Hank’s Buckshot Bondhu was his name. He handled his celebrity status with an air of dignity and grace. Just about any day you could see him around town accompanying me. He rarely missed a day of work at Ziegler Funeral Home where he met young and old with the same subdued acceptance. Whether it was meeting the mailman to retrieve the mail, or comforting someone during their time of loss, he always put a smile on everyone’s face. All who knew him remarked at his exceptional poise and beauty. I was happy to share him for a time with everyone we met.

He fell asleep July 23. He lived for almost 14 years; great years filled with great memories. I called him, “Buck.”