Hank the Cowdog

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Hank the Cowdog is a series of humorous children's mystery novels, written by John R. Erickson and illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes. The series began in 1982 with a couple of short stories about the proud but bumbling Hank, the self-styled "Head of Ranch Security". Over 40 books have since been written featuring Hank, his timid sidekick Drover, his sworn enemy Pete the Barncat, and their adventures on the M-Cross ranch in the northern Texas Panhandle. Every book in the series has been recorded in an audio book format, making it the longest-running popular children's audio book series.^{[citation needed]} The books all include songs sung by Hank and other characters; these songs are all performed on the tapes by Erickson. It has received various awards and acclaims, lauded by Publishers Weekly and USA Today.

The Hank the Cowdog books are supported by various libraries and teaching programs, and related lesson plans, which usually incorporate the books with cassette tapes, are available through Maverick Books (the series' original publisher). The first six books have been translated into Spanish by the Argentine publisher Editorial Sudamericana. Series of his books are also translated into Persian and are popular in Iran.^{[citation needed]}

In the mid-1980s, the first book was also adapted into an animated segment for the CBS Storybreak.

1 Main Characters Descriptions
2 Major Minor Characters
3 Minor Characters
4 List of books
5 Upcoming Books
6 Trivia
7 External links

[edit] Main Characters Descriptions

Hank (Head of ranch security): Hank is the main character and protagonist of the series. He is a cowdog on a ranch in Texas and the self proclaimed 'Head of Ranch Security', a role which he takes very seriously. Being the narrator of the story, the reader hears everything from Hank's perspective. Often Hank will lose track of what he is talking about and ramble on about something else until he picks up his main point again. There have been a few occasions when Hank has abandoned his role on the ranch when he feels unappreciated but generally when push comes to shove Hank will always do the right thing, regardless of his own fears or misgivings. In the cartoon, Hank was played by Frank Welker.

Drover (sidekick): Drover is a "little white mutt with a stub tail" that often complains of a bad leg when put under pressure. Hank tends to think of Drover as lazy, since Hank often finds him "sleeping on the job". Drover doesn't take the role of ranch security nearly as seriously as Hank does, but does make attempts, if only to impress Hank. In instances where there is imminent danger Drover will always complain of his bad leg and usually slips away at great speed when Hank is not looking. However, in the few instances where Hank is not there and Drover is the only one to protect the ranch from an attack by coyotes, he stands his ground and faces his fear. In some cases, it seems that Drover is smarter than Hank and is simply trying to make Hank feel better about himself. Sometimes when Hank says something particularly outlandish, Drover "rolls his eyes around" although this could just be because he is scared or confused.

Pete (the Barncat): Pete is Hank's daily enemy. There will almost always be some conflict between the two near the beginning of each story. As far as Hank is concerned Pete is just "your typical dumb cat". However, Pete shows himself time and again to be greatly manipulative of Hank. In a case where Hank suffered from "eye-crosserosis", Pete began to bother Hank and threatened to steal Hank's milk and egg (which the cowboys gave him). Hank did not take kindly to that so when Pete walked away Hank followed him, intending to beat him up. As Pete approached where he was heading, the creek, he confronted Hank and told him that he would go take Hank's food since Hank wouldn't be able to make it back to the ranch with "eye-crosserosis". Pete then slipped away back to the ranch leaving Hank unable to do anything about it. Since Hank is the narrator, Pete's plans are not always seen until they reach fruition, and even then, Hank will not easily admit to being tricked by a "dumb cat". In the cartoon, Pete was also played by Frank Welker.

The Coyote Brothers (Rip and Snort): The coyotes roam free in the forests and canyons and are a constant danger to the ranch. Whenever Hank encounters the "cannibals", as he calls them, he is often being faced with the prospect of being eaten. Hank usually has to talk his way out of situations with coyotes since, even though he rarely admits it, he is no match for a coyote in combat. The brothers Rip and Snort enjoy singing, getting into fights and being tough, though they are not very intelligent as they often get tricked out of a meal by Hank. Hank encounters other coyotes, but these are the two he most commonly meets.
- Out of the two coyotes, Snort does most of the talking while Rip seems to be the muscle between the two, usually checks on things for Snort. In one book Hank even notices that Rip is a little bit bigger than Snort, he even mentions that he doesn't talk much.

Wallace and Junior (the Buzzards): Wallace and Junior are buzzards which show up when Hank is away from the ranch and in a situation where something is dead or in real danger of dying. Wallace (Junior's father) says he's a "grouch and proud of it". He doesn't particularly like Hank and wouldn't mind Hank as his next meal. Even though Wallace is a grouch, he is always good intentioned for the care of his son. Junior (Wallace's Son) has a stutter when he speaks. He considers Hank and his companions his friends whenever they meet. Hank and Junior are on good terms and have been known to sing songs together, to Wallace's protest though.

Beulah (the collie): She is Hank's one true love who lives down the road at another ranch. Hank often dreams about her and whenever in grave danger his thoughts turn back to her as well. Beulah is good friends with Hank but is in love with Plato, a bird dog which lives on the same ranch as her. Hank doesn't understand why Beulah loves a bird dog but ultimately resigns that "women are impossible to understand". In "Faded Love" Beulah tells Hank that she loves him but Hank is a "hero" and she doesn't want to be a hero's girlfriend because "they great the dawn alone." She hints that she is just following her mind and not her heart, because Plato is "kind to her."

Madame Moonshine: Psychic owl that believes she is a witch and has done a few supernatural things throughout the series. She has a very peculiar nature, saying that she does not believe in witches, nor does she believe in dogs, even when talking to Hank. Her biggest parts occur in book 2, 11, 16, 28, and again in 61.

High Loper: Loper is Sally May's husband and manager of the ranch where Hank lives. He's more ranch-man than a manager, however, and more at home on a horse than anywhere else.

Sally May: High Loper's wife, Little Alfred's and Baby Molly's mother, chief of the chicken coop, and manager of the vegetable and flower gardens, Sally May has plenty to keep her busy. Hank tries her patience and occasionally has "misunderstandings" which usually leave Sally May throwing rocks and Hank running away. Sally May thinks Hank stinks and generally does not like to be near him but in instances where Hank has saved her or done something particularly heroic she will show her affection for Hank.

Slim Chance: Slim is a cowboy and a bachelor from the top of his hat to the tip of his spurs. Sort of a human version of Hank, Slim and the Head of Ranch Security spend many adventures (and misadventures) together. Once they even spent Christmas Eve with each other.

Little Alfred: Sally May's and Loper's little boy. Hank is sworn by his sacred Cowdog Oath "to protect and defend all innocent children against all manner of monsters and evil things." In between rescue missions, battles with Hooking Bulls, and other deadly creatures, Hank and Little Alfred share a special kind of communication. Time and time again, Alfred seems to know just what Hank wants. Hank explains that there is a special time early in a child's life when he or she can communicate to animals, and that Alfred should cherish it.

Plato: Has "eyes as big as plates" and is the love interest of Beulah the collie. A cheerful fellow, he is greatly disliked by Hank, but the two unite in book 26: The Case of the Missing Collie.

[edit] Major Minor Characters

Ralph: A Basset Hound with "the saddest, most mournful face you could imagine." He currently lives in the dog pound. Hank met Ralph in book 3: It's a Dog's Life, book 6: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, book 7: The Cast Of The Car Barkaholic Dog,book 27: The Case Of The Night Stalking Bone Monster, and book 38:the fling

Missy Coyote: A coyote Hank met in the first book. Hank may have a crush on her, after helping her get a can off her head that was stuck. Hank meets her in some books.Her full name is Girl-Who-Drink-Blood, and Hank calls her "Missy Coyote" because he dislikes her full name.

Rufus: A Doberman Pinscher. Seen in book 2, 5, 28, and will be seen in book 58.

Scraunch: Missy Coyote's brother and Chief Gut's son.He is fierce, tough and merciless, and is known as one of the most dangerous coyotes.Hank has fought with him many times, and luckily won. Rip and Snort seem to be his henchmen.

Blissey: A Bumblebee who works for Hank to spy on Rufus. She will be seen in book 58 and 62.

The Bumblebee Chief: Blissey's father . He tells her to stay away from dogs. Will be seen in book 58 and 62.

Wasper: A wasp who is best friends with Blissey and also plays mind tricks on Pete. She will be seen in book 58 and 62.

Yacket: A yellow jacket hired by The Bumblebee Chief to kill Hank. Will be seen in book 62.

Hane: A hornet that is in love with Blissey. Will be seen in book 62.

[edit] Minor Characters

Hank meets many friends and foes in the series, listed here:

Sinister (the bobcat): He lives in the dark unchanted forest, and is one of Hank's foes. He was seen in book 11.
Chief Gut: From the coyote tribe, Chief Gut is Missy's father. His full name is "Many-Rabbit-Gut-Eat-In-Full-Moon." He was seen in books 1 and 4.
Benny: A cowdog, who tries to take Hank's place. He was seen in book 10 and will be seen again in book 53.
Miss Scamper: A dog who visits the ranch with Benny. Hank may have a crush on her. She was seen in book 10.
Mary D Cat: A cat said to be a vampire. Seen in book 21.
Maggie: Hank's sister. Seen in book 3.
Bruno: A boxer, Hank meets at Waterhole 83. Seen in book 1.
Timothy: A rattlesnake who lives with Madame Moonshine. Seen in book 2, 16, 28., and will be seen in book 61 and 64.
Tuerto: A one-eyed killer stud horse. Seen in book 8.
Rambo: The great dane car barkaholic dog. Seen in book 17.
Brewster: The huge German shephard, st. bernard dog known mostly to sleep and to make accidents, such as stepping on things like Hank's tail. Seen only in book 19.
Ingus: A greyhound who enjoys playing pranks. Will be seen in book 56 and 59.
El Tigre: A mountain lion who will be a foe of Hank. He will be seen in book 54.
Shelly: A lost seagull that has broke her wing landing on the ranch. Will be seen in book 55.
Sir Willis: A seugull looking for Shelly. Will be seen in book 55.
Algie: Hank's cousin. She is a Scottish Terrier, and she steals. She Will be seen in book 63.

[edit] List of books

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
It's a Dog's Life
Murder in the Middle Pasture
Faded Love
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
The Curse of the Incredible Priceless Corncob
The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse
The Case of the Halloween Ghost
Every Dog Has His Day
Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest
The Case of the Fiddle Playing Fox
The Wounded Buzzard of Christmas Eve
Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business
The Case of the Missing Cat
Lost in the Blinded Blizzard
The Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog
The Case of the Hooking Bull
The Case of the Midnight Rustler
The Phantom in the Mirror
The Case of the Vampire Cat
The Case of the Double Bumblebee Sting
Moonlight Madness
The Case of the Black-Hooded Hangmans
The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado
The Case of the Kidnapped Collie
The Case of the Night-Stalking Bone Monster
The Mopwater Files
The Case of the Vampire Vacuum Sweeper
The Case of the Haystack Kitties
The Case of the Vanishing Fishhook
The Garbage Monster from Outer Space
The Case of the Measled Cowboy
Slim's Good-bye
The Case of the Saddle House Robbery
The Case of the Raging Rottweiler
The Case of the Deadly Ha-Ha Game
The Fling
The Secret Laundry Monster Files
The Case of the Missing Bird Dog
The Case of the Shipwrecked Tree
The Case of the Burrowing Robot
The Case of the Twisted Kitty
The Dungeon of Doom
The Case of the Falling Sky
The Case of the Tricky Trap
The Case of the Tender Cheeping Chickies
The Case of the Monkey Burglar
The Case of the Booby-Trapped Pickup
The Case of the Most Ancient Bone
The Case of the Blazing Sky
The Quest for the Great White Quail

[edit] Upcoming Books

The Case of the Well of Wishings
The Pest of the Wild West
The Case of the Sneaky Santa
The Case of the Flying Birthday Cake
The Case of the Furry Snargret
The Mighty Bee!
Hank's Got The Party
The Case of the Midnight Scarecrow
The Case of Dragon's Food
Ride of the Cowdogiries
The Case of the Flapjack Crazy Outlaw
Dopplesnake

[edit] Trivia

In almost every story, Hank gives some false scientific information. For example, in the second volume of the series, Hank comes down with a "case" of "eye crosserosis". In the third volume, Hank is led to believe that he has been poisoned with "soap hydrophobia," making him appear rabid.
In most of the stories Hank mentions Beulah the Collie, his one true love, but Beulah loves a bird dog named Plato.
All but two books begin with the phrase "It's me again, Hank the Cowdog." (Neither one is the first in the series.) The exceptions are #21: The Case of the Vampire Cat that begins with "It's me again, Harry the Hogdog." (He said this to "make sure we were paying attention.") The other is #40: The Case of the Missing Bird Dog that begins with "On the morning of November 1, at precisely nine o'clock in the morning, I noticed that something very strange was occurring on my ranch."
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog begins with "It's me again, Hank the Cowdog" even though it is Hank for the first time.

Actually, Hank stories were first published in "The Cattleman" magazine, and in "The Devil in Texas," the first publication of Maverick Books. From the Hank the Cowdog website [1]:

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults. An obvious favorite of readers, Erickson included two of Hank's humorous stories in Maverick Book's first publishing effort, "The Devil in Texas" (1982). Erickson began selling books from his pickup truck at cattle auctions, rodeos, and just about any place cowboys gathered. When Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, 2,000 copies of "The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog" were published, and sold out in 6 weeks. Not long after that first printing, the book was recorded word-for-word on audiotape. Since then, every Hank book has been recorded, making Hank the longest running successful children's series on audio ever. (Source: Billboard)

In July of 2007, the 50th Hank the Cowdog book made its debut 24 years after The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog was let loose on the shelves. The book is the longest in the series (almost twice as long as the previous forty-nine books.)
Hank was originally an Australian SheepDog, while Drover was a mixed-breed.