A friend, whom also lost her pet, gave me this book back in the middle of December. I have been wanting to read the book but somehow could not bring myself to read it. I lost my sweet Ally September 1, 2007 after suffering a blood and bone disease. I have taken the book with me on several trips and still have not read it. Tonight I read it from cover to cover and cried the whole way through. I could relate to all that you mentioned; the grief, did you do the “right”thing, the sorrow and the aboslute pain of losing a best friend. There were so many similarities (even down to the time of death). My Ally(named for the University of Alabama -my Alma Mater) was a golden retriever mix and she lived just 3 days shy of 11 years. She was diagnosed with cancer of the blood vessel (hemangiosarcoma) back in May 2005. Her spleen had ruptured and although they removed the spleen the odds were against her and I was told she would probably not make it past 3 months. This cancer is a rapid growing cancer and since her rupture it probably had spread to her other organs. While the pet is not usually in any pain (thank goodness), it is a fast growing disease and can kill within hours. I immiediately put her on a holistic diet. Unfortunately, there is really no cure for this cancer.

Three months from the time of diagnosis was the day before Hurricane Katrina. I live in the area that was hardest hit and we did not have access to her local vet, organic foods, her medicine, electricity etc. I could not have the food sent to me because they could not guarantee this since it needed to be refrigerated. She also was low on her medicines, herbs and treatments. Of course, it was pure survival during that time and I was very lucky Ally was with me. I do not know what I would have done without her as she was the one who helped me through such a devastating time. My parents lived in Waveland, Mississippi and lost absolutely everything. They only had a small overnight bag that would eventually mean the world to them. This area was actually affected the hardest from the storm. The town was gone. Not from the flooding or levee collapse but from the actual wind and tornado’s.

Ally loved the coast; I had always known I would bury Ally on the property along with our other family pets.I knew after the storm ravaged the Gulf Coast that it would be impossible to bury her there. What would I do? Well, I did not have to make any decisions until 2 years and 3 months later. She had remarkably beaten the odds from the hemangiosarcoma but sadly was diagnosed with bone cancer almost a year ago in March 2007. This cancer took a toll on her and I could tell that her body was deteriorating. The vet kept telling me that I would know when she was ready and I must say she was right down to the last 24 hours. I was at peace with my decision knowing that my girl had been in little pain. Of course I still question wether I was a good Mother and the guilt is still there but I really do not know what I would have done without my stong faith and beleifs. How did we make it during Katrina, how did she live so much longer than expected, how could I afford all of the medical bills?? If God takes you to it, he will bring you through it.

I miss Ally with all of my heart but I do know that she is in such a better place and I cannot wait to see her again!!! Since I could not bury her on the Coast, I decided to cremate her. I also planted a tree in her honor. I will spread some of her ashes at the 6 month mark. Once the coast is back I will spread more of her ashes on the property and then save the rest for a special place in my home. As you expressed, it is a difficult decision but as all dog lovers know… your dogs will ALWAYS have a special place in your heart. Ally was always my Angel on earth and now she is my Angel watching over me. Thank you for a beautiful story! You are very lucky as you have 2 angels. Pepsi is your angel on earth and Sprite is your angel in the sky.

Ashley from LA

It is funny how God works. I haven’t been listening to Mark but for about 2 months and now I have a great story to tell. My family and I have 5 kids. We have a Long Hair chihuahua. Well 4 weeks ago she was up towards the end of our long driveway and someone picked her up. She had her tag on but still someone picked her up. Now my girls were just beside themselves. We looked every where for her but nothing. Well last week my wife decided she would write a letter to the editor of our small town news paper. The paper only comes out on Tuesday and Fridays and so on Friday it came out and was the first letter. So its title was in bold letter on the page ‘ Please bring our dog home”. It just said that someone had picked up our dog and that our 5 kids were very upset and if they would just let her out at the end of our driveway she would find her way home.

Well I was sure that whom ever had her wouldn’t bring her back but it couldn’t hurt. So this morning (02/18/08) i got a call from my wife saying that (maggie) our dog was sitting on the porch scratching on the door. I can’t tell you how happy we are to have her back. So that shows that even those who would steal a dog care about the animals enough to know that she was wanted.

Chad from GA

It has been a little over two years since I put my best friend to sleep. I still mourn and I still cry. EJ was the love of the neighborhood and, when he passed, the sorrow was widespread. He was 16 years old. For a pure-bred, 85-pound Collie that, in itself, was miraculous. Throughout his life, I never walked him with a leash. He never crossed the street, no matter what was on the other side, unless I gave him permission.

Just before he turned 13, we realized that EJ had lost his hearing. How could I continue to walk him without a leash? How could I call him when I had a special treat? EJ adjusted better than I did…he learned sign language! He learned what each gesture meant, looked for it and then followed suit. Now, he wouldn’t cross the street until I gave him the necessary gesture.

In his remaining years, however, arthritis became a progressively debilitating adversary. His walking became labored, running, a thing of the past and he was unable to walk stairs. In all other respects, he was functional. So, my wife and I were unprepared when we came home one afternoon and found EJ on his side in our den, struggling desperately to stand up. I rushed to him and gently got him up on his legs. He fought valiantly to keep standing, walked part way across the den and then collapsed. With the help of my granddaughter, we got him to our vet who, of course, knew EJ well. Without so much as taking a stethoscope to him, he looked at me with his own heart breaking and said, “Don, the kindest thing you can do for EJ is to let him go.”

From that moment, I became a basket case. I petted him, I kissed him, I spoke to him, all the while crying uncontrollably. Sensing that my emotional display might be making it even more difficult for EJ, our vet suggested I leave EJ in kind and caring hands. (more…)

My sister gave me a copy of Rescuing Sprite for Christmas since all of my girls have been rescues she thought I would enjoy it. I read it last night and cried through most of it, totally relating to what you went through. I have 6 girls now (had trouble sending their picture) and 3 that I’ve had to put to sleep, 2 were in my arms, 1, my beloved Greyhound Callie was 2 days before I lost my Mom so my vet took care of her for me and returned her ashes to me. All 3 of my angels are in marble containers on my dresser in my bedroom. I am also involved with pet therapy and am putting my 4th girl, my deef boxer, Chloe, into the program. We visit children at local hospitals.

God bless you for donating some of the proceeds from this book and, for making everyone aware of how important it is to rescue animals. And, as you and I both know, they know they have been rescued and their love in return is incredible!!!

Cathy from LA

I just finished reading “Rescuing Sprite”. I lost my 11 year old Golden Retriever, Laddie, 5 weeks ago, and I completely understood your fight for Sprite. Laddie suffered from a kidney disease which shut his kidneys down and his blatter did all the work. He lived about 7 months after he was diagnosed, and dropped from 100 lbs. to less than 60 lbs. My vet felt Laddie was living for me, and I thought I was living for him.

I truly miss him, and reading Rescung Sprite helps to know how wonderful people are to their family members. I had a vet once say DOG spelled bckwards is GOD – loves you and asks for nothing in return. I truly believe Laddie was there when I needed to talk about anything.

Ginny from PA

I am the proud owner of a rescued american pit bull terrier, who means the world to me.

I work full time and I am about to take the New jersey Bar Exam, but what little free time is spent volunteering to rehabilitate rescued pit bulls and place them in loving homes.

Brigit from NJ