A close friend gave me a copy of “Rescuing Sprite” after I lost “Seani”, my little Shih Tzu. Mark’s book gave me the assurance I needed to know there are others who have gone through the grief and questioning I was feeling when Seani died — that I wasn’t alone.

I adopted her from rescue about 5 years ago (or she adopted me!). Seani was a “breeder toss-out”, who could no longer have puppies and therefore, was expendable. Truthfully, I wanted a Yorkie or some other small breed of dog when I met her and in the process of waiting, I found myself falling in love with her little pug face, her fluffy tail that curled over her back and her big round eyes — one blue and one brown. I asked my friend, who was involved in rescue (and going broke), “What are you going to do with Seani?” “I’ll keep her unless someone like you comes along.”
That was it. She was mine. It took a long time for Seani to get used to not being crated or to being held in my arms, cuddled and loved.

She loved car rides but didn’t like to walk on a leash. She loved lying in the sun on the patio and warming her tummy, or just watching the birds and deer on our property. This was her “heaven”.

It was a very short five years for me. But when she died, the past five were the “best” years of her twelve year life! We laid her to rest in the woods that front our home, where our other beloved pets are buried. The tears still come, even as I write this tribute to Seani. She lives on in my heart and always will.

Thanks, Mark — and thanks, Sprite!!

Yvonne from VA

My husband and I just had to put our beloved chocolate lab “butch” to sleep. Butch didnt know he was a dog. He thought he was a person with a lot of hair. We had him for fourteen wonderful years. He was a big boy. Over 95 lbs, but as gentle a dog as you could ask for. My husband gave me your book for Christmas and I loved it. I think that you did everything posible for Sprite and he died knowing only love. My heart went out to the two dogs that got trapped in that swimming pool, and it took me a long time to put their plight out of my mind. Thanks again Mark and God bless.

Carol from CO

I just read your book “Rescuing Sprite” and it hit an emotional chord in me. Our dog of 12 years, Shamrock, was a Jack Russell Terrier that Santa Claus blessed our son with when he was 5. He lead a great life with us until cancer finally took its toll and we had to put him to sleep in May 2007. We took him on our RV trips on weekends and vacations. He even went with us to Disneyworld and stayed in the RV at the Fort Wilderness campground. We spent a few hours in the parks early in the day, but took much of the afternoon to let Shamrock enjoy Fort Wiilderness.

We too struggled with Shamrock’s last days and the guilt of ending it too soon. It was a very sad Sunday afternoon when my wife came to me sobbing after taking him for a final walk. She could see he was suffering and although it broke her heart said it was the end. We took him to a local vet hospital that was opened on weekends and off hours. We said our good byes and left him to finally be at peace.

Just two days before, knowing Shamrock’s days were limited, I had gone to the local shelter and picked out a puppy. She was supposed to be a Jack Russell mix. Unfortunately she was already spoken for, but I assured the staff that I would adopt her if the other family backed out. I was there bright and early the next morning to see if the puppy was picked up but the staff told me the family had not come back or called. (more…)

Dear Mark,

I just finished reading “Rescuing Sprite”. At first, I wasn’t sure I was ready to read anything that was animal related. But, my mom assured me this book would be a must read. You see, like you, we had to put our little Rusty down after 17 years and 4 months with the family. I have to say while reading your amazing story of Pepsi and Sprite, I somehow couldn’t help but to be reminded of our beloved Rusty. I never fully believed the unconditional love a sweet little four legged guy or gal could bring into my heart-not until we got Rusty.

Like your Spritey, our “Bubba” (that was his nickname) was our heart within our family. We had to let him go on 9/26/07. Apart of me, (just as you said in the book) wasn’t sure about another dog in the future. But after reading about your struggle with this, I now see opening my heart to another little come one day. The pain of losing Rusty hasn’t gotten any easier through these past months, and I am not too sure it will ever. But, the time we had with him was the most precious 17 years and 4 months of my life. I was just 15 years old when my parents welcomed him into my heart-and into their home. Even after I moved away, he was never far from me. I want to thank you Mark for writing such a touching story of your time with Sprite. It really has helped me,even through all my tears. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

From one dog lover to another, I am tearfully sorry for your loss.

Sheri from IL
P.S. I have attached a photo of our Rusty.

My 10 yr old son is dyslexic and in order to have him comprehend a book, I have to read out loud to him. He had to read a non fiction, so we picked your book since we have dogs we love. And have dogs buried under a “shrine” in our back yard (NO HOA!). Tonight we finished your book and your words touched Wyatt and I so much we were both crying too hard to read much of the “memory tree” chapter. I had to skip over Kendall’s note, etc. since Wyatt was just too sad. But I am SO GLAD you got Griffen, because that made us happy again.

Please see our picture, we also have a border collie like Pepsi, a femaie named Dolly who is also quite the stinker! Way too smart. Same trash can deal. The other two dogs are Desert and Dusty, Malamute/Husky mix. All adopted from Save Animals from Euthanasia. http://www.azsafeanimals.org/ and we estimate their birthdays at 2/2/2007. That is when we will celebrate them anyway. Groundhogs Day!

These are my kids with fur. I just went thru a 14 month long divorce and the pups helped the kids by distracting them, learning to train them plus just care for others, and they help me the two nights a week my human kids are at their Dad’s. I love my kids with fur more than anything aside from my human kids. I know how you feel. My previous dogs were my kids before I had kids and I have photos of my kdis saying goodbye that would break the hardest heart. THANKS for sharing. (more…)

Sydney, the dog we adopted from the Humane Society close to eight years ago, just passed away two weeks ago today, VERY SUDDENLY. He was beyond wonderful” as a pet for my husband and me, two senior citizens who have had and loved dogs most of our married life. Sydney was a stray the Humane Society picked up, and we adopted after our last dog got hit by a car in front of our home. Sydney came to us as a replacement of that dog, whom we were very close to, as well.

I do believe Syd was an angel sent to us as he adapted to our lifestyle immediately and showed his desire in life was to please us. And he did! We traveled with him, and he became one of us. So . . . needless to say, we were devastated and lost when he passed away so suddenly. Our tears come and go, and after reading “Rescuing Sprite,” the tears really flowed from both of us. We truly understand your loss.

Nina from MO