We, too, adopted a dog and then ended up footing the bill for a lot of medical expenses. She had heartworm (not divulged by the previous owners) and $600.00 later and two weeks of IV’s she was better. She also had many surgeries for mamary tumors and ear infections. She was an adorable black Lab/Cocker Spaniel mix named “Samantha.” Would I do it again? Of course. She died at the age of ten and a half but we had eight good years with her and my kids, now in their twenties, still talk about her often. Enjoyed your book immensely and am sorry for your loss.

Ora from NV

I have just had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life. I had to have my little dog
“Cheebie” put to sleep. Cheebie is a mix of maltese and poodle. We were given Cheebie in April of 1991. She had lived with us for almost 18 years. During this time she became another child to my wife and I. Both of our children haved moved out and the only child we had left at home was our special little dog. She had been in failing health for about the last 8 months. Every morning and every night we would have to give her medicine for her heart. Even though she was sick she would always wag her tail when she saw us. I have to let you know the decision to have her put to sleep was so hard we did not want to accept it. We had consulted with our Vet and he told us that we had done everything we could. This still did not ease the pain. When we made the decision our Vet Dr. Garrett
was very kind and came to my house and picked Cheebie up and took her back to his office. During the time he was at our house he comforted us and let us know that Cheebie would go peacefully. I thought this was going above and beyond the call of duty. Cheebie was the sweetest and most loving dog I have every known and she will be terribly missed.

Jeff from AL

I have worked in animal medicine for almost 8 years now, and I have been lucky enough to share my love with many abandoned and unhealthy pets. I wanted to share with you all a quote that has helped me through years of pain that is caused by every creature who has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge, so that it may also bring you some comfort. Thank you all who make room in your heart for our furry friends!!

“We who chose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live in a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.”

–IRVING TOWNSEND,

author “SEPARATE LIFETIMES”

Dear Mark,

I love dogs. I also love books. Your book was therefore irresistable. Youe book confirmed that my tear glands were properly functioning. We lost our Vixen, a mini schnouzer on December 31, 2007. She was two weeks shy of her 9th birthday. We got her from the breeder when she was seven weeks old. Her breed is notorious for being snippy. She was not. The sweetest dog you can imagine. I could identify with each and every emotion you described about how you feel about our dogs. When we got her, she seemed to be an icon of health full of energy. We learned from our vet that the breed is often suffering from crystals in their urine. Many members of the breed can live a full life before the problem surfaces. (more…)

On February 8, 1988, King Solomon’s Rebel
passed away quietly in the arms of Dallas Ray.
The grief and the sadness are nearly unbearable.

Amid the tears, I gently laid him in the white
pine coffin we made for him. We held hands as
we looked upon this angel for the “last time here”.

It is worth remembering that I said that the
“overpowering voice of love” from this small
voiceless creature was stilled by the hand of God.

Surely there is a reason. With all the
certainty that there is a God and a Heaven,
we, (His only family), Shall see him again.

He started life at 604 Tomahawk Circle,
in the arms of Dallas Ray. During the thirteen
years of His life here, He brought untold love
to this Family.

Jackie, Dallas Ray and I never questioned that Love.
He told us He loved us in so many ways. We told
Him every day that we Loved Him.

We buried Him there on the hillside in the yard.
It is a place where He laid to watch Jackie as
She worked in the yard, and where He always
Ran to greet us when we returned home.

It is the pinnacle of His Domain. It seems
fitting that His earthly remains rest
there under the pines where nearly all of
His territory can be seen.

We know that some looked upon him
and saw only a Basenji Puppy. We
know Him as our family.

There can be no greater legacy than LOVE.
The wealth He left us is, therefore, unmatched
because “LOVE IS FOREVER”. We will Love
Him Forever.

Through all the emptiness, the tears and the
sadness of His passing, He will ultimately live
in all of His Regal Splendor in our memories.
So Rest, Sweet Baby, with the Knowledge
that we will “Love You Forever”.

Bo, Jackie and Dallas Ray from AL

I first heard about Rescuing Sprite early in December ’07 and immediately purchased a copy. Shortly after that in the days before Christmas, my little dachshund, Belle, started to walk strangely. Within just a few days, she was paralyzed in her hind legs, and in a lot of pain from degenerative disc disease. By New Years Eve, she never improved and through my vet’s guidance, we made the decision to let her go peacefully.

I really think it was a blessing that I found this book before Belle became sick. I credit it in assisting me deal with Bell’s ailments, and it’s helping me cope after her passing. I constantly thought of Mark, and how he dealt with the emotional pain and anguish, he faces in losing his Spritey.

I have since given four of your books to my friends and family. One of these friends has an older dog with arthritis and the dog has his good and bad days similar to Sprite. Since Rescuing Sprite helped me cope, I have given him your book in hopes that it will help him as it did me.

Mark, thank you for such an amazing book. I know Sprite is missed, but it is amazing how many people he touches in his after-years.

Preston from  TX