Albert Payson Terhune (1872-1942) was an American author, dog breeder, and journalist, best known for his novels detailing the adventures and heartwarming stories of collies. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Terhune achieved literary fame through his engrossing tales that often centered around the heroics of his beloved collies. His deep affection for these animals was reflected through his Sunnybank estate in Wayne, New Jersey, which became the real-world inspiration for many of his stories, including his most notable work, 'Lad: A Dog' (1919). 'Lad of Sunnybank' (1929), part of the Lad series, continued to illustrate the exploits and character of Terhune's real-life collie, Lad, bringing animal narratives to a passionate audience. Terhune's literary style is characterized by anthropomorphism, weaving rich emotions and moral lessons into his animal characters, which endeared him to readers and contributed to the elevated status of collies in popular culture. His narratives typically blend adventure, sentimentality, and a strong moral compass, often emphasizing loyalty and bravery. Terhune's writing career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to the canine genre and American literature writ large by authoring over 30 books. His work remains a testament to the relationship between humans and animals, continuing to capture the hearts of animal lovers and readers of classic American literature.