Mark – I am half way thru your book about Sprite and I can’t quit crying. I, too, rescued a dog from the SPCA in 1988, a week after my mom died. Bud, a Cocker Sheltie mix, was around 2 yrs old when he came to live with me. In the 17 yrs. that he was with me, I got married, got divorced and was forced to be on my own for the first time in my life. It would have been a lot harder if I had not had Bud to keep me going. At 10 yrs of age, he was diagnosed with a type of Lymphoma. The vet said he would need surgery to remove some tumors that if not removed, would eventually prohibit him from walking, as they were between his front legs and chest. I didn’t even think twice about it. 10 surgeries and a load of credit card debt later, a new tumor had formed on his groin area and the vet told me this one would be inoperable. He told me I could put him down at that time or wait until he got worse. I wasn’t ready to hear this news. Only a couple of days went by after that vet visit, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. He was at the point where he didn’t want to be touched or held or even have his belly rubbed. I took him that day to be put to sleep and will never forget how peaceful he looked as he died. That was the hardest day of my life but I will never forget him as long as I live. He was the best friend a person could have asked for.

Diann from PA