I just wanted to let you know that my husband bought me your book, “Sprite”. I just finished reading it with tears in my eyes.

Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful book about your beloved Sprite.

We too have two dogs, Lacey (a Boxer) and Cody (a Toy Poodle). I love them both with all my heart. I too could write a book about everything they do. I do not work – I’m disabled with Fybromyalgia. I get to stay at home and take care of my two babies each day. I love my time with them and dread the thought of losing either of them.

They are both such a wonderful part of our family. They bring so much joy to our lives – and I talk to them just as I do our children. For they are our children – only with four legs instead of two! I could tell you so many funny stories about them – but there just isn’t enough space here to do so!

You were so lucky to have had Sprite in your life for 26 months. He was lucky too! If only all dogs could have the life that Sprite had – and Lacey and Cody – the world would be a better place.

If only all humans were dog loves – wouldn’t it be a nice place to live!

God bless you and your family. And of course, Pepsi and Griffen!

Thank you again!

Carolyn from WA

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite–I smiled and cried all the way through. I’ve been volunteering with animals for almost five years now and I can tell you that every time one of our animals is adopted we hope and pray it is to a family like yours. God bless you for giving a rescue dog such a wonderful life.

P.S. I couldn’t resist attaching a picture of one of my rescue dogs, Master. When we first adopted him he had a perpetual surprised look on his face–like everything in the world was new to him (and he was afraid of much of it.) Now he’s a big cuddler and thinks the world is fun.

Mary from OH

Mark, I just finished reading your book after having had my childhood dog, Ebby, put to sleep. Thank you for the fantastic help in aiding with the extremely painful grieving process!

I thought, perhaps, you might be interested in reading this letter my father wrote to our beloved Ebby. Thank you again!

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January 10, 2008

Dear Ebby,

At the prompting of our college bound son we adopted, you, our pound puppy more than fourteen years ago. Christened Ebony, you were a Lab Akita mix with, we suspect, a hint of Shepherd. Only four weeks old, the name reflected your predominantly black coloring with white marking on the chest and a splash of white “paint” on your paws. Throughout the years you acquired many nicknames: Ebby, Eb, Miss Ebby, Eberlina Girlie, Miss Debbie (go figure) and several too “colorful” to put into print, especially when one of us got cross with you.

Your charm and antics soon made you a full-fledged member of our family. I became Ebby’s daddy, Sue became your mommy, and Geoff your brother. But in reality you adopted us! Sue fittingly often referred to you as the Queen, Princess, or the Little Dictator because you quickly seemed to train us (especially me) to reflect your needs and expectations rather than the other way around.

Yesterday, through out anguish and our tears we celebrated, and continue to celebrate, your all too short time with us by recalling the highlights of your life. How as a puppy you would carry your bed throughout the house until eventually you tore it apart. Or the many times you grabbed articles of clothing from the hamper, socks and underwear were your favorites, and then proudly entered our presence with the shredded evidence still in your mouth. You developed a habit of snatching my handkerchief from my back pocket as I walked past you. To this very day I keep it tucked into my shirt to forestall your thieving ways! As a small pup, you chewed everything from the dining room chairs and the kitchen bar to the portable gate used to keep you in the kitchen when we were not at home. On the vets’ advice we had to use the hottest sauce we could find to break you of this habit. One time you even chewed the linoleum on the kitchen floor. Mommy really wasn’t angry because she now had her excuse to have tile put on the kitchen floor! (more…)

Dear Mark,

I am a writer living in Virginia who has recently become a big fan of yours, not just because of the Sprite book but because of the Conservative passion you hold for the Constitution. Although you probably won’t read this, Sprite inspired me to compose these next few paragraphs:

A Schipperke is a small black dog born without a tail. His foxy face captures emotions like no other and his almond eyes can melt your soul. I’ve had two Schipperkes in my life. One broke my heart twice, one healed it.

Twenty years ago the unimaginatively named “Skipper” came into my life and decided he owned me, not the other way around. Schipperkes are remarkably territorial and tend to bond with only one individual for their lives. I don’t think, really, that they understand the master / pet relationship. An old line about cats can credibly be recast as: “Most dogs have masters, Schipperkes have staff.”

A financial reversal after Skipper had been with us for five years put me back on the road selling and gone for two weeks at a time. Skipper, as loving and loyal as he was, transferred his “ownership” to my wife. It wasn’t instantaneous. The shift from me to my wife was gradual, but it happened. When I realized what was happening, I was devastated. I no longer had “my puppy” following me around everywhere. We were still friends. We were still close. But that special bond we had was severed. I have to admit my spirit was weakened. I told myself, “get over it,” but I was hurt. (more…)

I have” known “Sprite and with my love of dogs, will know him again–The pain and anguish almost unbearable –we move forward to help all the other “Sprites” who so desparately need us.. Thank you for sharing your story and the proceeds to help others-like Sprite–They will forever live in our hearts as they did in our lives–

Marsha from NC

Thank you for taking the time to tell your story of Sprite. My dad read it and I just finished reading it. Being a dog lover and a foster parent for a local rescue group, I understand and sympathize with your love and your loss.

Growing up with at least one dog around at all times, when I purchased my first home I knew I wanted a dog. A Shar Pei (Grace) and Siberian Husky (Cleo) came into the family and quickly cemented themselves as family. I decided since I wanted to add another dog to the family, but felt three would be a bit crazy, that I would foster instead. By the way of a three legged Boxer named Skippy, I heard of a large Husky in dire need. He had been caught several times chasing birds in a bird sanctuary in Florida. A neighboring horse ranch owner offered to take him (to avoid being shot), but could only keep him chained in the barn. Since the rescue group had placed Skippy and knew I already had a Husky, they sought my help. A plane ride later, I met Lobo, as he had been called, as he unfolded himself from the very large airline crate. Severely underweight, ear tips bitten off from flies and looking rather raggedy (although clean) his blue eyes beamed as I took him home. After months of cooking him fresh meals to add weight, teaching him to negotiate the stairs and house training, Ed (his new name) was ingrained in my life.

Months turned into years and I decided, after the break up of a long time relationship, that for Valentine’s Day at my new house, I would try fostering again. I contacted Sheltered Paws Dog Rescue, the foster program for our local SPCA and made an appointment to meet two potential foster dogs. Even though our shelter is kept clean, it is always very crowded (17,000+ animals annually) and I simply could not decide which dog would go with me and which would stay behind. (more…)