Remembering Hank: The Biggest Heart at Ruff Ranch

It’s impossible to put into words how much Hank meant to us.

He was goofy, affectionate, incredibly sweet, and delightfully needy. Hank never met a person, dog, cat, or kitten he didn’t want to love. If there was a lap available, a hand willing to pet him, or another animal nearby who might be interested in a cuddle, Hank was there.

Hank was an American Bully who spent his entire life dealing with the consequences of irresponsible breeding. His body simply wasn’t built to support itself the way it should have been. He struggled with chronic ear infections and eventually needed surgery on both of his back knees because of his structure.

And then, far too soon, cancer took him from us.

But Hank never seemed to know that life had dealt him a difficult hand. And if he did, he certainly never let it define him.

Ruff Ranch’s Best Kitten Uncle

Of all the things we loved about Hank, watching him with our foster kittens may have been the sweetest.

Hank was a big, powerful dog, but with kittens, he was the gentlest of giants. Every new litter that came through Ruff Ranch seemed to understand immediately that Hank was safe.

Tiny kittens climbed on him, curled up against his enormous body, slept beside him, and generally treated him like a giant heated cat bed. Hank was perfectly happy to oblige.

He became their uncle, protector, cuddle buddy, and friend. Watching this enormous American Bully patiently love some of the tiniest and most vulnerable animals at the sanctuary told you everything you needed to know about who Hank was.

He had a giant head, a giant personality, and an even bigger heart.

A Life Filled With Love

Hank was happiest when he was close to the people and animals he loved. He would lean his entire body against you, put that enormous head in your lap, and make it perfectly clear that whatever amount of attention you were currently giving him was insufficient.

There was always room for one more cuddle.

Losing him left an enormous hole at Ruff Ranch. We wish his body had been as strong as his spirit. We wish we could have given him many more years of soft beds, kitten cuddles, and people to lean on.

But mostly, we’re grateful.

Grateful that Hank was ours. Grateful that we had the privilege of caring for him. And incredibly grateful for every ridiculous, affectionate, wonderful moment we had with our boy.

We also owe a very special thank you to Warren County Veterinary Clinic for the compassionate and exceptional care they gave Hank throughout his life. We will always be thankful for everything they did for him.

Run free, sweet Hank. We hope there are endless kittens waiting to nap beside you, plenty of soft beds to stretch out on, and all the love your giant heart deserves.

You were one of a kind, and Ruff Ranch will never be quite the same without you.