The first time I saw Lola she was in a little crate that was full of what look like muddy water. she looked to be dark brown with stiff fur sticking out everywhere. As it turns out some boys had been urinating on her and her wiskers had been burned off. I opened the crate took her out she was sumissive and quiet kind of like she just didn’t care like she had just given up. She smelled so bad I had to wrap her up in a towel so my friend could hold her on the drive home. Once arriving home I was shocked to find out after a bath that Lola was she was white with dark patches covering her eyes. and her stiff fur was as soft as a kittens, She was the cutest little thing I had ever seen. She however seemed so sad and wouldn’t eat or drink any thing. The next day I took her to the vet I was told she was about 4 weeks old. I was told to just try to get her to eat by giving her soft food. Through out that day and the next I was on a continueous search for something Lola would eat or dink to without success. Staying in constant contact with the vet going back getting special food and milk from them still nothing work . Then lola starting vomiting when she wasn’t asleep she would dry heave. When she tried to have a bowel movement what little happened had blood in it. I was back on the phone with the vet she said “look you did a good thing by trying to help her but I thinnk the best thing would be to end her suffering”. As I readied her and myself to take her there my best friend starting crying and said isn’t there something else we can do? For some reason I thought I’d try what they give babies with stomach flus. So I got a childs medicine syringe filled it with Pedilite and sat down for a little battle with Lola. You see Lola didn’t want to eat or drink so I would have to hold her little face and force the Pedilite down her throat and she fought it all the way. Every hour I’d force a few more milligrams down her. The following day she actually seemed a little better the day after that she was running and playing. Lola and I have been together every since through a heart breaking divorce. Through a new home in a new town through lots of changes. Lola herself changed the dark patches covering her eyes lighten and moved to her ears, her fur grew long, her tail curls up with long fur cascading like a water fall. When she excited she dosen’t walk she prances. She’s a soft 32 pound mushey teddy bear and I love hugging her. She has earned the name Lola the licker and her caption on my space (yes she does)claims “I can’t hold my licker”! She’s my Loyal Lola and where ever I am she is. I used to think people who loved their dog like a child were nuts. Now I’m one of those nuts. I say if I could’ve given birht to a dog it would be Lola. This March Lola will be three and I expect she will have many, many more birthdays to come.

Kayce from GA

Dear Mark,

I just finished your book. I filled three handkerchiefs with tears. It brought back so many memories of my dog Amber, a 13 yr, old greyhound that we rescued twelve years ago. She was also the most loving and kindest dog I have ever known. She loved everyone and every animal she encountered. I am so lucky to have known her and loved her and had her in my life. My wife and I had to make the decision to end her life and say goodbye to her a year ago.

Your book brought back the sadness I felt on the day she went to sleep for the last time and the sadness leading up to that day. More importantly it brought back the memories of her and the love I felt for her. Even after a year it hurts like hell that she’s gone and I don’t see her face when I come in the back door or hear her nails on the floor as she runs out to greet me. Your book helped me to remember the unconditional love I received from this dog and how lucky I was and how lucky I am to have had her in my life.

I’ve never listened to your show. In fact we are probably pretty much at opposite ends of the political spectrum. But I feel we have a common experience with our dogs and have shared experiences that transcend politics. A big liberal hug to you and yours.

Thanks for the book,

Larry from CA

I am a the director for our animal control facility. I purchased two of the Rescuing Sprite for two employees. After reading the book I had to let you know some things. I have two dogs and two cats of my own. Very much an animal lover. I was transferred to Animal Control two years ago to fix things and design a new facility. I had no idea how difficult the animal control officers job was till then. Had worked on the road with them and was glad that they dealt with the animals. What I enjoyed about your book was the kudos that you gave for these officers that deal with the day to day hardships in working in a shelter. It takes a special type of person to be able to enforce the laws, care for/feed the ones in the shelter and then when necessary euthanize them. My hat is off to all those that have that assignment. Even when I am reassigned back to patrol (or where ever next) I will take what I learned from these special officers with me. I cried and had to put the book down when sprite “walked that rainbow” and feel for you and yours. Thanks for sharing your story with all and keep us up to date on your new addition.

Brenda from GA

Dear Mark: I just finished your book “Rescuing Sprite” – I still have tears in my eyes, and I share the pain over the loss of your beloved Sprite. I have had to say good bye to six (6) canine friends in my life time, and it never got any easier. Though time does heal wounds, the memories stay forever in our hearts and bring smiles to our faces! We currently have a 15 yr Border Collie mix named Niko, and a six year old Boxer named Angel (though her middle name is Devil). Acually, your book inspired me so much that I am thinking of writing a little book about our dogs, cats, and horses–even if its just going to be for the children and grandchildren!
However, another reason fo me writing to you today, I would like to pass on some advise my dad gave me when I was a young girl: never marry a man who does not love and respect animals! Well, I listened to dad and married this (wonderful) guy 47 yrs ago. Three children, many dogs, several cats, and six horses later he is still the kindest man and animal lover I have ever known. Thought you may want to pass on my dad’s advice to Lauren!
Another important thing I have learned about losing a pet: always let the surviving animals see and sniff the dead buddy, it is amazing to witness how easily they accept that their companion is gone. Many years ago, we had a black Chow/Lab mix named “Liesel,” and a small shephard mix named “Gusti.” They were inseparable. Liesel at the age of only 7 developed cancer and was gone within a couple of weeks. We made the mistake of burying Liesel before Gusti would see her. Gusti lived for many more years but never once stopped looking for her friend even though we had gotten another dog (Niko) from the Fairfax Animal Shelter shortly after Liesel’s death. Every time she would see a black dog she got all excited until she realized it was not her beloved Liesel. Heartbreaking.
I am so happy you got Griffin shortly after Sprite’s passing, it really helps to ease the pain and absorb the loss (I am speaking from experience).
Hope I did not ramble on too long! Warm regards and wishes to you, your lovely family, and, of course, Pepsi and Griffin!
Sincerely,

Marga from VA

Dear Mark,

I have wanted to write a heart-felt “thank you” to you for unknowingly giving me tremendous assistance in helping me live with the huge loss of our canine family member who was in almost every sense a child to me and my wife.

I fully realize you have received multiple scores of similar testimony and thanks and I realize this one additional missive may not be able to fit into your busy schedule to see. Nevertheless, I felt I wanted to add to the chorus of thanks since this was the earliest time after incredibly deep mourning that I was able to get through the writing successfully.

I had to allow our vet to help Rusty pass out of his state of suffering on October 12th, around the exact time the rest of us learned about your own canine child, Sprite. The expression that misery loves company in this case was only accurate to the point that the depth of your public grief gave me the intellectual and emotional support to know that it was reasonable and understandable for a human being of reasonable mental capacity to be so lost in the despair of intense grief. (more…)

Hi Mark! I wrote yesterday telling about how we have 6 animals total 4 of them are over 10. One of my cats is in the er vet and has been since Monday as he was diagnosed with diabetes. One of my dogs Shecky has epilepsy and my other dog Scooby has a low thyroid. Now we have 3 on meds and a 17 1/2 old cat named Rudy who I am sure will have problems in the near future. Well I found this dog Oreo whom I found at my girlfriends wandering the streets. She was apparently spayed by PETA per request of my girlfriend once PETA gave her the shots she needed and spayed her they naturally dropped her off back in front of the house of her so called owners house and let her run free. She had no shelter and was barely given food. I of course upon visiting my girlfriends house that day said that is unacceptable that she has no shelter and scooped her up and put her smelly little self in my truck and drove the hour ride back to my Va Beach home. On the ride home knowing that she was 6 months old needed a cage and stopped to get her one as well as a new collar and leash.

  (more…)