books like this one to readers like me. I would also like to thank The Book Club Network Inc. for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Calling all "Marley" and "Henry" owners...

I knew from the opening sentence I was in for a laugh a minute... And I was . The book starts, "Our dog has special needs, the greatest being the need for a lobotomy." Following Erin Young's tongue-in-cheek humor, slight exaggerations, and over-the-top stories, I laughed out loud till I cried. Henry is one dog with doggy ADHD and then some.

Any dog owner, whether one who has a perfect pet, or one who owns (or has owned, in my case) a "Henry" or "Marley" will thoroughly enjoy the stories of Henry's boat rides, his walks accompanied by bike rider or scooter, his leaps into who-knows-what,etc.

Erin is a great humorist who knows how to deliver her one liners. I only hope I can remember my favorites (and use them in real life):
"It's as if his brain took a vacation for the past few minutes and didn't even send a postcard." (Definitely good for use on more than just dogs!)
"Manipulation is a beautiful thing. When used responsibly."
Trying to keep the dog exercised, Erin felt like Wile E. Coyote, "moving from one Acme disaster to another."

Still, the best quote has to be the lesson Erin learned:"Real love can't be about satisfying a feeling.. it costs and it hurts and it's one life-wrenching mess of a lesson..It's...embodying the notion of unconditional giving .Of mercy. Of commitment. It's becoming a better person for having lived through the crucible."

Fortunately, Erin and her family do, and they persist until they find out how to live with and love their hyper dog and even how to train him to be more enjoyable to be around. Great fun to read! I received this book through bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. ( )