We adopted our dog, Sammy, from a rescue society three years ago. He looks so much like Pepsi! We learned through DNA analysis that he is a lab/ border collie. He is all black with long hair and blue spots on his tongue. He has many of the same behaviors as Pepsi — running around like mad, going through the trash cans when we are not home. I took him for obedience training and he has since become a champion in rally obedience trials. I enjoyed the book, Rescuing Sprite, very much. I’m attaching Sam’s Christmas picture.

Linda from MI

After hearing about your book on the radio, I told my family your book was my number one request for Christmas. I finished reading it and had to email you. My husband recently retired from the Navy so we have finally settled down. We’ve rescued some of the best dogs we have ever had. Just this year, we drove out of state and rescued a female pug that had been turned over to a shelter from a puppy mill. We were told she was six years old. “Diamond” only had 4 back teeth, weighed 11 pounds and looked sad. We were told when the vet went to clean her teeth they were falling out. I can only imagine what happened to her before we brought her home.

As the days went by, I continued to check the website for the shelter where we rescued Diamond. (There were 6 pugs turned over to this shelter.) Each day I thought there was no reason why we couldn’t give one more a wonderful home. I finally convinced my husband. I took off work early and we headed out of state again. I tried calling the shelter and could not get an answer. We arrived in the town and I still had not been able to reach the shelter by phone. We stopped at a gas station and my cell phone rang. It was the shelter. The lady that runs the shelter had been running errands that morning. (more…)

I truly enjoyed your story of Sprite. I need to say that it’s ironic that I picked up your book in the airport, having looked at my 5 year old mixed breed (who I got from a rescue in CA) a week or so earlier and realizing that she’d one day break my heart. Winnie and I have been through a lot and she’s here with me as I type this e-mail.

I had no idea who you were or anything of the story of Sprite until that day I picked up your book in the airport. You need to know that a grown man was teary eyed the entire way home to visit my family. It made me think of how lucky I am to have my dog–she’s involved with every part of my life. My girlfriend of 2 years, who was never a “dog person” absolutely adores the dog and agrees that life is much better with Winnie than without her. As you can see from the picture, Winnie loves everyone, including the cat!

Winnie is 5 years old, I hope she’s with me at least another 8 years…..I tell her that she’s under contract for a full 12 years minimum and then her time is her own after that!

I’ve always known how important my animals are to me and hate losing them. We all do. To everyone out there that’s lost their pet, I hope your grief eases. And for the rest of us who still have our pets with us, we need to give them a little more love each day since we won’t get a second chance when they are gone.

Best wishes to all in 2008!

Paul from TN

Dear Mark,

Happy New Year! I just finished reading “Rescuing Sprite” and it brought back so many emotions. In May 2004 my family had to put out Chocolate Lab Fudgie to sleep. He was a great friend and spent almost 14 years with us.

When I was 19 years old my parents divorced and my house was often chaotic. Despite it all Fudgie was there with simple reassurances. I remember coming home late many nights hoping all was quiet, and he was always there to greet me. I remember sitting on the floor with him, hugging him, and he never moved. He sat with me sensing that I needed a friend.
As I look back on those chaotic years I always worry that we didn’t pay Fudgie enough attention. We were all so wrapped up in what was going on I know he sometimes got pushed to the side. I still pray he knew how loved he was, and I have been reassured by family and friends that he did.

Like you, when Fudgie died I swore it would take time, even years before I could welcome another dog. I thought that would need to be put off until I had my own kids, but that wasn’t to be. Two years ago on my brother’s 16th birthday my Mom’s fiance brought us our new dog, Missy. She is a pit bull terrier, and despite the stereotype one of the most loving animals I have ever met! When Missy came to live with us I swore she was “their dog” I couldn’t let her be my dog so soon after Fudgie’s passing. I felt like I was betraying him. Then one night I had a dream. Fudgie came running into the room wagging his tail like he had done for so many years. And behind him was Missy. I knew it was him presenting her to me, telling me it was okay to accept her! And now despite spending less time in my family home, and more time in what will become my new apartment when my fiance and I get married next November, Missy has become “Our Dog.”

I pay special attention to her whenever I can, so I never have to wonder years from now if she knew she was loved! Like Fudgie she is a good friend and I am thrilled that she is part of the family.

Thank you for the book Mark! It means a lot to all of us who have been on that same emotional roller coaster!

John from NY

My daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year. My wants aren’t much anymore and I don’t want her spending alot on me. So I told her about Rescuing Sprite. She gave it to me and I thought I could have it read in a day. It took a week! It was so enjoyable and truely brought back memories of my last Irish Setter, Zeke, especially.. I am such a fan of adopting out of shelters and the fact that part of the proceeds will go to shelters was great.

In 1994 I got 2 Irish Setters, Zeke and Zack. Zack delveloped seizures and and had to be put down at age 7. The vet would not let me be with him and I have never forgot that. Zeke lived 6 more years and was a constant companion of mine. This time the vet that was caring for him told me when it was time to put him to sleep. He had arthritus and pancreatitus. His organs were failing and his quality of life had gone. He let us keep him in the SUV came out to the car to put his life to rest. I held him in my arms. The vet turned around after it was done and was crying also. I have never felt the pain that I did that day. BUt I was thankful to be able to hold him during his last seconds. That is why the last part of the book was so hard to get through, but I needed to read it. I too got a new puppy, after vowing to never have any more dogs again. Thank you Mark for a great book and I wsh you luck with Pepsi and Griffen.

Kathy from CO

Dear Mark,

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite and what a wonderful tribute. I myself had a wonderful friend. Her name was Hannah and I was blessed to have her for 16 1/2 years. Like you I had to make the hard decision to have her put to sleep which was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My Hannah was with my daughter and I thru some tough times and made life easier to deal with. I had been married to a man for 24 years who was physically, verbal and sexually abusive to both my daughter and myself. But some of those facts I did not find out until my daugher was 21 years old. Anyway, I finally found the strength to divorce this person and had to pay him $500.00 to keep my precious Hannah which was worth every penny. With good friends and therapy we both have come on top but not without the unconditional love from my Hannah. I was by myself for 6 wonderul years and finally met a man who is a god send. It was as if Hannah hung on until she knew her mom was going to be OK. But it still doesn’t make that decision any easier and I admire that you left that part out for the sake of your kids. Anyway, I had Hannah cremated and have made my wishes known that she is to be buried with me when it is my time to go to heaven.

Bless you for sharing your wonderful story with everyone. I think of my Hannah each and every day with a smile on my face and I know she is still looking after me.

Best Regards,
Terri from OH