I bought your book and it has given me strength as our 15 1/2 year shep mix Annie, has been having problems with old age, arthritis, almost all her sight is gone but she is still a trooper like your Sprite. Annie like Sprite is a rescue dog from a no kill group in Illinois. We adopted her on our first anniversary hence the name “Annie”. We also adopted 2 Yorkies one around 7 and the other around 12 who was left to die at a construction site in S. GA. No one wanted to adopt the old boy so I did.
If you like I can send photos of the “kids”.
Sincerely,

Bob from FL

About three weeks ago, I purchased Rescuing Sprite and I honestly think it was a God sent. I did not know at the time that in just two weeks after reading your book my sweet dachshund, Belle developed degenerative disc disease at a short age of four. Within one day she was completely paralyzed in her back legs. Over Christmas weekend, she was hospitalized and treated with steroids. We continued to nurse her until New Years Eve, but she never showed any signs of improvement. Sadly, the best thing for my beloved pet was to put her to sleep. The book prepared me during her ailment and her passing. Just as Mark did, I plan to plant a tree in Belle’s memory.

Belle was one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve known. She was not a very active dog, and typically loved to sleep in her bed. Otherwise, her favorite spot was in my lap constantly trying to lick my face (and I of course let her). :)
Belle is missed.

Preston from TX

Our dog, Blackie, was a mix-breed, but I suspect she was part sheep dog, by her actions and the way she ran around. We had to put her to sleep on Sept. 26’07 and she was later creamated. Her ashes are buried in our yard. We got her as a pup and she was then a little ball of black fur. We miss her very much. Cats are cute, but cannot return the love a dog can, esp when we need it, and a dog can sense that need. Thank you,

Donald from NJ

We lost our beloved English Springer Spaniel, Chewy, on the evening of December 31 (2 nights ago). Chewy was brought home as a puppy in May of 2005 along w/ Tucker, his brother who is mine (Chewy is really my Mom & Step-dad’s but we view them all as ours). I never dreamed that Chewy and Tucker would never grow old together, that one of them would be taken w/o so much as a good-bye. Chewy and two other dogs, Ladybug & Mia, were able to dig out of the backyard that evening. The neighbors were able to catch Ladybug & Mia, but our Chewy was just too scared. We all searched up and down the roads, knowing Chewy would never go too far, but the darkness from night kept us from seeing him.

When my step-brother, Levi, was making another trip back up the busy street my parents live off of, he saw Chewy lying in the middle of the road and a 20 ft. blood trail. None of us wanted to believe it and no matter how much we cried and begged for it not to be, then yelled and screamed at the Heavens for it not to be, it was and now we are left to deal with this tragedy which is not the first for our family. In August & September 2002 we also lost our beloved cat, Oreo, our beloved dog, Jake (who very much so looks like your Sprite) and my Grandfather (My Mom’s Dad). Time has helped us to heal through those times but we have never forgotten them.

And now, just days after finishing your book (both my Mom & I as we recieved your book for Christmas), we have lost our beloved Chewy and find it just as hard as the others but just a bit more due to Chewy’s young age. All of our hearts are broken and I feel some sense of guilt (yet I hold him closer and love him even more) that I still have my Tucker. I don’t know how to him around my Mom & Tim or say his name without him being a constant reminder of Chewy and their brotherly bond. Any and all prayers would be welcomed as I pray for you and all those in this world of animal lovers for your beloved companions.

With Love,

Christine from TX

Such a wonderful read and what a beautiful dog. I rescued a male Doberman and had to euthanize him almost 2 years ago. It was the hardest and saddest thing i have ever done. It is amazing how a dog can impact your life. He was my dobie boy and at my side all the time. Sometimes i knew he was in such pain, that if i got out of the chair or bed, he would to. I would wait until i had to get up. All life is precious. I buried him under an oak tree on our property. It will be 2 years in February, and i still weep.

Sherri from TX

I just finished your book, reading it in one sitting. I found no surprises in it, as my wife and I have been active in Sheltie Rescue for about 9 years. We have four Shelties (3 rescued, one an adoption) and one that left us (Brownie) for the Rainbow Bridge (See below) in 2004.

Losing a dog is one of life’s great pains – but the joy they give us during their all too brief lives more than balances it out.
We, too, planted a tree in Brownie’s memory. It shelters the rest of the “boys” and the occasional foster dog for the group we volunteer for: Northern VA Sheltie Rescue. (www.nvsr.org)

When another dog comes home, it’s not a “replacement.” There is no such thing. It is a new life to cherish until it too dies like a candle flame.

In rescue, one sees the best and the worst qualities of humans. We have seen Shelties come in so desperately ill, for example, that their first vet visit is their last. We have cried over them just as if they had lived with us since puppyhood and cursed those that allowed them to get into such terrible shape. Then we go out and help another, and another. “I can’t save them all, but I can save THIS one.” (more…)