Hi Mark, I have just finished reading Rescuing Sprite. My husband gave it to me for Christmas. It is a wonderful book. I know what you and your family been going through. I have lost many dogs over the years, but two of them were very special to our family. One of the dogs was a Dachsund mix named Fella. He died at the age of 15 from diabetes and kidney failure. The other dog was a Terrior/Spitz mix who died from liver failure. He had arthritis and was given Rimadyl. They told us the medicine had destroyed his liver. He was 18 when he died. We had to have them both put to sleep. This is the hardest thing anyone can do, but I think this shows how much a person loves their pet when they decide not to let them suffer anymore. I know it is hard, but you will always have the memories of Sprite like I have of Fella and Trooper. I have a Brittany/Border Collie mix that I rescued when she was a puppy. Her name is Brittany and she is now 8 years old. At the age of 3 she had some seizures but the Vet did not think it was serious. She now has arthritis and atrophy. She has good days and bad, but still loves to go out for long walks. She is real special to me because I got her three months before another of my dogs a Dachsund named Heidi died from old age. Brittany alerted me to the fact my breathing was not right one night and I later found out that I have asthma. I thank God daily for all of my pets. I also have two Beagles that are 2 years old. They are a female named Ginger and a male named Einstein. God Bless you and your family for caring about animals the way you do. I wish more people cared about dogs and realized that dogs are a good companion and for all and that they help us to heal when we are sick. Again God Bless You and thank you for sharing your story. Keep us informed on Pepsi and Griffin.

Debra from TX

Hi Mark, I just finished your book about Sprite. My family got it for me for Christmas. Animals touch our lives in such special ways.

I grew up with dogs. They will always be a part of my life. My husband and I got a chow puppy when we were in college and planning to be married in 1985. We named him Beau because he was so beautiful.

We had him for 14 and a half years. I know chows have a reputation for being mean but this was the most gentle chow you can ever imagine. He went with us through 5 moves around the country. Every new vet he went to in each new place said he was the nicest chow they had ever encountered, never a bit of aggression. At the end he was completely deaf, had arthritis and was dealing with other old age problems but he handled it all with such dignity. We lost him in Nov. 1999.

We got a wonderful welsh corgi puppy whom we named Katie when Beau was 9. She went through several moves with us also. She and Beau got along so well. We lost Katie last year right before Thanksgiving to kidney disease. That was the worst as you can identify because she was sick and there was nothing we could do but watch her deteriorate. But she was 12 and their ages let me know we took good care of them. That pleases me and gives me some comfort. But I miss them terribly. And so often I imagine how soft their fur was and remember all the silly things they did.

It has been a year and I am ready for a new dog. We are going to take a 5 yr golden retriever named Sadie into our home. Her owner is ill and cannot care for her. We are so looking forward to having a dog again. Thank you for sharing your story. It’s nice to know others feel the same way about our incredible animals.

Peggy from OH

The best Christmas present I received was from my 20 year old step son – your book. I kept putting off buying it for myself because I was supposed to be buying Christmas gifts.

My husband and I had two 9 year old Pomeranians, Bailey (an orange) and Dixie (black/white parti) and an 8 year old Bichon, Prissy. We had a happy little family including my elderly Mom & Dad who lived across the street with their 3 year old poodle, Pixie. In Sep 2007 Mom and Dad had to move to an retirement apartment. I agreed to take Pixie, so then I had 4 fur kids.

Daddy has Alzheimer’s and was having trouble adjusting to the new living arrangements. Three weeks later, Mom was starting to have health issues including a hospital stay. We all decided that it was time for them to go live with my sister in Minnesota since she doesn’t work outside the home and she has space for them up there. So within just a few days, Mom got out of the hospital and we packed them up to move.

The day they left for Minnesota, Daddy was having a bad day. We finally got him in the car and off they went. I was very upset because they’d always lived at most an hour away from me and I knew I would miss them terribly.

Sixteen hours after they left came the most devastating event of my 46 year old life. (more…)

My mother, father and I are only children. So you can tell right away my fanily has been small. Most of my life I’ve had a dog or dogs. They have been my brothers, sisters and of course my besr friends. Every time I’ve lost one it’s been a heartache. I’ve also lost a son when he was 30 yrs old. A true heartache. However without my family and friends it would have been unbareable. We all know God has His plan we don’t always know what it is but He did make sure I had my dogs! I don’t know if I can really tell you how but without them Im not sure I could have gotten through my sons loss with out them. the unconditional love my dogs gave to me helped so much. I really don’t have the words in my heart to properly describe my feelings. I don’t ever want to be without them.

Thank you for the book . You are able to say these word so much better than I can. Thank you for your show . I listen every chance I can. Which is just about every day. If only people had the insight that our dogs have what a wourld we would have. Hey maybe that is heaven. Thank you again.

Lottie from TX

I just wanted to say thank you as a daily listener and for your book . I have not seen my granddaughter for 3 yrs. until Christmas Eve when I learned at 7 yrs. of age she is determined to be an “animal cop”. I bought your book for her. God bless you, Mark

Kathy from IL

Dear Mark,

I received your book “Rescuing Sprite” as a Christmas present in hope that it would help me deal with my recent loss.

Blondie was my best friend. She was a beautiful 9 1/2 yr old Golden Retriever. I had to put her to sleep suddenly on December 4, 2007 when liver and spleen cancer was diagnosed.

She was a survivor in the past years. Blondie lost her buddies Max and Tommy. All Goldens, Max died 5 yrs ago and Tommy died of heart disease at age 5, three years ago. It was the same week my husband of 28 years left me for another woman.

Blondie and I were together through it all. She became the mayor of my neighborhood. Everybody loved her and she loved to be loved. Her legacy is that she helped me meet so many wonderful people because of her insistance of sitting on the side walk and making anyone going by pat her first. Then with tail wagging we could go on our way.

My house is empty for the first time in my life. I have a tremendous void especially walking through the door coming in from work.

I just received Blondie’s ashes before Christmas. Holding them is surreal in a beautiful cherry box.

I thank your for letting me just write this note.
It will take me a few weeks to read your book. I took one look at the cover and started to cry. I wanted however the opportunity to express my love for Blondie.

I love you Blondie. I want the world to know it. You were my very best friend. My Blondo girl, my beauty queen. Thank you for taking care of me. I love you with all my heart.

Kathleen from NJ