Book 17 ( )

Sadly, my local library doesn't have an audio copy of The Case of the Car-Barkaholic Dog, so I had to check out the print version. As I discovered when the same thing happened with an earlier book, being able to see the illustrations doesn't make up for not being able to hear the voices, the sound effects, the background music, and having the original songs actually sung.

Still, I enjoyed the book. Hank and Drover sneak a ride with Slim Chance to Waterhole 83, a real place in Perryton, Texas. There Hank runs afoul of the driver of an 18-wheeler and misses his ride home. This gives him the opportunity to visit his sister, Maggie, and her children: Roscoe, Spot, April, and Barbara.

Hank is an overconfident dog. Before he makes it to Maggie's home he finds out why you shouldn't feed chicken bones to a dog and makes an enemy of Rambo, the neighborhood bully. Rambo is a Great Dane who has been making Maggie and her pups miserable. (Because this is wholesome family entertainment, Rambo demands only a kiss from Maggie.) Hank reminds his kin what it means to be a Real Cowdog, but Rambo will return.

How Hank makes sure Rambo won't make good on his threats was pretty funny. We also get to see Dogpound Ralph the sleepy basset hound again. ( )