I feel Mark’s loss over Sprite.
We had a Chocolate colored Miniature Poodle we named Samson. My wife said that we would take the first pup that came to us. Sam was the only one that came to us, as the others were busy playing with each other.
Sam had many special traits, but I will mention two.
One, about five minutes before my wife would arrive home from work, Sam would leave the bedroom where he spent the day, and wait for her at the top of the stairs. He knew the time she got home and did not “hear her car” as he would still be there the same time the days she stopped by the store. How he could tell the time, we do not know, as daylight savings time did not mess him up.
The second trait has to do with Christmas. Sam enjoyed playing with rubber squeak toys. His first Christmas, we got him a couple toys and put them under the tree with our presents. I gave Sam his present and he studied it a few minutes and tore the paper off any played with it.
The next year I wrapped his toys and put them under the tree. The next morning (not Christmas morning) we woke up and he had his package opened. I got him another one and put it under the tree under other packages so he would have one to open. The next morning he had it opened. He had dug it out from under the other packages. He did not bother the other packages other than a couple of small tears where he dug his out. From then on, we had to wait till Christmas morning and put his packages under the tree. He would get them and open them. (more…)

I don’t really have a story, other than the one that just made me cry so hard while I was watching Oprah. I just wanted to tell you to watch the Oprah Winfrey Show today, February 14, if at all possible. I know that it was already on ABC at 4:00 p.m., but, she does come on later, even around midnight on her own channel. One of the Valentine’s Day stories was about the dog “Oogy”, adopted by the Larry Levin family. Other than reading, Rescuing Sprite, it was the most heartwarming dog rescue story that I have ever heard. It will be worth you seeing.

If you don’t get to watch it, you can read it on Oprah.Com (not the same effect – Oogy was also on Oprah).

I read your book, with my dog, Lizzie, (5 pound chinese crested powderpuff) sitting on my lap. My husband listens to your show every day coming home from work and he told me to order the book. Thank you, I loved it. I would read and stop every so many pages to cry and read back the pages to him. Lizzie loved it too.

Thanks for listening.

Arlene from NY

Mark, this isn’t a story, I just wanted to comment on your book. I’m almost done, but I wanted to let you know how important your story about Sprite is for people who’ve lost their beloved friends. I’ve been through it and you never get over it, it just changes. He’s always with you – don’t forget that.

Regards,

Karen from NY

Dear Mark,
On my last trip to USA, I saw your book in a bookshop, and the picture of your Sprite just made me buy it. Oh god, I read it all night long, and even if I also laughed, the most I cried and cried, I couldn’t help myself. I truly hope, your Griifen and Pesi can help you getting over the pain of your terrible lost, even if I know it will never disappear entirely.I have the chance to share my life with two great dogs, Sarah (yellow Lab I got when she was 2 months old, now just turned 7) and Nell (Dachshund i adopted when she was 8 years old from a rescuing shelter, she’s now 12).

They bring so much joy into my life and also into my family and friend’s life, everyone just love these two girls,.Even if they couldn’t be more different, they’re just so perfect together!.I’m sure you know what I mean, every dog lover do.Thank you for your book
Greetings from old europe
Evelyne from France

Dear Mark,

Last weekend I read your book “Rescuing Sprite” after I got it as a Christmas present… I knew it wouldn’t be easy to read it but I hadn’t expected it being so wonderful and painful at the same time. Your last sentence in the introduction is so right – I’ve been deeply moved and I’m holding my dog closer in my memories.

Five years ago I lost my beloved Max – a Great Dane – hunting dog – mix. Like your Sprite he was an older dog when we got him – not all healthy and living in an animal shelter, waiting for a family to come and get him. Although he wasn’t neither very pretty nor healty the first time we saw him – it was crytsal clear we wanted only that dog!
We were lucky to spent 8 years with him and he gave us so much joy, love and happiness! He was very special to us and he knew that. Somehow he picked us the day we came to the animal shelter.

When you described Sprite’s last morning it was like going back in time – I remember exactly the same scene – with Max lying down on the floor, cuddling and holding him for the last time….
I’m still thinking of him – every single day and he’s alive in our memories.
I kind of felt strange telling people I desperately miss my dog – even after 5 years. But I think that’s sometihing only dog lovers understand.
Thank you Mark for sharing your thoughts, feelings and memories with all of us. Sprite and your story really encouraged me to move on and give another dog a new & happy life. There are so many of them waiting for us in shelters or Foster Families.

Bless y’all

Meike from Germany

Dear Mark,
I just finished your book about Sprite. It reminded me so much of my beloved Leasal. She was a Corgi-collie mix I was fortunate to have for 12 years. It’s been said that there is only one special pet in your life even though you may have many. I now have two, female Shih Tzus and I love them to pieces but Leasal was my special girl. She was by my side with all the good and bad, significant times in my life; through divorce, lost of my mom, having to leave my home in Phila because of problem neighbors. If I didn’t have her in my life all the trials would have been more difficult.

In the Fall of 1995 after a move to NJ,finally being able to give her a yard with grass she was diagnosed with cancer. I wanted to hold on to her as long as I could. It just broke my heart to finally let her go Jan. 1996. So I understood completely what you went through with Sprite at the end. It was one of the most difficult days of my life. I still have my Leasal in spirit though and have pictures all over the house of her. In particiular, have her picture with a poem that I would like to share with you. I think this sums it up well:

Member of the Family – by Hope Harrington Kolb, 1993
“What would I do without you, my precious, fury friend?…Part mischief, but all blessing, and faithful to the end! You look at me with eyes of love; you never hold a grudge…You think I’m far too wonderful to criticize or judge. It seems your greatest joy in life is being close to me…I think God knew how comforting your warm, soft fur would be. I know you think your human. But I’m glad it isn’t true…The world would be a nicer place if folks were more like you! A few short years are all we have; one day we’ll have to part…But you, my pet, will always have a place within my heart.”

I hope you liked this poem. It was quite comforting to me after Leasal passed.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Regards,
Debbie from NJ