Doc, Willie, and the Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family
(A Hickory Doc's Tale)
by
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“Wait Patch!” Willie cawed. “I need to ask you something.” It was too late. Patch had disappeared through the doggy door. : Patch didn't tell me I couldn't go in the house. I'll just fly in and surprise her!
Patch came running out, just as Willie flew toward the pet door. Wham!
They collided head-on.
Willie bounced and tumbled through the air. He didn’t smash into the clay pot. He landed directly in the tough thorny leaves of the agave plant.
Yes, indeed, Willie’s little wings and body were now stuck between the stout, thick leaves.
Patch growled. “Willie, what are you doing? I told you I’d be back.”
Willie cawed. “I wanted to be in the people’s house so I could play with you. And . . . and eat some chow. But it’s harder to get in the house than to crash directly on these plants!”
Patch trotted over and used her teeth and paws to shake, tug, and free Willie.
The large flat leaves along with Willie dropped to the grass. “Caw, caw, Patch. Thanks, I guess.”
Patch stared at Willie. “You look funny. All I can see is your head and tail.”
“Glad I amuse you, Patch.”
Patch heard Zeke and Doc barking. “Zeke will be mad if he sees you fly in the house to eat his dog’s ‘delight’.”
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About the Book
Doc, Willie, and the Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family is the continuing humorous saga of five hunting dogs and their encounters with many different types of animals.
Doc and the pack discover that Willie, the crow with bad eyesight, has a big secret. Can Willie convince the pack he is part of their family? Will the pack discover what Willie’s big secret is? How does Zeke accept Willie’s gift? The adventure continues at the Lazy Dog Hacienda with Doc, Willie, and the pack.
Linda Harkey’s book, “The Remarkable Story of Willie the Crow”, left a lasting impression on my first grade students! Several months after reading the book we did a picture walk of the book and here are some of the responses I received from them about the book. “I learned about team effort.” “ It is always important to help our friends.” “ Don’t call people names.” “Help people who are hurt.” “ Don’t judge people by their cover.” “Be respectful to your family.” And “Don’t be mean to others.” They all loved the book and want another one!
—Rollinda Saunders, First Grade Teacher, Eagle Nest Elementary School
I wholeheartedly endorse Linda Harkey and her books! She was amazing with the children at the three library programs we had this summer. Linda has a great rapport with the kids and they can tell that she loves her books. The kids were enthralled with the stories and the activities we did with them after hearing the stories of Doc, Patch, Newt, Zeke, Willie, and BJ. The children were so excited to meet an author in person and I’m sure Linda has inspired a love of writing in several of them. I can’t wait until Linda’s newest book comes out and we can have another author visit from her!
—Melody Costa, Library Director, Shuter Library of Angel Fire
These hunting dogs jump off the page and come to life through Linda’s tales of their adventures as they face challenges in life. I am a second-grade teacher in Eagle Nest, New Mexico, and I also organize our public library summer reading program. Linda’s stories engaged our students in the lives of these dogs, sparking great discussions and learning activities about character development, sequencing, and elements of the story. One student brought a stuffed puppy dog named after Zeke to join the fun every week.
—Cindy Carr, NBCT, Second Grade Teacher, Eagle Nest Elementary School
About the Author
Linda Harkey is an award winning children’s author. She is a past teacher and an enthusiastic hunting dog owner for over 30 years. She spent over 22 years as a volunteer docent at two outstanding museums in Oklahoma – The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center and The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art. She was involved with the writing of curricula for children’s programs.
She has two children, three grandchildren and dogs. She lives with her husband (Michael) on Ocate Mesa in New Mexico.
Mike Minick, Illustrator, has been drawing ever since he was a young pup. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of fine arts degree. Mike currently owns a creative studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lives with his wife, Joey, and their two children.