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SaddleBrooke resident and author, Richard L. Hamilton, has written a story in collaboration with his grandson Sean. In Pals Forever a black Labrador tells the story of his adventurous and event filled life in rural Michigan. He is descended from AKC championship stock, and early on “Spadie Boy” shows his adopted family that he is worthy of his heritage.
You are fortunate if at some point in your life you have a pet that you can call your friend, and doubly fortunate if the pet can call you a friend. “Spadie Boy” was that kind of dog. In Pals Forever, he tells his story in his own words. Perhaps his recollections will cause you to reflect on the fond memories of your dog, or of a dog that was once your best friend, and to reflect on those long ago memories of you being his best friend. Join a black Labrador on his journey, and be reminded of the simple pleasures of raking leaves, only to play in the pile, and taking long walks just to see what might be stirring in the woods, or hunting upland game birds on a colorful warm autumn day. If you are not already convinced that having a dog will make you a better person, Spade will convince you.
The graphite pencil sketches by Sean L. Hamilton, the book’s illustrator, are a distinguishing feature of the book. His artistic renderings display thematic captions that draw the reader into the two-dozen narratives of “Spadie Boy’s” life.
Richard and his wife Ruth Ann have been SaddleBrooke residents since 1999. He is the author of Shiloh to Durham Station, 18th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment: With Captain Robert S. McMichael’s Civil War Letters; Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten, Michigan Cavalry in the Civil War: The Gettysburg Campaign; The Plant: Oh Quality Where Art Thou; and managing editor of A Man From Montana by Freeman Halverson. The books are available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com.
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