Title: Hank: An “Angel Dog”
Author: David O. Scheiding
Publisher: ‎ ‎Dorrance Publishing
ISBN: 978-1480919723
Pages: 88
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.

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Hank: An “Angel Dog” features the story of an outstanding pet author David O. Scheiding’s family came to believe was placed by God in their lives to provide the kind of love, solace, and devotion which truly articulates His love for all of his creation.

Hank was white except for the black patch around his right eye. He had a smaller black spot just behind his left eye, and several other black spots on his soft velvet-like ears, body, and legs. His eyes were dark brown and he had one black eyelash and one white eyelash. It was easy to tell that he had been previously abused during his initial six to eight months of life since he would cringe every time someone took up a long-handled object. This situation had required urgent attention and Herman had been equal to the task of training and rebuilding the lost trust between Hank and humans. Herman was the father to Scheiding’s wife and he had just lost his wife. He would intensely connect with Hank during his grieving season, in a way that no other pet did, and find extraordinary solace in him. To Herman, Hank was an extra exceptional dog with an unbelievably impressive cognitive ability and a friend unlike any other out there.

The author’s recollections of Hank, who was more of a family member than a pet, are wildly striking and moving. His voice will ably transport you back and forth between both the human and animal worlds, and allow you to understand why the fifteen years of existence of this charming dog left a lasting imprint on people around him. The story has been written in simple language which blends with high-quality pictorials, and from it, readers are bound to acquire a great deal of insight into how God expects them to handle and care for animals.

Though short, Hank: An “Angel Dog” is poignant and has the potential of striking a new liking for pets in a reader’s heart. It can be enjoyed by both young and mature audiences, and in particular animal lovers will find it incredibly delightful.