Richmond Griner of Wag Works introduces the first part of a two part series with Erin Mariah Murphy, a United Airlines pilot, dog advocate, and the award winning author behind Halfway Home. This opening chapter follows the early rise of her journey, beginning with childhood days in Scranton where air shows, F16 flyovers, and a love of animals shaped her goals. Those early sparks carried her to Daniel Webster Aviation School in New Hampshire, followed by years of flight instructing, corporate flying, regional routes, and ultimately international flights out of Newark. Her husband also flies for American Airlines, creating a life closely connected to aviation.

Throughout her flying career, dogs remained at the center of her world. Erin adopted her first dog, Jasmine, in high school, and later became deeply involved with the SPCA. She volunteered in every role available, from walking dogs to helping with photography, shelter skip days, and overnight stays. Over three years she fostered ten dogs, and one of them, a shy shelter pup named Homer, became Zeke and found a permanent place in her home.

When flying slowed during the pandemic, Erin turned to writing and began developing new ways to share the stories that tied aviation and rescue animals together. She enrolled in courses with Journey to Kid Lit and Gotham Writers, gaining the tools to build her first children’s book. What started as a lighthearted idea centered on Zeke soon grew into a project that reflected her passions for flying, storytelling, and animal advocacy.

Part One offers a warm introduction to Erin’s story and sets the foundation for the experiences that eventually led to the creation of Halfway Home.