Mark – just read your book “Rescuing Sprite”. I think I cried thru most of it. I had to put my 17 yo Dachshund (Bette) down last month. She was my best Friend. Its tough, I still have her leather collar and her tiny t-shirt that labeled her as “Naughty” as she was a one of those that loved to scavenge in the trash as Sprite did. She could also open a purse, find the gum and proceed to pull the wrapper off every stick faster than you could blink. Gosh I miss her. God Bless you and your family.

Janet from TX

Mark,

I have been putting off reading “Sprite” for months for fear of my emotional reaction. I finally read it and had to put it down at least 20 times to mop my eyes and regain my composure. Perhaps the worst part of your ordeal was the fact that you got Sprite thinking he was 3 only to discover he was much older…as if those wonderful potential years with him were snatched away without you being able to do anything.

Your warmth and humanity about your family, includes dogs, is quite touching.

I am a Boxer lover. Have had 8 and presently have 2, Rockie age 7 and Florence age 2. Your book projected me into that unwanted future when I would be facing the inevitable, which I have had to do several times before…and it only gets worse…my approach is to get another boxer!!!

Thanks!

Dan from NY

Hi Mark,

Last April, I lost my beloved husband suddenly on his 60th birthday. I also had 2 elderly dogs in poor health during this time. Lacy, my Beagle, was having difficulty standing and had just stopped walking. My Vet and his staff kept Lacy and my other Dog Chance with them so that I could focus on funeral arrangements for my husband while knowing they were being loved and taken care of. When I picked them up the day after Mic’s funeral, I knew I needed to say goodbye to Lacy and have her put to sleep. The Techs went to get her for me to visit with and she WALKED out and came to me. The Techs worked with her to get her up on her feet so that I would not lose her. My heart lept with joy and love for not only her but the staff. I had her for 3 more months.

In July I had to put my other Dog, Chance to sleep and 10 days later I had to put Lacy to sleep. I have one dog and 2 cats left and I think my life would be so empty without them. I just wanted you to know how much my husband and I loved these pets. I never thought I would lose my husband and then my pets 3 months later. I know they are all in heaven enjoying good health and lots of LOVE. I read your book “Rescuing Sprite” and was so moved by it. Thank you for writing it.

Jackie from TX

Dear Mark,
I read your book on two flights in transit. I fly a great deal. Problem is that I am a 53 year old man with a wife and 19 year old. I have two wonderful dogs. An 11 year old goldie who looks like Sprite since he is now white in the face. Our other is a terrier mix who looks like Benji. Anyway, on the flights I could not stop sobbing. I guess that was the problem.

You put into words so many feelings which I share. Especially,how you mentioned thinking so often of how the end would come for your beloved Sprite. I think about my goldie (Chas) almost daily – actually for years even when he was young.

So thank you for sharing so many personal and intimate feelings about your dogs. And thank you for making it all feel normal.

I wish you new found love with new dogs, who could never take Sprite’s or Pepsi’s place, but who would do so well with you as their family leader.

Joshua from AZ

Abbi would have been 11 on the 14th of February (yes Valentine’s Day). She lost her fight for life on the 21st of November 2007. We are so thankful for the love she unconditionally gave us every day of her life and realize how very lucky we were to have her as a part of our lives.

Bobby from TX

I also adopted an older than I thought dog from a shelter in NJ. If can believe in “love at first sight” my husband and Amanda (he named her) fell madly in love. She gave us her last five years. I only gave her the “shot” on 2/8/08 so when I saw your book I had to buy it. I may not agree with you politically but I do love you for your devotion to dogs. I am writing this because I know you have much more power with the media and a much larger inforamtion base than I could ever wish for. I am Jewish but I have always felt that dogs are watched over by all religions. I bought St Francis medals for them. My two dogs BOTH died cancer in the throat. So did my daughter’s dog. I went to buy new medals for my daughter’s dog and for my remaining dog. I was crying and I dropped the medals-On the back in bold letters it stated that the pewter causes cancer and reproductive problems. I was shocked. Is this the cause of all threes cancer. Why is it on the market? I alerted Petsmart and she said that she was going to e-mail the coporate office. 1. I don’t believe her. 2. how many well meaning owners are slowly killing their dogs. Please tell you listeners about this. Maybe Amanda was just God’s way of warning other owners. Thank you for your time. I plan to read the book tonight. I will write and tell what I thought of it. I will probably love it.

Rose from PA