13+ years ago my boyfriend and I went to pic out a pup from a litter of purebreed golden retrievers. while all the other pups were trying to get your attention one sat right in front of me and stared at me. That was it. Barkley came home with us 2 weeks later and it has been nothing but love .

He doesn’t just greet you he dances when he sees you are home, comes out to the car to greet you and proudly leads you home. He has been my greatest source of joy and love for 13 + years and I feel empty and loss now that he has gone. I have heard it said that for those waiting in heven it is only a mater of seconds before we are reunited, I hope so I do not want him to be scared or alone, even thought I know that my dad will take care of him for me till I am there. But life streches out for so long in front of us, how to wait…

Christina from MI

On a hot summer day in ’94 I saw a strange animal running around in the woods behind my house. After some inspecting with the binoculars we figured out it was a little dog. We put a turkey trail outside that lead into the house and it worked like a charm. I was 18 years old. I am now 32 and on April 20th I had to put my Weasel to sleep. In those 14 years she stole my heart, along with everyone else’s that she ever came across.

My mom gave me your book a few months before she died and I read it crying along with all of your other readers/listeners. Thank you for sharing your story and for making me feel… well, not so alone.

I have been wanting to write this since the day she passed away, and I still can’t bring myself to say too much. I miss her tremendously everyday. I wear a necklace that has a little of her ashes in it, the front is inscribed with a W and the back says “Forever in my heart”.

We still have her “sister” her name is Val (Valentine) and she is a wonderful girl from a rescue, I am luckier than you Mark and she was advertised as a “Senior Dog” and she turned out to be a little younger :) And now she has a pesky little brother named Tank. Weasel was a chunky little dog and I affectionally called her my “Tank with Peg Legs” all the time. When my husband and I adopted a scruffy little 10# boy to help bring Val out of the funk of losing her sister we decided it was appropriate to name him after Weasel’s nick name.

My heart is still broken, I still cry all the time. But I am learning to live life without my Weasel.

Thanks for all of the posts from others… it helps!!

Liz from MN

Mark, I just read your book about Rescuing Sprite. What a wonderfull tribute to him. I am a dog lover too and have had two dogs who are now in doggy heaven, and currently have a bichon frise we adopted at six, and now is going on thirteen. They give so much love and loyality and ask for just the simple things. I think we are better people for having dogs.

I do know how hard it is to have to lose them, but think of all the time your had to enjoy him. Plus, they give one a daily walk which is so good for us. Im sure with time you will feel better. I wish you and your family all the best. I loved the picture on the back of Sprite looking at Pepsi. They are such loves.

Karen from IL

This is a picture of our wild child of a german shepard.she is so full of life,a joy to be with.she has got such a personality.loves our kids and the neighbors.she will play ball until she drops,and she good at catching it in mid air.we got her shortly after we had to put our doberman down,he was 11 when he developed prostate cancer.he hung on for another year,the last 3 months was rough.putting him down tore me to pieces.i sat with him until he took his last breath looking in his eyes,my little jakey boy.i don’t think i ever wept as hard as i did that day.

I could’nt bring myself to look for another dog,but my wife was insistent we go look at this litter of german shepard pups.she was the last one left all black with a top coat.she was so shy and cute we could’nt resist.little did we know what a pistol she is.the air of impending death had hung over our house for such a long time she was a breathe of new life our home really needed.she won’t ever replace our jake,he will always hold a special place in our hearts,but she has given our family so much love and companionship.her name is delilah.like samson @delilah.

Daniel from NY

1-7-2009- I just finished Rescuing Sprite. I had a wonderful Rottie/Black Lab mix I saved from the Humane Society named Wolfy 12 yrs ago. I had to make that tough but loving decision in May 2007 to make her suffering of cancer end with her in my arms. She fought until I told her in a firm voice “GO WOLFY” (I fear the tears well up as I write this). There still not a day that goes by that I do not think of her and what we’ve experienced together.

I wish she was still here to expeirence my new grandson, she loved children, gentle as a lamb with them. Although now I am a proud owner of a Pekingese, named Lucy, it’s not Wolfy. I allowed her to choose me was very selfish, I knew this breed could live to 16 yrs. At the time of Lucy choosing me I swear I would never ever love another pet again, but there she was all flat faced and curly wagging tail, how could any dog lover resist.

Lucy is a far cry from Wolfy in all ways, that still doesnt stop me from missing Wolfy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Lucy for her own personality, just wish I could still have Wolfy too. I found great comfort in your book. Thank you so much for giving me the acceptence of grief and knowing others feel as I do and placing those feelings in writing to express they may be dogs but to those who love them, they are family.

Debra from NY