In honour of Hank
Couple writes book about bullying, starring their dog
TRURO, N.S. - A little dog with allergies has inspired a children’s book which has been flying off the shelves.
Hank’s T-Shirt, a book Sam Madore and Joey Schurman wrote about their Boston terrier, was released this spring and is now almost sold out.
“I was surprised by the response,” said Madore. “I always wanted to write a kids’ book and I feel there’s a lot people can learn from dogs about kindness.”
She understands the effect of bullying, having experienced it herself while in junior high.
Schurman works with children and has seen bullying firsthand.
“It starts at a young age,” he said. “It’s important for children to hear the message early so they don’t bully someone without thinking. The main message is that everybody has differences and people should respect the differences, and a high percentage of kids love dogs, so this is a nice way to get a message across.”
One of Hank’s most obvious differences was that he often wore a T-shirt because of his allergies.
Before the book was released, the couple lost their beloved dog to cancer.
“Having this to focus on was good,” said Madore. “Losing him was really challenging for us and this is a great way to honour him. Hank had a lot of personality and touched a lot of people. Amanda Bent illustrated the book and she did a great job capturing his personality.”
The other dogs in Hanks’s TShirt are real dogs the authors have connected with. Hank’s vet, Dr. Melissa AuCoin, is also included.
Because they enjoyed sharing their lives with Hank so much, Madore and Schurman have added Bert, another Boston terrier, to their family.
Hank’s T-Shirt will be reprinted later in the year and will be available at Truro Veterinary Hospital, My Home Mercantile and Enchanted Forest, as well as online at www.thesammadore.ca/hanks-t-shirt.html