Hank the Miracle Dog

by Dr. Amy Carpenter-Kabel
Trafford Publishing


"They said they would pray for him. The one girl said she and her dog fell on the ice. I told her that she must have a guardian angel. I said we were going to borrow her for Hank. As we were walking away the girls said seeing a blue jay brings good luck and we saw one! I said Hank needed that (I didn’t know then how that one simple statement would come back to me twenty and a half months later)."

In early 2013, Dr. Amy Kabel gets a call that her “nephew” Hank is not eating and has trouble going to the bathroom. Amy soon takes on the care for Hank and with the discovery of a mass in his pelvic area, Amy and her family face a long and difficult road in Hank’s recovery. With the possibility of Hank losing his back leg and part of his hip, Amy is desperate for alternatives and seeks help from other doctors for less evasive methods to save Hank.

Through this trying time, Amy documents Hank’s doctor visits, medical treatments, the spread of Hank’s celebrity status (already famous for Hank’s Visit to the Doggie Store book), and the love and support from the local community as she becomes Hank’s number one champion. It takes everything that Amy and her family have to remain positive through faith and prayer and give Hank the best possible medical care. Fortunately, their prayers are answered and Hank’s mass is partially removed and he is once again able to find happiness at home again.

Kabel’s book is an easy to read and gentle approach to the difficult decisions families may face in the life and care of a pet. It is endearing while simultaneously educational, offering lessons learned and guidance for anyone dealing with a similar situation. Coupled with personal photo illustrations, Kabel writes a very accessible narrative with Hank’s story to be shared and enjoyed by all ages. It is inspirational and a reminder of the powerful bond of love between humans and our four-legged friends.

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