John Erickson and Hank

Their favorite place was a drainage run-off called the Emerald Swamp.  They spent their days napping on empty burlap bags underneath the rusty gas pumps.  They hung out with cowboys and rode shotgun in their muddy pick-ups.  And their nemesis was a scraggly and scheming cat.   Meet Hank and Drover, cowdogs on John Erickson's imaginary Texas ranch.

In 1967, Erickson began writing short stories while himself working as a cowboy in Texas and Oklahoma.  After receiving numerous rejections from publishers, he started his own company and began selling books from the back of his pick-up truck to other cowboys.   It wasn't until 1983 that he published, "The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog." 

When Matt and I started reading "Hank the Cowdog," we expected the author to tell us a story about dogs, not one in which the dogs themselves would tell us stories of what it was like to be them.   But soon, we couldn't get enough of Hank.  John Erickson's literary style - and his creations - were perfect for a five year old boy.

Hank and Drover are innocent and lovable personalities.  And there are other memorable characters, like the ranch owner and his sloppy and lazy ranch hand cowboy.   Coyote bullies (that are easily outsmarted by Hank).  A stuttering Buzzard.  And of course Pete the Barncat - who endlessly tempts and taunts and tortures Hank.

Hank and his friends became an indelible part of bedtime.  As we read, we created a unique voice for each of the characters.  Hank's was an overconfident Texas drawl.   Pete's was an underhanded hiss.  The cowboys had a long and lazy twang.  But the best voice belonged to Drover, who had a childlike tone that lilted and cracked; naive and innocent and vulnerable.  When I was traveling, Julie would try to do the characters (and she was better at Drover than me).

We'd read the same books over and over again.  Matt would take the books to school and they'd be in stacks all over his bedroom.  On sleepovers, we would introduce Hank and his companions to the cousins and friends.  We would draw our own pictures of Hank and Drover and tape them to the walls and the refrigerator.

Over time, trips to the Erickson ranch became less frequent.  Julie wanted Matt to read books at a higher level.  She bought him books on reptiles, mysteries, and sports.  So we'd have to sneak Hank in at bedtime.   She would hear Drover's voice and come into Matt's room, hands on her hips, and say, "Is that Hank?  John you know he is getting too old for those books."   And so, slowly and reluctantly, the voices began to fade.

My favorite book as a boy was "Clyde the Clumsy Cowboy."   I remember my mother reading it to me (but without the character voices).   I have a ziplock bag in my closet that holds the book.   Clyde couldn't ride a horse, so he eventually had to ride his cow, Daisy.   When I see the pictures of Clyde and Daisy on the brittle pages today, I just feel good.

A few years ago, I sent John Erickson an e-mail, telling him how we talk like Hank and Drover around the house and how much we enjoyed his work.  I offered to illustrate some of his future stories.   He wrote back, thanking me for the compliments and saying that he was already committed to another artist.   Matt and I both thought it was cool that he took the time to reply.

The books are still in Matt's closet.  One night not so long ago, Matt was sick and couldn't get to sleep.   We got one of the volumes off the closet shelf.   The cowdogs were glad to be back.  Like potent medicine, they effortlessly helped him fall asleep.  The next night, I saw him reading Hank again. 

Matt will never be too old for Hank.   And when he needs him, he'll be there.   Thanks to John Erickson.