Mark, I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite and all through it, I sobbed! I honestly could only read a few pages at a time and I’d have to put it down. I bought your book this past summer after I saw you on Hannity and Colmes. I, too, am an animal lover and the picture of Sprite on the cover had such a resemblance to my Lexie, whose picture I have attached. I found Lexus romping around on the show room floor at South Bay Lexus when I worked as a switch board operator about 20 years ago. He just came out of nowhere! Literally, off busy Pacific Coast Hwy onto the marble floors of the showroom. I gave him a piece of cheese out of our refrigerator and called my husband to tell him I found our other dog, Jessie, a friend. Lexie was with my husband and me, through all our trials and tribulations, moving from Torrance to Redondo to Canyon Lake, acquiring lots of other pets along the way (Lexie had a “soft spot” for kittens). I wish I could write a book about him. I related to so much of how you felt about Spite, as I, too, have felt that way about Lexie. He was so special. In his later years, he had lumps all over his body – probably cancer and he had arthritis. I used to lay down with him and tell him that he’d never have to worry…that I would be with him until he left this world…that nothing would ever hurt him. My husband, Steve and I knew the time was getting close to having to put him to sleep, as Lexus was really slowing down.

One morning when Steve was at work, I went to check on Lexie and he wouldn’t come out of his house, he just popped his head out. I said, “Lexie, this is the day, isn’t it?” He looked at me so peacefully as if to say, “Yes, I’m ready.” I cut a piece of fur off of his curly chest and tried to get Lexie to come out of house. Emotionally, it was THE hardest thing I ever had to do. I called Steve, who trains horses and was in the middle of a lesson. He said he would meet me down at our animal hospital. When I got to the vet, Lexie didn’t want to come out of the car. He was big and I couldn’t lift him. I just sobbed! I couldn’t believe this was happening. I don’t know how I did it, but I did lift him out and he walked very slowly into the hospital. The staff knew we were coming. I just sat in the hospital and talked to Lexie telling him how much I loved him and that I would be with him. When the nurse asked me how old Lexus was, no words would come out of my mouth. I tried, but just as I was about to say “14”, a woman walked out of one of the offices into the lobby, holding a baby Golden Retriever. I just grabbed Lexie’s ears and covered my eyes as I cried. The doctor and staff were so caring and I am so glad I was there through Lexie’s last breath. Steve showed up. We held Lexie and stroked him while the drugs were administered. I remember the doctor telling Lexie that he was such a good boy and he reassured us we were doing the right thing. Steve and I cried A LOT…but to this day, I am SOOO glad I was there. Lexie was ready and he was so peaceful. There was no struggle…just peace. I felt that I was helping to ease Lexie’s pain and I felt no guilt…just the opposite. I felt it was a blessing. Just as it was a blessing for Sprite. Thanks for writing your book, Mark. It really brought back some great memories for me. Since Lexus has passed, 2 more pets came into our lives – Pickles and Happy, two little Pekingese mixes, of which we rescued. I have always had a “feeling” I would, but after reading your book, I am working on opening a dog rescue. Just a couple weeks ago, Lake Elsinore Friends of the Valley Animal Shelter had a terrible electrical fire in which 45 dogs and cats perished. I plan on going through some dog training classes, working with this local shelter and eventually opening my own rescue when Steve and I move to a horse ranch property – hopefully this summer. Because of Sprite, Lexie, Pickles, Happy…this world is a better place. I want to do my part to make it better for them. God Bless you, Mark!

Jenny from CA