Hank

This morning I received some very sad news from our dear friends, Denise and Mark Stevens—their little Hank had passed away. Kinky, Tony and I were all saddened about Hank’s passing, because Hank had once been Kinky’s dog, and then Hank became Tony’s and my dog for over three years, and then Hank was Mark and Denise’s dog—for nearly five years.

Kinky had rescued Hank, when he was leaving KVET, following a show with Sam and Bob. He was going out the stations door, when a rescue group was coming in. When Kinky saw Hank—his heart melted and he asked the people about the little red dog. The people were from a rescue group up in Austin, and they were bringing the little red dog—hoping to get him adopted during their radio interview with Sam and Bob. Kinky adopted Hank on the spot.

Then Kinky called me to tell me about his adoption. “Nance, I love this little dog and I can’t wait for y’all to see him!” Kinky said. “He’s precious and I’ve named him Hank.”

Kinky took Hank to his ranch and everything went smoothly until Mr. Magoo tried to drown Hank in the creek one day. “Nance, Gooie just tried to murder Hank,” were Kinky’s words. “I’m scared he’s going to get hurt. Can y’all take him?”

Hank lived with Tony and me for over three years and he was a joy to be around—he fit right in with our bunch.

During the Thanksgiving holidays in 2003, our great friend, Brian Alstott, came out to see us and he brought along Denise, his friend’s wife, so she could see the rescue ranch. When Denise saw Hank—she asked us if she could adopt him, because he had stolen her heart.

A week later, Denise drove down with her friend and she officially adopted him! Since that day, we have stayed in touch with Mark and Denise, and we count them as great friends, and we loved getting Denise’s e-mails updating us with her funny stories about Hank.

This afternoon around four o’clock, Mark and Denise showed up to bury Hank next to Yoda’s grave, because Hank and Yoda had been buddies. There was lots of tears and hugs.

After burying Hank with his favorite squeaky toy, a small hat and a coffee mug, Mark built a form out of 2 X 6’s, and then mixed up some concrete, and shoveled it into the form above their little dog’s grave. Denise placed a big rock that looked like a heart in the middle of the slab, and then they each etched a few sweet words into the concrete—using long screws. Hank had been laid to rest.

Kinky, Tony, Ben, Brian and me—and especially Mark and Denise, are going to miss that great, little, red dog—named Hank. Rest In Peace.