SAVING SPRITE, has really touched my heart. Having gone through much of the same, I cried and cried. I now have a beautiful red mixed dog, RED, he has been with me for 9 years having found him on a back road in CA. I lost my home there in a wild fire, then lost my husband shortly after. Red has been my life saver, he is now with me in KS. There is no better friend and love than a dog. Thank you for your beautiful book about Sprite and Pepsi. You have my deepest sympathy, GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Betty from KS

Dear Mark,

i just finished you book about sprite, I loved it. we just had to put my dog down about nine months ago. Her name was baily she was a beagle mix she was 13 years old . reading your book brought her back to life inside of me. when chris came to put sprite down I remembered that day when we put ours down ( I cried for abuot twenty minutes, shhhhh), it was heart wrenching to read about someone else losing their dog when the same happenned to me. Almost everything that sprite did baily such as the devil run, baily would run she would run up and down the halls and smash into walls. we would always joke that she would break a hip. Anyway I liked you book and I will always remember sprite.

thank you

Dylan from AZ
P.S. the picture is baily

Mark, what a wonderful book. I’ve had dogs with me all through my life from the collie on the farm to my beloved black labrador & rescue beagle now. My two are old gentlemen now – Ben (the lab) has lupus and Billy (the beagle) is being tested for Cushings disease. We have many ups and downs now but you know dogs only ever hurt you once and that’s when you lose them – what more wonderful love can you have than that.

I’ve been priviledged to share love several times and each time it was to be the last but deep in my heart I know I’ll always have a dog with me. Bless you and your family for the love, care and consideration you showed Sprite. May Pepsi and Griffen know that same love and consideration for a long time. I shed a lot of tears for you when I read the book Rescuing Sprite and some for the difficult decisions that may come my way this year.

Ethel from England

Dear Mark and family;

I ordered 3 signed copies of your book to give my husband and two boys (26 and 33) for Christmas. I just finished readingRescuing Sprite, and grabbed a flashlight and waded through the snow out to the spot in the backyard where our beloved Spooky is buried.

We rescued Spooky from the most horrible trash filled house I’ve ever seen in my life, when he was only 8 weeks ago. He had worms, ear mites and all sorts of things wrong with him, but a kind vet treated him and I took him to live in a group home for mentally challenged people and gae him to Robert, who needed a special friend. [ Keeping him in our family was not an option for us, as our older son had displayed severe allergic reactions to chickens, turkeys and guinea pigs, and our pediatrician had advised us never to get a dog.] Well, the situation with Robert didn’t work out, so we retrieved Spooky 4 days later intending to find him another home. However, our family had fallen in love with this little black ball of fur, and he became a Mooradian. The pediatrician advised that if Spook didn’t sleep in Stephen’s bedroom that perhaps the allergies wouldn’t bother him, but from day 1, Spook slept on his bed. Thank God, the allergies never developed. Spook was a mixture of cocker, poodle and chihuahua and only weighed 18 pounds, but it was 18 pounds of unconditional love. My husband and I had it all figured out — Spook’s life expectency was 12 – 14 years. That would mean that when our younger son, Greg, went to college, Spook’s life would be over, and his father and I would be free to travel, etc, not tied down by feedings and walks, etc. Well, the boys were both out of college and Greg was an ensign in the US Navy and assigned to an atomic submarine, so Spook adopted me and became my dog. Not willing just to sleep in my bed, he wanted to sleep with his head beside mine on the pillow, or better yet, right on my head. Cancer reared its ugly head, and Spook went through 3 tumor removals,
but it never got him down. (more…)

I just finished your book, Rescuing Sprite. I was moved to tears, sobbing many times. It touched so close to home for me.
I recently (Aug. 16, 2007) had to make the dreadful decision to have my Yorkshire Terrior of 13 yrs.(Brittney) put to sleep. I had to go through many of the same agonizing decisions leading up to “the day.” It has been, to this day, the worst thing I have ever had to do.

Just like you, I questioned myself as to if there was anything else I could have done for her. Sometimes I feel as though I have let her down. I couldn’t help her when she needed me most. I feel the guilt of all the times she was there for me when I was sick or hurting, and in her major time of need, there wasn’t anything I could do for her. She loved me unconditionally…no matter of my many moods (good or bad) or how I looked on any given day. She never judged me.

I thank you so much for writing this book. It has reassured in me that I am not alone and that others (many others) are grieving just the same. I now know I am not alone in feeling what I’m feeling. Our pets are so much a part of our families, they are our children.

I miss my Brittney daily, I have her buried in my side yard and go out and talk to her often. She will forever be a part of me and who I am today. She taught me love, compassion and forgiveness.

Someday I hope I will be brave enough to bring another pet into our home. I miss the sound of tags jingling, and the patter of paws in my kitchen, I even miss the tiny little nose prints on my patio door. But right now the pain is just too fresh. I can’t imagine having to have to go through this pain again.

I am so sorry for your loss of Sprite and thank you so much for sharing him with us (your readers). I will treasure this book always. It will hold a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf.

Sherry from IN

Hi Mark,

I have to admit I am not someone who’s listened to you forever. My Dad actually turned me on to you and I’m glad he did. He knows how I feel about animals (dogs in general) and told me how awesome you were and how much of a dog lover you are.

So here I am! I’m hooked!

I have 2 dogs but would love to have more. My oldest dog is named “Mattie”. She is a 7 year old Jack Russell and hates all other dogs, except my other dog, “Chubbs”. Chubbs is a 4 year old fox terrier/chow mix and boy is he a sweetheart. He has a personality all his own. I have my own business here at home so I’m here with my dogs everyday. They follow me from room to room and go with me everywhere in the car. My youngest son, who is 14, says all the kids call me the “dog lady”. It really bothers him but it doesn’t bother me. I told him I don’t think that’s such a bad thng. I told him dogs are better than people most of the time anyway. I love my dogs more than anything. I told my husband when I die I want my dog’s ashes put in with mine. He thinks I’m crazy but I’m completely serious. I like the quote from Will Rogers which goes something like this “if they don’t allow dogs in heaven, I want to go where they go”. I sure hope they allow dogs in heaven because I want to be in charge of them all!

I could go on and on but I know you’re a busy guy. My nusband bought your book for me and I had him get another for my sister-in-law who recently had to put her dog down after 14 years of a happy life. I could tell she was still grieving so I thought your book would help. I’m not finished with it yet, I’m only in the beginning but I love it so far. You sound exactly like me with your dogs. My husband was also reluctant to let me have a dog and now we have 2 so that’s not too bad. I feel the same as you though, as far as going to the shelters. I have often thought of volunteering there but I”m afraid my heart couldn’t take it. It would be breaking everyday! I told myself if I ever win the lottery I’m gong to open a “no kill” shelter. Until that day though, I just try to keep my eyes peeled for any animal being mistreated and reporting it immediately. We all have to remember….dogs have no voice, they depend on us to speak for them and I vow to help as many as I can.

Thanks for letting me share my story with you. You are an awesome guy.

Your dog-loving friend,

Melody from KY