My family lived in a small town in Texas during mine and my siblings junior high and high school years and our beloved Brittany Spaniel, Maggie was our greatest friend and companion. Once we all moved away for college she became attached to my dad and she was his best friend in the world. She was with him no matter what and he loved her so much. Living in the country and being a hunting dog she was out roaming on a daily basis and had been bit by rattle snakes a couple of times and was fine. In 1998 she was bit again and this time she didn’t fair as well, the doctor told my parents he thought she may have had a stroke because of the bite. She was left with paralysis on her left hind side and so she limped around, but she kept on going. My parents moved to Houston in early 1999 and Maggie was right there with them. The area was new to her and she was old, losing her hearing a bit and maybe her eysight and of course the limp. She got out of the gate one morning and because she didn’t have her new address and phone number on her collar and she looked like she’d been hit by a car a neighbor of my parents’ picked her up and took her to a vet and instead of trying to find the owners they put Maggie to sleep all alone and without my family’s knowledge. My dad searched and searched for her and when he finally found the person that had taken our Maggie and had her put to sleep he was heartbroken like never before. He spent several years mourning her and was unable to welcome another friend into his life until 3 years ago when my parents got their Springer Spaniel, Brutus. Brutus has helped heal my dad and they are the greatest of friends. My mom got him Rescuing Sprite for Christmas 2 years ago and it was also a healing tool for my dad. I unfortunately don’t have a picture of Maggie, but she was a beautiful liver and white Brittany Spaniel.

Robbin from TX

Lotsa my friend
You made me smile
Though we were togather
for such a short while
Each day you did something
that made me grin
It was only your illness
that let sadness in
Brave, dignified you did your best
So i had to be brave and let you go rest
A part of my heart you took with you that day
in what\’s left of my heart
I\’ve told you to stay

In loving memoty of my great dalmatinan Lotsa Spots

I Love you Lotsa

I just read Rescuing Sprite.  Oh, how I cried with you, oh, how I know the pain of losing a beloved pet.  I too do rescue, mainly Pug rescue.  I must tell you about my special Rescue Boy, \”Charlie\”  I have three pugs, one a rescue girl.  I was called in to foster a Pug/Cocker Spaniel Mix named Charlie who was 1-1/2 years old and had been bounced around to three different homes already.  Charlie was my \”Sprite.\”  I turned down many a potential adopter who I just did not feel fit the match.  Secretely, I was hoping NOBODY would match and we could keep him.  One day while I had Charlie in the Pet Store to pick out a special treat for him, the owner told me of a couple, both doctors, who were looking for a rescue dog.  He wanted a Cocker Spaniel, she wanted a pug.  BINGO!  Charlie was both — he has a Cocker head and Pug body and he\’s solid black.  Needless to say, they were a perfect match.  I cried for days when they came to take him.  But he has such a wonderful home and they love him to pieces.  The bonus, I get to \”Dog Sit\” him whenever they travel.  He looks at me and I swear he\’s telling me, it\’s OK, I\’m happy, Mom!  The couple have since had twins and Charlie is so happy with his Babies!  Charlie will always be my special boy.

Jan from CT

Mark,

As you might know Afghanistan can be a lonely place where thousands of soldiers miss their families and most certainly their dogs. Well, here is Phoenix, he is what we call a FOB dog. Phoenix was here before we got here but he has become a most valuable asset to myself and my MEDEVAC crew.

After a long mission rescuing wounded men, women and children from the violent battlefield of Afghanistan we are welcomed home by our new found friend.

We feed him well, ensure his shots are up to date and every once in a while, as long as he lets us, we give him a bath.

Dogs have always been an important part of my life. Now more than ever I appreciate the devout friendship you can share with friend like Phoenix.

C Co. 1-168 MEDEVAC
“Gambling Our Lives To Save Yours”

Stephen in Afghanistan