A Memoir for Family and Friends
by Thomas H. Hawks II
Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, survivor, or someone navigating life’s unexpected detours, this is a story of wholehearted connection, legacy, and finding light in the darkest places.
What happens when the life you planned is interrupted by the diagnosis you feared most?
In The Hawks Tale, Tom Hawks II shares a powerful and deeply human account of living with stage 4 pancreatic cancer—and discovering unexpected meaning along the way. From his early days as the quiet youngest child in a large family, to the moment he found his voice through student leadership, to decades of entrepreneurship, community service, and fatherhood, Tom has always led with heart.
But everything changed with one doctor’s appointment—and a life-threatening diagnosis.
This memoir is not just about cancer. It’s about what comes before and next—the emotional reckoning, the resilience, the transformation, and the quiet triumph of choosing to live with purpose even in the face of uncertainty. Through reflection, humor, honesty, and hope, Tom invites readers into a story that is at once personal and universal.
And this story continues. Stay tuned for Tom’s next book, I’m Not Dead Yet!—a bold and uplifting call to action that not only shares his journey, but also shines a light on the power of cancer coaching advocacy. Tom champions the role of coaching as a bridge between medical care and emotional survival—helping patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals find strength, clarity, and hope beyond the treatments.
👉 Join the movement. Visit Tommy2Dogs.com, learn more about cancer coaching advocacy, and be among the first to get your copy of I’m Not Dead Yet! when it launches.
“Great history that should be preserved. Very inspirational for everyone. Highly recommend!”
Brenda Stoker
“I'd rate the book 4/5. and enjoyed reading it. I knew you'd been through a lot, and certainly understand how emotional and spiritual health are so important . I can't imagine what it must feel like to accept being at the Palliative Care stage. But if you believe in the immortality of the soul, and a hereafter, it's just another journey! I'm sure your book will be an inspiration to folks with a cancer diagnosis.”
Rose Hogan
““I really enjoyed reading your book…it was excellent. The way you wrote about family and friends make them feel so real and relatable, and gave the story a lot of heart. What struck me most was how you wove the theme of “showing up” throughout the book — it’s a message that stuck with me and the one I think will connect deeply with others. You should be proud of what you created, and I’m looking forward to what you’ll write next.””
Chuck Hughes
“Thomas H. Hawks II is a champion…a Champion at Life that is. One may ask, “What constitutes being a champion?” Is it someone who always seems to win, or is it someone who continues to persevere, in spite of the challenges he or she may encounter along Life’s Path? Tom is just such a person! Fifteen years ago, Tom’s life was altered when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a curve ball he never expected to be thrown. Rather than succumb to what his fate might have been, Tom faced this challenge with optimism, courage, and hope! He found this innate strength through the connections he had formed with family, friends, and the fellowship of others.”
Patrice Lysell
“We ordered while on “vacation” in Sweden with all the family, where we rented a house for two weeks. We got back Wednesday last week and Pat had first dibs on the book when we got the “hold mail.” I got my hands on it Sunday, and by the evening I had finished it because I was captivated by your story. It was a very easy read from a writing style perspective, without “glossing over” your arduous fight against the cancer. It’s a tough subject, and a reader might be tempted to take frequent breaks. Since I didn’t take breaks, you obviously managed to keep me reading, which I attribute to keeping me interested in your mental struggle, and how your family relations must have helped immensely.”
Bo Lysell
“A Hawks Tale is a wonderful memoir of our family, legacy, and heartfelt history grounded in the Finger Lakes region. I enjoyed reading it very much and know others will also! ”
Katie Hawks Brahm
Every book, every conversation, every gathering through Tommy2Dogs is rooted in one truth: stories heal, connect, and keep our legacies alive.
Soon to be released, I’m Not Dead Yet! is Tom Hawks II’s most personal offering yet—a candid, hope-filled reflection on what it means to live fully while facing mortality honestly. Blending story, humor, faith, and hard-earned wisdom, the book invites readers into the raw and tender moments of his cancer journey, not to inspire pity, but to spark courage, connection, and presence. It is both a hand on the shoulder and a gentle nudge forward—a reminder that even in uncertainty, life can still be rich with meaning, laughter, and love.
by Thomas H. Hawks II
A Day in the Life of Milo and Zoey is more than a lighthearted romp — it’s a tribute to the unbreakable bond between a man and his dogs, the comfort of routine, and the joy that comes from sharing your days (and your bed) with two loyal best friends.
Two Dogs. One Electric Car.
A Journey That Changed Everything
by Thomas H. Hawks II
Climb Every Mountain is more than an adventure—it’s a lesson in courage, friendship, and perseverance. Milo, Zoey, Piper, Kya, and Grandpa-T remind us that every challenge feels easier when faced together, that rest and patience are just as important as determination, and that reaching the summit means more when shared with those you love.
by Thomas H. Hawks II
Max’s Digger is a new story in the beloved Milo and Zoey Adventure Series, where two playful Weimaraner dogs team up with their young friend Max for a day full of fun, teamwork, and discovery.
by Thomas H. Hawks II