I came from a big family of 11 and my parents were quite rightly opposed to having any pets in our small Baltimore County, Maryland home. So, needless to say, being the 6th of 9 children as soon as I was able (Due to the fact that my brothers and sisters had left the nest) I brought home a puppy that we had found INSIDE a dumpster in Downtown Baltimore. His ears and body were full of mites and open sores and when we bathed him the water turned red with the bloodsucking bastards!

He walked sideways for a time from the ear mite damage and he would not eat. Finally, I figured out he liked bacon and he soon started putting on weight and becoming increasingly active and more playful.
Needless to say, he became a member of the family and much loved by all he met.
We named him \”Baltimore\”.

He was 17 years old when he was playing with 2 younger dogs and tore the ligaments in both his back legs. It \”came to me\” when it was time for him to leave this earth. I have never cried so hard in my life before or since and I have lost my father, 2 brothers and a sister. I had to beg the Vet to put him down because there had to be a waiting period of 2 weeks in case the dog had bitten someone and he didn\’t want to break the law. Baltimore was feeble from his injuries and you could see he knew it was time to go.
The vet complied.

I waited outside while the Vet injected him and when it was over I came in and picked the dog up. His final breath escaped in a large \”whoosh\” and the tears whoosed from me. I was a grown man by this time and I was bawling uncontrollably… so much I had to pull over on the side of the road. A policeman pulled over to see if I was alright and all I could do was point into the back of my car and show him the vet bill. My head was bowed against the steering wheel and I felt him pat me soundly on the shoulders as he walked back to his cruiser. As he pulled away I could see him wiping tears off his face.
I buried my friend underneath a fig tree in the backyard where he would watch me garden in his older years. I called him my \”Garden Dog\”.
The fig tree has grown immense from the goodness and sweetness that was so much a part of his nature.
That was 20 years ago and I still have his picture on my bureau.

Chip from NJ

Mulligan was a wonderful Westie that brought joy into my life shortly after a car accident. The doctors told me that I needed 12 or more months to recover and I would be spending a lot of time home alone. My husband and I were newly married and decided that I needed some companionship in the form a little white fuzz ball. Mulligan was at my side during all of my surgeries and recoveries. When I had my bad days he would just lay at the foot of my bed keeping me company.

When my recovery was complete, Mulligan became my little travel companion. I would have him with me wherever my travels would take me.
Mulligan had a second duty in the house. He was the peacemaker between myself and my stepson Phillip. Phil was 10 years old when I married his father. Phil and I had our struggles when he came to live with us shortly before his 13th birthday. For three years Phil and I would have our moments of love and understanding followed by eye rolling moments of what are you thinking. It was during the times of tension that Mulligan would work his magic. Mulligan would bring a toy to have us play with him. It is hard to stay mad when rubbing a doggy belly.

Phillip had a tough time in his late teens and early twenties. He found himself making choices that left him questioning his future. Phil needed to have structure in his life; he entered the Corps and from that point on Phil changed for the better. Phil became the person he wanted to be, a caring self-confident young man. Phil would call home and every call would have questions about Mulligan. When Phil would come home Mulligan was on his lap and boys were happy.

Sadly we had to make the hard choice to have Mulligan put to sleep after a long life. That was not a fun call to Phil; we all lost our friend.

On November 9th, 2007 Sgt. Phillip Allen Bocks, USMC was killed in Afghanistan. Phil was gone and in those first moments of grieve I gained comfort in knowing that Mulligan and Phil where in Heaven together. Once again Phil would be comforted by Mulligan and Mulligan would have his buddy’s lap to sit on.

Monica from CA

Hello Mark,
I just wanted to share a small part of my story with you.
I just finished reading your wonderful book Rescuing Sprite. This book has helped me through a terrible time in my life.

I had to put to rest my wonderful dog Jazz. Jazz had been my best friend for fifteen years and the guilt and pain I felt when I had to end her life was almost to painful to go through.

Four weeks after Jazz\’z death I was hit by a car crossing a street. While I was in the traumma unit for three days I often thought of my best friend and at one point in time I felt Jazz kissing my face to let me know everything was going to be fine.

Like you I learned so much from this wonderful pet.
Thank you, for sharing your story about Sprite and how our pets can open our eyes to the simple things in life!
God Bless,

Leigh from OH