Brad Felver - The Dogs of Detroit

To my mother for reading to me as a child, for showing me the value of hard work, for pushing me to be a person of substance in a world so infatuated with flash . And to my father for encouraging me to write stories long before I had any business doing so.

To Drue Heinz for her many years of supporting the literary arts. You left behind such a profound legacy. And to Lynne Sharon Schwartz for selecting this manuscript. It’s surreal to see my name anywhere near yours.

To Katie Grimm, my super-agent and partner and friend. I’m so grateful that we’re doing this together.

To Karen Heath for her distinctive blend of intellect and grace. You always took my writing seriously, which convinced me to take myself more seriously too.

To Hannah Tinti for all her guidance and encouragement. You give so much of yourself to help other writers that it’s a wonder you have anything left for your own brilliant stories.

To Anne Valente for her innate generosity, and also for always being the best writer in the room even while being so quiet about it.

To Lawrence Coates and Wendell Mayo for years of advice, encouragement, and friendship.

To all the editors who shepherded these stories in their early forms, particularly Steven Schwartz, Chris Fink, and Barry Kitterman.

To Paul Harding, Stratis Haviaras, and Greg Harris—wonderful teachers, and you influenced my writing far more than you probably know.

To Danielle Burkin for her incredible fortitude and her proficiency in all things, which keeps me sane most days. But mostly for your friendship, which I cherish.

To Peter Kracht, Maria Sticco, Alex Wolfe, Chloe Wertz, and the entire team at the University of Pittsburgh Press. That I get to hold this book in my hands is such a marvel, and I’m so grateful that you made it happen.

To all my students over the years—thank you for your enthusiasm, which is utterly infectious.

To Henry and Graham for being the best possible distractions from writing. Being your daddy is my favorite thing in the world.

And, of course, to Susie. Without you, there’s no way this book would exist, but without you, I also wouldn’t even care if it did. Love you madly.

This book is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. This work is not meant to, nor should it be interpreted to, portray any specific persons living or dead.

Published by the University of Pittsburgh Press,

Pittsburgh, Pa., 15260

Copyright © 2018, Brad Felver

All rights reserved

Manufactured in the United States of America

Printed on acid-free paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Cataloging-in-Publication data is available from the Library of Congress

ISBN 13: 978-0-8229-4542-0

Cover photo: Riccardo Pelati / unsplash

Cover design: Regina Starace

ISBN-13: 978-0-8229-8615-7 (electronic)