Mark: Shortly after retiring from the US Air Force my family and I settled down in Monroe, MI. A few days after moving into our new home my youngest daughter (then 7 years old) came home from the neighbors with a mixed breed puppy. Fourteen years later we are just a few days away from having to have this wonderful companion to sleep. Annie is her name and she has been a faithful companion and member of our family for a long time now. My heart aches when I think about the schedule time to take her to the vet even though I know that it will end her suffering. Never one to complain this dear dog has endured kidney stones and a multitude of other medical problems. Never once complaining and always continuing her role as the guardian and protector of her family. I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for “rescuing Sprite” because it has allowed me to better understand and accept the process that my family and I are enduring. I do not look forward to the day when this dear companion is no longer there when I come home from a busy day on the job.

Thanks Mark for your book and your commitment to our wonderful country! I listen to you almost every night on Sirius radio! God Bless You and your family

Bill from MI

When I was a young boy of 11 years, I came home one cold winter day on the bus.

As I was about to unlock the door to go inside I heard a little “meow”. My family had had outdoor cats, but none in a while. I looked down and I saw a tiny, and I mean tiny little kitten that fit in my 11 year old hands.

My father was dead-set against indoor pets. But, I knew this little kitten would die of exposure if I did nothing.

I snuck Jasper in to my room. She was so tiny and weak that I knew my parents wouldn’t hear her if I just kept my radio on.

I snuck her milk as often as I could and conspired with my young female neighbor (whom also had cats) to get her the food and litter (old shoe box as litter box) she needed.

Almost 2 whole months had passed and Jasper grew stronger, and more playful. And my father finally found her.

I had expected a monumentus spanking when he confronted me about it. Instead he asked me about the circumstances surrounding Jasper.

After telling him why I had done what I did, he sat there, thinking. Finally, he said that he would pay for her to be declawed and spayed. As a younun, I had only planned on keeping her inside for the winter, then keeping her outside after I knew she could survive the elements.

Of course, I went bat-sh*t crazy over the news that I could keep her with me, inside.

The life that Jasper and I had together was a short, but loving one. She was always sick. She had a skin disorder that caused her to scratch profusely. And she had problems keeping food down.

But, nonetheless, we soldiered on the best we could.

After 8 short years together, Jasper died in my arms at 4:28 a.m. the 27th of January 1997.

It has been over 11 years, and she has never left me.

Thank you Mark for letting me tell you, and others, her story.

Gary from IN

dear mark,
i listen to you every evening, and i think you are the greatest!
i have two wonderful dogs, Lily and Maggie, (also two daughters, and four grandsons), and i really want to read Rescuing Sprite, but the truth is i don’t have the guts.
i cry at the slightest thing involving animals, especially dogs,and i’m afraid i’ll get too upset.
i dread the day when my dogs will either get sick or very old, and i don’t know how i’ll cope.
but, i will buy it and read it.
i hope you will have many many years of good health and happiness,because you are the BEST!

Lila from NY

Mark, I came to appreciate your abilities a few years ago when I first saw you on one of the Fox shows–probably Hannity and Commie–it was around the time of the Lewinsky/ Bubba impeachment hearings. It was so cool to hear a kindred spirit talk in logical terms about conservatism, etc. I listen to your downloaded radio show every morning and bought 5 of you Rescueing Sprite books last Christmas and used them as stocking stuffers for my kids. As a lifelong 58 year old dog lover who is still burning mental perpetual candles to my yellow labrador Heidi I can fully relate to your depression and sense of loss for you buddy Sprite. Isn’t it amazing what dogs do for us? Keep up the good fight. your friend. Andy–P.S. Long live WFB!

Andrew from CA

Hey Mark, I really enjoy listening to your show and love the stories about Sprite and Pepsi. I have never had a rescue dog but my family has had American Eskimos dating back to my Mom’s childhood growing up in Oklahoma in the 30’s. I had gotten my first American Eskimo in 1983. Pete was with me for one month short of 17 years. I had to put Pete down the day before leaving town for a week eight years ago. Pete’s health just got to the point where there was no other alternative. It was devastating to have to take Pete to the vet but it was comforting to be with Pete to the very end. We had been through a lot together.

I have come to the conclusion that many things happen for a reason. When I got back into town a week later I got in touch with the breeder that I had gotten Pete from. I was in luck she said, she had a litter due around the beginning of July and it was a litter from a couple of her favorite dogs. Needless to say the check for the deposit was in the mail within minutes of my hanging up the phone.

As luck would have it I was the first one to get her a deposit and therefore I got to choose from the entire litter. I had to wait a couple of weeks after the puppies were born but it gave me some time to give some thought to naming him. At the time I would go to a local park during my lunch hour in order to listen to Rush during the summer prior to the 2000 election. I had drawn a blank for a while trying to decide what to name this new puppy. As I listened to Rush one day it hit me like a bolt out of the blue. You see, my mom had a dog named Rush when she was growing up in Oklahoma. The more I thought about it as I listened to Rush on the radio, the more I liked the thought of naming my new puppy Rush.

The name fits this dog like a glove. First, there was the family history with that name. My mom grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. My grandfather was an executive with Phillips Petroleum. He had gotten several American Eskimo dogs from breeders in Missiouri over the years.

I thought what a great connection. Both Rush and Rush were from Missouri. Now I had my own dog Rush. The name on his pedegree is Pinebrook Rushmore Reagan. His call name being “Rush”.

I had never had any plans to show him but to make a long story short in that regard Rush has been one of the top American Eskimos in the country over the course of the last several years. Among other things he was the #1 American Eskimo In the UKC Top Ten Rankings for 2005 and was named Showdog of the Year by the National American Eskimo Dog Association for 2005.

He is the greatest dog. Rushmore Reagan, my buddy Rush. Just my small way of honoring some of the most influential people in my life.
I hope you like the picture of Rush. He has that same kind of happy look that Sprite has on the cover of your book.

Sincerely, Dave from MN

PS: “Fritz”, “Skip” or “Horatio” would also be a great middle names for Barry Obama. Fritz Mondale belongs to my church. What a tool-box.

I received your book as a gift and was reading the chapter where you had to put Sprite to sleep when my own dog of twelve years became sick and had to be put down. It was a very sad day as you know but your book has helped me to get through this difficult time. Your thoughts and feelings mirrored many of mine.
My dog was a beagle named Bogey. He was my best pal and will be missed greatly.
Thanks for writing your book about Sprite and Pepsi. I also enjoy your radio show very much.

Tom from WA