Books in series
#1
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
1980
The popular Hank the Cowdog series is based on the humorous antics of the canine Head of Ranch Security. In this first book, Hank and his little buddy, Drover, set out to solve a series of baffling murders on the ranch. Is Hank a suspect? An Outlaw? Can he clear his good name?
#2
The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
1983
Hank is stricken with Eye-Crosserosis. To make matters worse, Beulah, the collie of his dreams, shows up on the ranch with Plato (at least Hank thinks it's Plato). Although he can't see very well, Hank approaches the visiting dogs with the idea of winning his lady love and dusting Plato's spots once and for all.
#3
It's a Dog's Life
1984
Duped into thinking the world is coming to an end, Hank the Cowdog winds up in town for some more adventures including getting in and out of a case of "soap hydrophobia."
#4
Murder in the Middle Pasture
1985
When a calf is murdered, Hank, a wiley cowdog and head of ranch security, pursues a gang of wild dogs and a clan of coyotes to find the killer
#5
Faded Love
1985
Hank the Cowdog quits his job as head of ranch security and travels in search of adventure and romance.
#6
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
1988
A chicken killer is loose on the ranch. In this story, Loper has laid down the law to Hank and the chicken killing must stop or else. (Gulp.) It's up to the Head of Ranch Security to interrogate every possible suspect, even old friends. Could Drover be the terrible chicken killer?
#7
The Curse of the Incredible Priceless Corncob
1986
While trying to outwit his arch enemy Pete the Barncat, Hank the Cowdog is duped into believing a worthless corncob will bring him fame and fortune.
#8
The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse
1987
Hank the cowdog goes to the rescue as a wild, one-eyed horse creates havoc on the ranch but some of his outrageous stunts get him into more trouble than he bargained for.
#9
The Case of the Halloween Ghost
1987
Hank the cowdog has one of the scariest adventures of his life when he and his cowardly companion, Drover, find themselves in a strange and spooky place on Halloween night.
#10
Every Dog Has His Day
1987
It's roundup time on the ranch, but Hank was left behind! Benny ? a hot shot, high-priced cowdog ? is running the show while Hank is tied to a fence post....
#11
Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest
1988
Little Alfred is having a hard time accepting his new baby sister, Molly. Hank tries to give him some advice, but Alfred decides to run away from home. It's up to Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, to save Alfred from the coyotes, bobcats, and other monsters that lurk in the "dark unchanted forest."
#12
The Case of the Fiddle Playing Fox
1989
While working on a mysterious case involving disappearing eggs and a fiddle-playing fox named Frankie, Hank the cowdog falls for Miss Beulah, the beautiful collie.
#13
The Wounded Buzzard on Christmas Eve
1989
Hank is looking forward to a long winter's nap when duty calls him to accompany Slim into town for a last-minute Christmas shopping spree. Along the way, Hank and the gang are struck not only by the meaning of Christmas but also by a twenty-five-pound buzzard!
#14
Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business
1990
Hank apprehends a large red box bearing a mysterious WARNING! MONKEY! DO NOT OPEN THIS BOX! The goods consist of nothing less than the Pasha of Shizzam, a bizarre little monkey willing to answer to Hank's beck and call. Or is he?
#15
The Case of the Missing Cat
1990
After losing his post as Head of Ranch Security in a crooked bet with Pete the Barncat, Hank devises a plan to rid the ranch of the snide feline. But sticking to his evil plot is more difficult than he imagined!
#16
Lost in the Blinded Blizzard
1991
When a raging blizzard shuts down the ranch, a phone call brings an emergency someone's got to deliver cough medicine to Baby Molly. When Slim's truck gets stuck in a snowdrift, it's up to Hank to save the day.
#17
The Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog
1991
Stranded in town, Hank the Cowdog, finds himself drawn into a dangerous situation involving his sister Maggie and a terrible bully named Rambo.
#18
The Case of the Hooking Bull
1992
Unsupervised for the day, Hank the cowdog and his human friends, Little Alfred and Slim Chance, mind the ranch with humorous results.
#19
The Case of the Midnight Rustler
1992
A calf-snitcher is on the loose, so Hank and Slim set up a stakeout. When the rustler makes an appearance, the Head of Ranch Security is right there to nab him—but not without a few distractions along the way.
#20
The Phantom in the Mirror
1993
When Hank takes a peek into the old mirror in the machine shed, he sees the meanest, toughest, stupidest dog he's ever seen. Hank's got to find a way to rid the ranch of this uninvited visitor?but how?
#21
The Case of the Vampire Cat
1993
When Hank is accidentally abandoned at a neighbor's ranch, he finds himself with a very undesirable feline companion. But is his new-found sidekick really a vampire?
#22
The Case of the Double Bumblebee Sting
2013
This just in from the Emergency Weather A tornado is headed straight for the ranch! And Hank and Drover are in the worst possible place—trapped inside the house. Can they find a way out—before they get blown away?
#23
Moonlight Madness
1994
When Slim brings an orphaned raccoon back to the ranch, it's up to Hank to find a way to keep the coon out of trouble. The only problem is, whenever Hank tries to stop Eddy, he's the one who ends up in hot water!
#24
The Case of the Black-hooded Hangmans
1995
When Eddy the Rac disappears from the ranch, a search for the fugitive leads Hank, along with Drover and Little Alfred, into the lair of the dreaded Black-Hooded Hangmans.
#25
The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado
2013
This just in from the Emergency Weather A tornado is headed straight for the ranch! And Hank and Drover are in the worst possible place—trapped inside the house. Can they find a way out—before they get blown away?
#26
The Case of the Kidnapped Collie
1996
Hank's not too happy when Beulah the Collie shuns him for that bird-brained bird dog, Plato. But when Beulah falls into the clutches of a ruthless cannibal, Hank knows that there's only one dog tough enough to save her—and it's none other than Hank the Cowdog.
#27
The Case of the Night-Stalking Bone Monster
1996
When his juicy T-bones disappear before he has a chance to enjoy them, Hank the Cowdog is convinced that a Bone Monster is loose on the ranch and determines to put a stop to its devious activities.
#28
The Mopwater Files
1997
After drinking a bucket of mopwater, Hank feels like one poisoned pup. But even that's not enough to stop the Head of Ranch Security from taking on a Doberman pinscher—especially not for the dog of his dreams, Beulah the Collie!
#29
The Case of the Vampire Vacuum Sweeper
1997
The head of Ranch Security is again called to duty—this time to arrest the marauding trespassers who are threatening to stampede the cattle. Join Hank as he tracks down enemy agent Mysterious Esther, gets a surprise visit from pretty Miss Viola, attempts a daring escape from the relentless Vampire Vacuum Sweeper, almost single-handedly reprimands town dog Buster and his gang of thugs and sustains the ranch through another dangerous night.
#30
The Case of the Haystack Kitties
1998
Hank has his paws full when he discovers a mother cat and six kittens trespassing in a haystack on his very own ranch. (Have we mentioned cowdogs don’t like cats?) Join Hank as he is trapped in a runaway pickup, surrounded by a herd of stray cats, and forced to battle a raging bull. Can Hank stop the cats from taking over his ranch?
#31
The Case of the Vanishing Fishhook
1998
Book by Erickson, John R.
#32
The Case of the Garbage Monster from Outer Space
1999
Someone has been raiding Sally May's garbage barrels! Hank knows the crime is the work of a notorious gang of raccoons, but in a tragic case of mistaken identity, the Head of Ranch Security is himself forced to take the heat. Even more trouble lies ahead. Rip and Snort, the good-for-nothing coyote brothers, are planning to pull an even bigger job. Not only is Hank powerless to stop them, he's forced to fight on the side of evil?and must contend with terrifying forces!
#33
The Case of the Measled Cowboy
1999
When Sally May and Loper head off to visit the relatives?leaving Slim in charge of Little Alfred?Hank knows that trouble is sure to come knocking. But not even the Head of Ranch Security could have predicted what would happen next. First, Slim is struck down with the measles. Then a blizzard hits the ranch, trapping them in the house with no heat or electricity. Somehow, Hank's got to find a way to get them out of this mess...before they're snowed in for good!
#34
Slim's Good-bye
2000
Hard times have hit the ranch. When Loper heads to town to meet with the banker, Slim decides to hit the road in search of a new job. But little does Slim know that the Head of Ranch Security and his faithful sidekick have stowed away in the back of his pickup. Before they know it, they're putting down paws in a new town. And when Slim's new job lands Hank the unfortunate position of Head of Chicken House security, Hank decides that this new life is for the birds. Will he ever see the ranch again? "The best family entertainment in years." —USA Today
#35
The Case of the Saddlehouse Robbery
2000
There's a new dog on the ranch, and Hank the Cowdog is none too thrilled. As Head of Ranch Security, he's supposed to keep an eye on Jake until his owner shows up. But Jake's got other plans—he's convinced he needs to get to Madagascar before some pirates make off with his treasure. As if that's not bad enough, while Hank's looking after Jake a thief makes off with all of Loper's best saddles! It's up to Hank to find the saddles—and save his hide.
#36
The Case of the Raging Rottweiler
2000
A huge Rottweiler the size of King Kong (according to Hank) threatens the security of Hank the Cowdog's ranch.
#37
The Case of the Deadly Ha-Ha Game
2013
Everyone's favorite cowdog is back in this latest hilarious escapade. When Hank finally gets fed up with Pete the Barncat's sneaky tricks, he challenges Pete to a round of the dreaded Deadly Ha-Ha Game. Winning the game demands iron will and steely determination, and Hank knows that he's got what it takes to win. But when it comes to facing off against Rip and Snort, the coyote brothers, it's a whole different story. Suddenly, the Deadly Ha-Ha Game is no laughing matter!
#38
The Fling
2001
It's bad enough when Hank accidentally gets trapped in a cattle trailer and ends up stranded in town. Then he gets picked up by the local dog catcher and locked in a cage. But just when it looks like things couldn't get any worse, Hank meets up with Dogpound Ralph and the two dogs break free and strike out on the adventure of a lifetime. Suddenly, life just couldn't be any better. Or could it?"The best family entertainment in years."-USA Today.
#39
The Secret Laundry Monster Files
2013
Hank the Cowdog is back! This time, things start to heat up when a strange flapping noise leads to a midnight investigation of the ranch. Before he knows it, Hank finds himself caught up with his old friend Eddy the Rac and face-to-face with one of a dog's greatest the dreaded laundry monster. Could it mean the end for everyone's favorite Head of Ranch Security-or is it just Eddy up to his old tricks? One thing's for sure, Hank will keep readers laughing out loud with this latest installment to the popular series.
"The best family entertainment in years." ( USA Today )
#40
The Case of the Missing Bird Dog
2002
Quail season has just begun, and already there's trouble on the ranch. When a wayward bird dog goes missing, Hank takes off in search of him-and finds himself face-to-face with an angry mother hog and her litter. If that isn't bad enough, before Hank knows it, his arch-enemies the coyote brothers appear on the scene. Can Hank's quick wits and supple reflexes help him out of this fix? Or will Hank become hogmeat? Find out in this latest adventure starring everyone's favorite Head of Ranch Security.
Illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes.
"The best family entertainment in years." ( USA Today )
#41
The Case of the Shipwrecked Tree
2003
When pirates are discovered on the ranch, it's Hank the Cowdog's job to check the situation out. But Hank has no idea what a run-in with pirates can lead to. Before he knows it, he's up a tree in Little Alfred's treehouse pirate ship-facing imminent disaster as a vicious storm approaches. Can he find a way out of this one? Or is Hank destined to be marooned on the high seas forever? Find out in this latest adventure starring everyone's favorite Head of Ranch Security.
Illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes.
#42
The Case of the Burrowing Robot
2003
It's been twenty years since the first Hank the Cowdog book was published, and the series has been going strong ever since. Hank has faced every hardship imaginable-natural disaster, disease, and all kinds of monsters. But in The Case of the Burrowing Robot, he finds himself up against a creature he's never seen before-and boy is it scary! Someone-or something, a bizarre robot with beady eyes and a full suit of armor-is digging up the garden. Hank is on the case immediately, but before he can put an end to the armored creature's antics, he gets blamed for the crime. Can Hank dig his way out of this mess, or has he burrowed too deep? Find out in the latest adventure starring everyone's favorite Head of Ranch Security.
#43
The Case of the Twisted Kitty
2004
It's winter in the Texas Panhandle, and the ranch is covered in snow and ice. So when Sally May sets off for town, Hank decides to follow Pete's misguided advice and bravely escorts her car down the slick road. Before Hank realizes what's happening, Sally May's car skids into a snow drift-and she is angrier than ever before. And who does she blame but poor Hank! After consulting with his trusty partner, Drover, Hank decides the only way to win back Sally May's affection is to be on his absolute best behavior. Will Hank be able to turn over a new leaf and become the well-mannered dog that every owner dreams of?
#44
The Dungeon of Doom
2004
It’s Hank’s job to clear the ranch of all intruders—and that includes gophers. But when Hank’s efforts causes a stampede in the middle of the cattle roundup, Loper decides that he wants Hank to learn some manners, so he’s sending him to—gulp!—Obedience School. To Hank, this sounds like torture, complete with dank dungeons, torches burning on the walls, and menacing instructors who wield etiquette like weapons. Will he survive?
#45
The Case of the Falling Sky
2005
After Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, collects clues from the chickens and the cat that indicate that the sky will fall, he springs into action to keep the ranch safe.
#46
The Case of the Tricky Trap
2012
Someone has been getting into the feed in the feed shed, and Slim has putout a trap for the offending party. As Head of Ranch Security, Hank knows it's his job to check the trap and help Slim nail the culprit. Unfortunately, the trap is a bit trickier than Hank expected, and when he finds himself face-to-face with none other than his old buddy Eddy the Rac, Hank's in a rather compromising position. Can Eddy help Hank out, or does the cunning coon have only his own best interests in mind?
#47
The Case of the Tender Cheeping Chickies
2006
Hank runs into a dispute with a giant bullfrog over the Emerald Pond. Then, there's a battle with a, well, let's just say a Monster. It's too scary to even tell what kind of monster it is However, things get really tough when Hank is entrusted with the job of guarding Little Alfred's soon-to-be prize winning chicks. They're cute, but they also look delicious Will Hank be able to put aside his doggie instincts for the sake of a job well done? Or will his appetite finally get the best of him? Hear Hank sing two new songs, "Temptation" and "Guarding the Chickies."
#48
The Case of the Monkey Burglar
2006
Sally May takes the family on a vacation, but there’s never a dull moment on the ranch. Hank learns about a tool thief on the loose who uses a monkey to help him do his dirty work. And before long, Hank finds himself face-to-face with the pilfering primate! Can Hank catch the criminals, or will the crooks make a monkey out of him?
#49
The Case of the Booby-Trapped Pickup
2012
There’s never a dull moment when Hank the Cowdog is around. In this next installment to the long-running series, Hank gets the ride of his life when Slim’s pickup truck breaks down and they end up with a brand-new model on loan while the old one gets fixed. But a ranch dog like Hank isn’t used to power windows and door locks, and he manages to get himself in a whole heap of trouble with just one push of a button! Will Hank be able to find a way out of this latest mess?
#50
The Case of the Most Ancient Bone
2012
This is no ordinary, run-of-the-mill ranch intrigue. No sir, this is a real, honest-to-goodness archaeological adventure! When an old friend of Slim’s starts an archaeological dig near the ranch, it doesn’t take long before little Alfred gets caught up in the excitement. And once Alfred manages to get himself invited to the dig, it isn’t long before Hank follows. Hank finds himself face-to-face with the most ancient of bones—a huge bison bone that Hank just knows has been aged to delicious perfection. Hank should be protecting the bone, but can he keep his doggie instincts at bay and uphold his position? Will the most ancient of bones get the best of Hank?
#51
The Case of the Blazing Sky
2008
In this latest installment to the long-running series, the weather on Hank’s west Texas ranch is hot and dry. So dry, in fact, that they’ve got to be on the lookout for prairie fires. So Hank bravely takes on the role of Head of Fire Safety and gets to work. But patrolling for fires is dull, and it’s hard to do on an empty stomach. Despite a minor culinary distraction, though, Hank—through grit and determination—is able to keep focused on the job. And it’s a good thing he does, because sure enough, things on the ranch start to heat up....
#52
The Quest for the Great White Quail
2008
Everyone knows that a dog’s gotta chew what a dog’s gotta chew. But when Hank’s doggie urges have him chomping on plastic—including Little Alfred’s toy truck—Hank knows he’s got to get things under control. Then Beulah—the long-eared lady dog of his dreams—shows up at the ranch, and Hank is thrilled. At last, he thinks, she’s finally given up her infatuation with Plato the Bird Dog. But it turns out that Plato is missing, and Beulah wants Hank to help find him. Can he put his doggie dreams aside and do the right thing? And will hunting for Plato help with his chewing problem? It’s all in a day’s work for everyone’s favorite Head of Ranch Security!
#53
Drover's Secret Life
2009
For twenty-five years, readers have enjoyed watching Drover—Hank’s trusty sidekick—try to finagle himself out of every dangerous situation that arises on the ranch. But what happened before Drover came to the ranch? Well, it’s all here—from his early days as runt of the litter through his fruitless search for a job to his ultimate position as Hank’s right-paw man. Drover?s Secret Life is a must-read for all fans of this long-running series.
#54
The Case of the Dinosaur Birds
2009
It's scrap day on the ranch - a glorious day for Hank, his sidekick, Drover, and Pete the Barncat. But when two very unusual-looking creatures fly overhead, the glorious day takes a sudden turn for the worse. Suddenly the scraps have vanished and the Head of Ranch Security finds himself dealing with an invasion by a couple of ancient dinosaur birds! There's never a dull moment when Hank the Cowdog is around...
#55
The Case of the Secret Weapon
2010
Hank the Cowdog is at it again! There?s a burglar on the loose, and he?s robbing houses with the help of a super-sneaky, superstinky secret weapon. As Head of Ranch Security, Hank knows it?s his job to protect the ranch and all the buildings on it. So when a suspicious character comes sniffing around Slim?s bachelor shack, Hank heads right into action. But does Hank have what it takes to save the day?even after getting caught in the line of fire?
#56
The Case of the Coyote Invasion
2010
Hank's in trouble again, but when he tries to apologize to Sally May, she just doesn't get the message. Before Hank has a chance to convince her, he learns that the ranch is being targeted for a major invasion from the dreaded coyotes. Does Hank have what it takes to save his reputation and protect the ranch?
#57
The Disappearance of Drover
2012
Hank and Drover are excited when a quick nap in the back of Slim's pickup turns into a trip to town. But the excitement turns to drama when they find themselves at the livestock show-and Drover decides to take off to visit his mother. Can Hank track down his faithful sidekick before Slim heads back to the ranch? Or is he off on a wild goose chase?
#58
The Case of the Mysterious Voice
2012
When an odd twist of events brings a parrot to the ranch, Hank and Drover are not worried. After all, what harm can one mimicking bird do? So Hank decides to go about his business and do whatever Sally May and Loper ask him to. The only problem is, they don't seem to appreciate his heeding their requests to bark louder or dig up the flowers. What's really going on? Hank's not sure, but he's determined to get to the bottom of it!
"The best family entertainment in years." - USA Today
#59
The Case of the Perfect Dog
2012
Hank is helping the cowboys with the dangerous mission of rounding up a very angry bull when a strange twist of events brings a yellow Labrador onto the scene. The entire ranch quickly becomes enamored with this new addition to the ranch's Security Division. Who wouldn't love a good-natured dog who strikes fear into the hearts of angry bovine, wears a big sloppy grin all day, and adores the ranch kids? Where will Hank fit in now that there is a Perfect Dog on the scene? Hank sings a little thing called "Happy Dog," and the yellow Labrador sings his story in "Happy's Confession."
#60
The Big Question
2012
It's the day before Christmas, and Loper and Sally May have left Slim to manage the ranch while they go off to visit relatives for the holidays. But, just when it begins to look like another boring bachelor Christmas with Slim, a storm blows in and the electric fence separating a herd of steers from the highway shorts out. Now it's up to Slim, Viola and the ranch's Security Division to jump into action! Things take a surprising twist when Slim comes down with a burning fever in the middle of the operation, but nobody, and especially not Miss Viola, could have been prepared for the even bigger surprise that transpires on the way to the hospital!
#61
The Case of the Prowling Bear
2013
Everyone knows that bears live in the mountains…and there are no mountains in the Texas Panhandle. So, when Slim claims to have seen a bear cross the road, no one knows what to believe, that is, until Deputy Kile spreads a report that there really is a bear on the loose in Ochiltree County! With news like this, the ranch’s Security Force goes on Red Alert. Will Hank be able to defend the ranch from a raging, prowling bear?
#62
The Ghost of Rabbits Past
2013
Talk about a rude awakening! Things go from bad to worse when Hank and Drover wake up in the wee hours of the morning to a full-fledged invasion of the ranch. It’s the coyotes, and they’re set on making a take-out dinner out of the resident cat, Pete. But, when Hank does Pete a favor and prepares to join him in what promises to be the next great Battle of the Alamo, things take an even more unexpected turn. The coyotes catch sight of Drover and decide to kidnap him instead! In the blink of an eye, little Drover is taken prisoner, and that means that Hank only has one day to figure out how to get him back before the coyotes make Drover their meal. Can Hank manage to get Slim to understand the situation, or will he have to go it alone? Or, will he get help from a very unexpected ally?
#63
The Return of the Charlie Monsters
2014
In this exciting case, Hank falls victim to a series of sneaky first, a Turkey Debacle endangers his relationship with Sally May, then, a case of poisoning puts him at death's doornail, and finally, a disastrous ride to town almost finishes him off. As each terrible event takes its toll on his reputation - not to mention his dignity - Hank begins to notice a pattern. Could it be that an evil mastermind is behind these plots? As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, Hank narrows down the pool of suspects and finds himself drawn into a deep, dark conspiracy orchestrated by his mortal enemy...or is it mortal enemies?
#64
The Case of the Three Rings
2014
It’s New Year's Eve day on the ranch, and Slim and Miss Viola are both having second thoughts about their engagement - but for what reasons? Viola returns the lock-washer ring Slim had given her a week before, but before Slim can fix things, Uncle Johnny asks for his help with a “little job.”
Like all of Uncle Johnny’s “little jobs,” this one ends up being a lot more than Slim signed-up for, and the day’s events put him in a race against the clock. Will he make it to dinner at Viola’s house in time to straighten things out, or will Hank and Drover live the rest of their doggy lives without ever seeing Miss Viola again?
#65
The Almost Last Roundup
2015
Hank the Cowdog has seen dry summers in his years as the Head of Ranch Security, but nobody on the ranch has seen a drought like this. Ponds have dried up, the creek is down to a trickle, pastures have turned to burned toast, and the cows are kicking up clouds of dust. Then, to top it all off, Pete the Barncat hatches a dastardly plot to ruin Loper’s birthday! The last thing the cowboys need is a prairie fire, but that’s what they get, and it begins to look like the next roundup might be their last. What the ranch really needs is a good rain to bring back the grass . . . and Loper’s good mood!
#66
The Christmas Turkey Disaster
2015
Hank is in real trouble this time. Loper and Sally May’s relatives are coming for Christmas dinner, and Sally May has been working to get the entire ranch in order – including preparing for the Christmas feast. Unfortunately, when she discovers that the turkey she bought has met a terrible end, she pins the blame on Hank! Is he the guilty party? Or have more sinister forces been at work to frame him for the crime? Later that day things seem to be looking up, that is, until the replacement Christmas turkey “flies the coop” too, landing Hank in even deeper trouble! Can an act of true heroism right the terrible wrong and salvage Hank’s reputation, or is he doomed to spend the rest of his doggie days in exile?
#67
Wagons West
2016
It’s early springtime on the ranch, and Hank is going through the usual motions of making sure that a warm spring arrives safely: singing songs about it, barking faithfully each morning, and helping the cowboys with their work around the ranch. However, in the midst of a particularly hard day’s nap, he receives a report that his little birdy friend, Madame Moonshine, is in danger of being eaten by Pete the Barncat! Naturally, Hank springs into action to save her, but a misstep brings the wrath of Sally May down on his head, and Hank must flee the scene of the rescue and travel west on the Oregon Trail with Little Alfred. Later, when a freak storm causes the creek to rise, stranding Little Alfred far from the house, Hank must rely on his instincts and clever wits—and perhaps a little help from Madame Moonshine—to keep them both safe and get Alfred back to his mother!
#68
The Secret Pledge
2016
Of all the mysteries Hank has faced in his illustrious career as the Head of Ranch Security, the only one that still has him truly stumped is the key to unlocking Miss Beulah’s heart. Why on earth would she go for a bird-brained bird dog when a specimen like Hank stands ready to sweep her off her feet? Could there be more to this problem than meets the eye? When Plato wanders off Billy’s ranch and Beulah discovers he’s lost, she tries to enlist Hank’s help to rescue him, and this presents Hank with a real moral Will he help find his rival, or will he leave Plato to face the dangers of coyote country by nightfall alone?
#69
The Case of the Wandering Goats
2017
Everyone knows that a cowboy will rope anything that moves: cows, dogs, cats, bales of hay, unsuspecting fellow-cowboys... So, when some local goats escape their pen and turn up near Wolf Creek, Deputy Kile knows just who to ask to help him round them up: Slim Chance.
Hank and Slim spring into action and go in search of the lost goats, but they could never have foreseen the dangers and surprises they’d face in the course of this rodeo rescue mission. Who is this mysterious and majestic sheep-king and his subjects that Hank finds? And, if they aren’t the little show-goats Deputy Kile described, what are they doing on the ranch? This may not be Hank’s first rodeo, but it’s certainly the strangest!
#70
The Case of the Troublesome Lady
2017
It’s a blustery day in late fall, and Hank decides to sneak into the back of Slim’s pickup and hitch a ride with the cowboys to a neighbor’s fall branding. However, instead of running into either Miss Viola or the beautiful Miss Beulah the Collie, as he’d hoped, Hank finds himself on Baxter’s ranch! Things aren’t all bad though, since Baxter happens to be the very cowboy who owns the gorgeous Miss Scamper the Beagle! Unfortunately for Hank, Miss Scamper has always been a little hard to figure out, and he can’t decide if she’s crazy about him…or just plain crazy. And, as the day unfolds, it even begins to look like she’s angling to land him in a heap of trouble with her pit bull boyfriend, Steel!
#71
The Case of the Monster Fire
2018
After his many years as a typical bachelor cowboy, Slim Chance is convinced—against his will—that he needs to build his own herd of cattle and invest in the future. So, he takes the plunge, takes out a loan, and takes his newly-bought heifers to a pasture on Viola’s father’s ranch. But, just about the time his new herd is calved-out and his investment is beginning to look promising, the dry and windy weather conditions put the entire county on High Alert for fire danger. Hank is sure that he and Slim can defend the ranch against anything that comes their way, that is, until they come face-to-face with a wildfire unlike any grass fire they’ve seen before. Will Slim be able to get the cattle to safety in time? And, more importantly, what about Slim himself? You won’t want to miss this hair-raising and heart-warming tale of cowboy-bravery, true heroism, and the blessings of friends and community!
#72
The Case of the Three-Toed Sloth
2018
Pete the Barncat isn't known for his reliable story-telling, but when his report about a strange, tree-devouring creature is corroborated by another source—namely J.T. Cluck, the ranch's head rooster—Hank decides to investigate. However, just as the plot begins to thicken, Pete claims that it was all a joke and that the creature, a Three-Toed Tree Sloth, was really just a porcupine! Fortunately, Hank realizes that that's just what a sneaky cat would say to throw him off the trail, and his continued investigation soon leads him to a strange, bumbling little creature—the Tree Sloth at last! With the finely-tuned instincts of a Head of Ranch Security, Hank realizes that he must arrest this intruder! However, things don't turn out quite like he'd planned, and Hank soon has a very serious problem on his hands...
#73
The Case of the Buried Deer
2019
Happy the Lab is back on the ranch, and it looks like he’s up to his usual good-natured, bumbling ways! And, it just so happens that he has wandered onto Hank’s ranch on a particularly exciting day: rain has finally come to their drought-stricken land, and – what’s even more exciting – radio reports claim that there’s a mountain lion on the prowl in their area!
As the day unfolds, it appears that the mountain lion report was bogus, which is a good thing, since Hank already has his paws full surviving a bout of food-poisoning and a treacherous investigation of the machine shed, not to mention keeping an eye on Hap! Nevertheless, while Hank might find Hap a little exasperating at times, this latest adventure proves that a loyal lab is a great friend to have by your side when the going gets tough…then again, so is a cowdog!
#74
The Frozen Rodeo
2020
It’s early January on Hank’s ranch when Slim and Loper receive word that an ice storm is headed their way. However, just as they’re about to prepare the cattle and stock tanks at the ranch to safely weather the storm, Deputy Kile calls with some bad news. It seems that one of their electric fences has short-circuited, and some of their wheat pasture steers have strayed into town and onto the Twitchell golf course! Slim saddles up his horse and heads off to retrieve the steers—with Hank’s help of course—but a few mishaps delay his cowboying just long enough to coat Twitchell in ice and turn his steer-roping adventure into a rip-roaring frozen rodeo!
#75
The Case of the Red Rubber Ball
2020
Fall is an important time of year on a ranch, mostly because it means that winter is coming soon! And, on Hank’s ranch, that means that the cake house is about to be filled with bags of feed to get the cattle through the long frozen days ahead.
Unfortunately, this particular feed-delivery is accompanied by a town mutt named Roy, who gets Hank into big trouble with some local yellow jacket wasps. Once the cake house is full, Slim puts Hank in charge of guarding their winter supply from marauding coons - a responsibility that could only be handled by the elite forces of the Security Division.
However, when Hank suddenly finds himself pitted against the notorious Eddy the Rac, he realizes that this mission will require every ounce of cunning he possesses. Will Hank be able to keep the cake house safe, or will Eddy’s sneaky tricks win the day?
#76
The Case of the Missing Teeth
2021
Slim's phone doesn't ring very often, so on the rare occasions that it does he's usually in for an adventure! This time it's a search and rescue operation for Miss Viola's father, Woodrow, who went missing while making his daily rounds of the pastures. Unfortunately, the mission led by Hank, Slim, and Deputy Kile comes to a screeching halt when an unexpected Texas downpour turns the ranch roads to mud and strands their vehicles in a ditch. Now, it's up to Viola to save the day and get the search team back on track. But, when the rain finally lets up, they soon realize that the most bizarre part of this day wasn't something any of them could have predicted!
#77
The Case of the Lost Camp
2022
Slim Chance is in a bad mood. In fact, he's been in a bad mood for a few months now, and it looks like it might become a permanent condition. The ranch has been in the middle of one of the worst droughts it's ever seen, and when the clouds do finally decide to let down a little rain, the last thing Slim wants to hear is that Deputy Kile got more rain than he did. Things are looking pretty bleak until Little Alfred asks his dad to take him fishing, and Slim winds up having to go in Loper's place. However, to everyone's surprise, the camping expedition turns out to be more exciting than Little Alfred had anticipated, including some great fishing and a bit of unexpected weather!
#78
The Incredible Ice Event
2022
Woodrow, Slim’s future father-in-law, is a man of few words. So, when he takes the trouble to warn Slim about an Arctic cold front that is about to descend on the Texas Panhandle, Hank knows the ranch is in for a rough time. In that kind of cold, everything quits working: pipes freeze, diesel pickups don’t start, power lines break, cattle suffer, and stock tanks freeze over.
And, while the dogs in town might be able to spend that kind of week camped out in front of a warm fire, the Head of Ranch Security has to be sure that the cattle have access to food and water! Will Slim and Loper be able to keep the ice at bay, or will the stock tanks freeze solid and drive the herd mad with thirst? There’s only one way to find out!
#101
Hank the Cowdog
A condensed version
1986
John Erickson created this condensed book when he found out how hugely popular Hank was with younger readers. "I have done this in the hopes of making Hank the Cowdog and all this friends available to a wider and younger audience, without tampering with whatever it is that made it work in the bgeinning."
#103
Hank the Cowdog Pack 2
2008
Authors
John R. Erickson
Author · 95 books
John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years." Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks. When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans. Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."
