Hi Mark,

I have literally just moments ago finished reading your book on Sprite and Pepsi. I have to tell you that I was crying and absolutely in tears like a baby not even half way through the book and all they way until the very last page. I am 22 years old and soon to be 23. My own German shepherd named Bingo just passed away two weeks ago from a myriad of medical conditions and from just being old. I loved him more than I can say. He was 14 years old and I was extremely blessed that my mom decided to get him when I was only in first grade of elementary school. I am only 22 and Bingo has been with me so much more than half of my life. He used to make me laugh so hard and so long with all of his burping, farting and all sorts of antics when he was younger that I really believe I would be a different person without him. Until the day my parents had to put him to sleep he thought he was a puppy. He would whine for affection and treats and always try to play with you. Without him I have been depressed and it is so incredibly comforting and wonderful to read about how you also know that gut wrenching emotion when someone (NOT something) passes out of your life. Thank you so much and God bless.

Sincerely,
Christina from GA

I just finished reading about Sprite and I was very moved. In August of 2006 I had to put my beloved greyhound, Agatha, to sleep at age 11. She was suffering from lymphoma; after talking to my vets, I made the decision not to do chemo, and to make her final days comfortable. She lasted about 5 weeks after the diagnosis, and went downhill quickly when it was her time.

Aggie took a turn for the worse about bedtime on Friday night. I sat with her all night, petting her and telling her I loved her. Pigle and Buddy, my other two rescues, were allowed to snuggle with her for the first and last time.

The next morning Aggie started whimpering and I knew what she wanted: she wanted to go to the bathroom. Always fastidious, Agatha never had an accident in the house. I carried her outside, and after she went to the bathroom she walked over to my car and stopped. She looked back over her shoulder at me as if to say, “It’s time for me to go, now.”

I took her to the vet and he told me she was suffering. I had promised Aggie when she was diagnosed I wouldn’t let her suffer, so I made the decision to let her go. He cried, I cried, and the nurse cried. She was a truly great dog.

I have often wondered if I should have treated her for the cancer; when she was 6, she had a seizure. I did an MRI, and we discovered a ruptured aneuryism that healed. (more…)

Sad story of a good place. There is a animal shelter/hospital/adoption center called safe harbor in Jupiter Florida. I used to live there and adopted my best friend Inky, he was a rescued pitbull. he had a really rough life, i took him home and made him a prince; he died two years ago from kidney failure in that hospital. and i got my current princess, another rescued pitbull. This is a wonderful place doing the right thing. for little or no cost.
They had a fire over the weekend. there were a few cats that didn’t make it and some significant damage.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/north/epaper/2008/03/14/0314fire.html
just thought that you would like to know.

David from MN

My beloved Chow, Jodie passed away on August 5, 2007 at the age of 11 1/2. I was given Rescuing Sprite as a gift from my father-in-law for Christmas. I just got brave enough to read it a couple of months ago. Very heartwarming and touching.
I am currently in school to be a licensed veterinary technician after getting a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1999. I will graduate from Veterinary Technician school in May!
Just a couple of weeks ago, I decided to be on the lookout for a new dog. Working in a wealthy part of Richmond, it is very rare to see a dog in need of a home. On cue, a client brought us a dog she rescued from being euthanized at a local animal shelter. I have named her Ardelia… and she is MINE. She has a long road ahead of her, however, because of: complete emaciaton, a broken tibia and fibula, multiple gunshot wounds, and a completely broken tail. Her sweet spirit has warmed my heart beyond words. I don’t know how I will pay her vet bills, but the doctors I work for will work with me to pay everything off in time. I didn’t know this site took pictures, so I will make sure to get some. She looks really rough right now, but she LOVES people which is amazing to me as she has been treated so horribly. We estimate her age to be about 1 year. I can’t wait to watch her blossom. I just hope she can make it through everything as she is quite debilitated right now.

Amy from VA

“Daisy” was a mess, poor old girl. When I saw her photo online, I knew I had to meet her. Our dog, Molly had passed away not long before and I felt I was ready for a new friend. I arrived at the shelter and found a mess of a dog. Her fur was so dirty and matted. Her paperwork had her listed as a cream poodle, picked up as a stray, around 10 years old or so. She hadn’t been spayed. Her eyes were clouded over with cataracts. I could see that she’d had a difficult life and knew she needed someone to help her. I have a soft spot for senior dogs, for the “underdogs” that might not have a chance.

Without hesitation, I adopted her. I took her immediately to my groomer, Joyce who did a double take when I walked in the door with her. I don’t know that she’d ever seen a dog in her condition but I knew she was up to the task so I left my new (old) girl in good hands and headed home to prepare for her arrival.

With mixed feelings, I putted around the house wondering if I’d made the right decision by adopting a dog so soon after Molly’s death, let alone a senior dog with potential health issues. Molly had been with us for 14 years. She was a border collie mix that we’d adopted at the pound when she was 6 months old. She was a sweet old gentle soul who’d never have harmed a flea. One day several years earlier, I stepped outside and found Molly gently licking the back of a little alligator lizard. That lizard was in heaven, thoroughly enjoying a back rub! (more…)

Hi Mark, You will be pleased this past December we adopted a rescue dog. Our old dog Cha Cha had died two year previous and we were devastated like all pet owners when they lose a part of their family. My husband was reluctant to get another dog all of that time although I could have sooner. We happened to babysit our neighbors new puppy, a Bearded Collie and we both fell in love with her. One day I decided to go to Petfinders.com on the Internet and searched Bearded Collies up for adoption. Holly was the first one listed and something about her description and photo just told me she was the one for us. Anyway, I asked my husband what he thought and showed him her photo and he said go for it……so we went thru the adoption process and arranged to pick her up in St George, Utah and the foster parent met us half way. We made the best choice ever and she is now a happy, healthy bundle of hugs and kisses. She has made our lives full of lots of laughs and fun and look forward to many happy years. I have never read your book although I intend to buy it…and despite the tears that I know will come because we can relate to your lost of Sprite. We have had 4 dogs in the past…all strays who found us and they were all wonderful and still in our hearts. Holly was found wandering in a remote area in Wyoming and the foster parent said had she not been seen that nite on a lonely road she would have not made it due to the extreme cold.
God was lookiing after her and we thank Him for bringing her to us.
We enjoy your programming so much and Bless you for all you do.
Susan and Ron from AZ