When I was born, my parents adopted two golden retrievers named Duke and Jesse. 12 years later, Duke suffered a heart attack and passed away. I still remember bawling my eyes out when I saw his lifeless body.

That winter Jesse gave birth to a litter of 5. They were born outside and Jesse hid them in the snow. All but one had died in the cold before we found them and brought them inside. The lone survivor was shaking and trembling in survival mode. We named her Spaz. A few years later, Jesse died of a stroke. And eight years of joy and memories later, Spaz suffered the same fate. Mark, thank you for writing this book. I have bought copies for my grandfather and my aunt as well.

Barry from IL

P.S. – I received a whoopee cushion for Christmas from my big brother.

My brother gave me your book for Christmas. We had just lost Louie our 9 year old Golden Retriever to cancer. We didn’t even know he had cancer until he was under the knife to look for an intestinal blockage. The morning before he jumped in the truck just as happy as can be. You could never tell how sick he really was because he was just the same old Louie as always.

I made the decision to euthanise him. The vet said there was really nothing they could do. I know how you felt, the guilt and tremendous worry that maybe I could have done something for him. I was the last one in the family to see his face alive and smiling. I dropped him at the vets then that was it. We all thought he would be coming home. It has been a great shock to our family. I wanted to thank you for writing this book. I know it must have taken tremendous courage. God bless you and your family.

Beth from MD

I recieved your book for Christmas from my daughter. She knows I love my dogs as much as I love my children, they are my babies. I have rescued 4 in all so far. Max is the oldest he is 9, a lab and golden mix, Lucy is 7 a terrier and german shepard mix (or so we were told-not sure) Sam is 3 a beagle and hound mix, then there is Jack I found while camping last year, he was only 4lbs full of ticks and fleas I took him home to find him a home, well he found a home at our house.

They all get along so well, if one has to go the vet the others are very anxious until they come home. They sleep on our king size bed with us except Max, he gets too hot. Your book was wonderful, brought tears to my eyes, as my Max is getting older and has started having problems with his joints, we have to put him on meds some in the winter months. I will have all my dog loving friends read this. Thank you for such a great read.

Rebecca from MO

I wrote this for our lab-mix who was put to sleep in July of 2006 and want to share it with fellow dog lovers.

Doc, our good buddy

Scott found you as an abandoned and abused puppy. When you were new to us, you would hide your face between my arm and the side or my body and stay very still for a few minutes. As your health and confidence grew, that habit faded away and was forgotten.

We shared our lives together for eleven years. You were the least demanding dog we have ever been blessed to live with and love. It was as if you were so thankful to have a home that you didn’t want to be a lot of trouble.

Over the last few months we watched as day by day, life became increasingly difficult for you. One late night, while we were outside, you walked up and hid your face between my arm and the side of my body and stayed very still for a few minutes. Memories of your days as a puppy seeking comfort came back to me. I knew what you were saying. Thank you for staying with us as long as you could,for the gift of time to say goodbye. You were giving until the end. Thank you for love, loyalty, and happiness.

Rest in peace good buddy, you will live in our hearts.

Love,

Ann and Scott from GA

My brides of 38 years had a great genius golden retreiver named rufus(red face in latin) who could read minds and do what she wanted every time, except of couse when he saw a deer alll bets were off. My favorite memory of this great dog was in my 20 acre woods in East Texas. I was on one side of our 15 foot deep ravine which is 25 feet across. I heard rufus running chasing a great stag which leaped the ravine with ease. rufus with full confidence leap folllowing the stag. He ended up with a great splash in the creek in the ravine. I will never forget the look of pur ejoy on his face as he leptg with full confidence and did a classic Wily E Coyote fall.

He died while my bride was driving home from Austin tx after visiting our son Ted who was a student at UT. He had a bloody pericardial effusion which is always cancer in 10 year old goldens. My wife has never forgiven herself 3 years now for not being with her great friend at the end. (more…)

Rescuring Sprite was such an awesome book. Mark, thank you for writing it. A friend bought it for me after my dog, Brinkley, suddenly passed away. He was our very best friend. He was only 4 years old and went to have his ACL repaired. He died on the operating table (as soon as they put him under). An autopsy showed he had a bad heart. We are truly devastated. He died the day after Thanksgiving; it’s been 6 weeks and we still sob for him. I broke down once again this morning. I miss him terribly.

I know exactly how your family felt, Mark. They are your best friends and part of your family. Only a dog lover could possibly understand what they mean to you. It’s like losing one of my children. My kids use to tease that he was my favorite. He was always there for me. When I felt down, he knew it and would comfort me. He was always there to greet all of us when we came home. He loved us all differently. I bought a stone for the yard with his picture on it for my husband and made a beautiful scrap book for my children. Christmas was extremly sad for us–we had his empty stocking hung just like you did. His ashes sit on my entertainment center with 2-8×10 pictures (one when he was a puppy and one as an adult). His memory will live on forever.

Terri from PA