I got out of the Air Force early last year. I had a rough time trying to become a civilian again. I tried to stay in South Carolina, where I was stationed for the last 3 years. Unfortunately, most of my friends and all of my family were back home in Cincinnati. I thank God my best friend (and savior) was there with me. The times were hard, and the stress was high. Stress I wasn’t used to. No matter how hard things got, I knew that no matter what happened, I’d come home to the one friend that would always be happy to see me.

I eventually decided to come back home to Cincinnati, and I brought Bella with me. She was my anchor keeping me grounded in many tough times.
Now, we’re both getting fat and happy. Well, she’s happy, I’m the one getting fat.

David from OH

Hi Sprite,
I know you are playing and having fun with Mikey, I have been reading all the Stories on your Dad’s site here. I had to stop for a moment,between the broken heart and tears and memories of how my Mikey helped me thru a very hard time, with late stage Lyme diesase, he gave me the strength,patience,and love to get thru a very hard depressing time. He was always by my side and knew when I was hurting. I miss him very much we only had him 11 years. I could not go when it was time to let him go. My husband had to do it alone what strengh it took. It has been four years and I am finally thinking I am ready to open my arms and heart for a Little Mikey. Thank you Sprite for inspiring your Dad(THE GREAT ONE) to write a beautifull inspiring book, and also want to thank Sean Hannity for leading me to “rescuing sprite “when I heard your Dad for the first time on his show. I have been listening every nite since. Goodnite Spritie and Mikey

Dee from AZ

Only a dog lover and a true believer in how wonderfully,dogs effect our lives.our dog ,Murdock,a Lhasa Apso/ Shih Tsu mix was our family member for 11 years.He went prowling one day,not knowing he got out.We were notified by neighbor,due to his ID tag,that he was in her yard,dead,not knowing why to this day.never a clue why,he had no visible damage,but we believe he drank anti freeze that a horrible neighbor leaves in his garage,because he is not a dog lover.He is a miserable human being.I was in the hospital for minor surgery when he disappeared.Of course I cried for days.About 2 months later, while asleep,he came running toward me in a dream. He said “I”m sorry I could not say goodbye,I love you” It bothers me to write this, it was so real.He was such a wonderful family pet.I woke up from the dream,crying and did all day. Only lovers would understand and believe my story. Thanks Mark for what you do.I have another,dog ,a Yorkie,13 years old,constant companion.She even goes to work with me.I drive a truck.

Lynn from GA

Losing a dog is so hard, I feel everyone’s pain as I read their stories. I have often wanted to call in to the show when you were talking about Sprite but I would never make it through my story without breaking down. We had a great black lab named Lindy. She was 18 years old. My oldest son had known her almost all his life since he was 22, He had been a very patriotic all of his life and wanted to go into the Army, He also had suffered from depression. He refused to take medication for it since he could not enlist if he was on the medication,

He did enlist and shortly before he was to leave for boot camp he asked if we could have Lindy put down before he left, She was failing quickly and he wanted to be there for her and not away at camp when it happened.

Before John left for camp, he had some things go wrong in his life that he could not handle and he ended his own life. I really did not think that I was going to survive this and I didn’t really think that I even wanted to. Shortly after John’s death, Lindy fell doen the deck stairs one night and was in so much pain that it was obviously time for her to join him. I sat up with her all night waiting for the vet to open and crying, telling her it was all right, to go be with John. About 5 am, she died.

This was all almost too much to bear. We had not even begun to recover from John. After about 6 months, I knew that my other kids and I needed something to help us out and give us something new to think about, Along came Dugan. He is the most wonderful, playful, and happy dog. He brought some laughter back into our house. I will always love him for that and he will always have a special place in hy heart.

Kathy from OH

Dear Mark,

I spoke with you a few years ago when the Terry Schiavo story was headline news. I told you how my daughter, who is a Nurse Practitioner was outraged how they treated, or I should say murdered poor Terry. You told me on that call that I should call again that you love Nurses. I have tried numerous times and the lines are constantly busy, due to you popularity.

Anyway, wanted to tell you that my Nurse Practitioner daughter has rescued many dogs over the years, and presently lives in PA with 6 rescued dogs and 2 rescued cats. Lucky for her she has a pretty large house and property and a job where she can support all these lovely rescued animals. She has a Katrina Lab whose mother and siblings were drowned. (more…)

Mark,
I just finished Rescuing Sprite and wanted to thank you for sharing your special moments, in hopes that someone who may not have been a dog lover, will now be one, because of your heartfelt book. I was compelled to write you when I got to the final chapter “Griffen.” I have lost babies from hamsters, bunnies to dogs, but my most special bond was with my dog, GRIFFIN. I lost he and his canine sister, Cheyenne, within 8 months of each other. The pain I know, is indescribable. They are true gifts from God, and must be cherished every moment of their precious, and unfortunately too short lives.
The best gift we can give them in return is to adopt another dog, that if not for people like you and I, would not be afforded an opportunity for a wonderful life, no matter how long it may be. In honor of my Griffin’s life, I adopted JAGGER from a local shelter. The simalarities in appearance between them is extraordinary, but they each have their own unique qualities that make them so special and unique.
Best wishes to you and your ENTIRE family – Sprite included. His memory will live on in your hearts forever, and if he could talk would thank you for the best 26 months of his life.

Jennifer from NJ

 Jagger