On 9-11-2001, the devastating news came to our TV’s and hearts that we all will remember for the rest of our lives. I pulled my kids out of school and took the day off of work to be with them and to explain to them, what had happened.
We were walking at Virginia Lake, a large geese and duck pond in south Reno, when there was activity where there should have been none. In the dumpster…..I had no problem climbing in, scared it might be a homeless person who had injured themselves.

It was not. It was a glad bag, full of puppies. Sadly, all were dead but one. One black puppy with back paws looking as if they were dipped in paint. Scared and starving, she weighed but a mere 1.5 lbs. I frantically searched the bag, but no more survivors. 8 brothers and sisters perished horribly on the day she was saved.

It was not me that saved her, but her that saved me. You see, one week later I lost my job and was jobless for almost a year. Without her by my side, I don’t know what I would have done. She reminded me, day after day, how much I was needed.

We named her Hope. I love you Hope.

Marion from NV

Katy is a PBGV that God put in my hands 10 yrs. ago. Don’t know how old she is but don’t expect many more years. My life @ 49 could be worse but I’m not sure how. Thank you for the book. I wake up to Katy every day and smile.

Bart from AZ

This is Julia again. Today I just found out that my neighbors had to put down their four-legged friend, Harley. She was one of the sweetest golden retrievers you will ever meet. I really loved her, and one of my dogs, Amber, had a really special bond with her. I would often see her owner, Marcia, walking Harley before or after school. I will really miss that. I used to take care of her when Marcia went on vacation, and we would always have a great time.

Harely, I will always remember you and your funny antics. Best wishes.

Julia from VT

On my 10th birthday I got the best present ever, a beagle puppy that needed a home. I named him Sandy. He went everywhere I did and was my best friend. Ten years later I was a young GI serving a tour in Vietnam. Getting letters from mom back home and hearing news about Sandy was something to live for. One day her letter informed me she and dad had to put Sandy to sleep. I cried my eyes out. Afterward I felt it was a little inappropriate to cry for a dog in the midst of being surrounded by immense suffering, pain and horrible loss all around me. But I will never forget the pain in my gut reading that letter and realizing I would never see Sandy again. I can still feel it to this day.

A loyal and loving pet is truly a gift from God. The message I took away from Mark’s book is that our pets are a gift on loan from God for a very short time and we need to enjoy and appreciate them as well as the people we have been blessed with in our lives while we still have time on this earth.

Matt from MO

Mark: Our family took our little dog of 16 years “Dewey” to the vet on Saturday and had him put down. It was sooo much harder than any of us thought it would be. My husband, sons 19 & 21 and myself bawled our eyes out over the finality of losing a member of our family. I have been listening the last several weeks to all your listeners/readers comments on your book and told my oldest boy that I want “Rescuing Sprite” for Christmas and that we will all read it.

I am hoping that sharing your experience will help us deal with the grief that is so raw right now.
Thanks for your show, thanks for writing the book.

Sincerely,

Glenda from FL

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite, and my heart was touched beyond words. Being an animal lover myself I have had many pets I rescued from shelters. Sadly I have lost a few over the years. The pain of losing a beloved pet is very painful, some wonder why we put ourselves through this time after time, I myself sometimes wonder too. But in the end it all comes down to love. Even with all the pain I would not trade one day I have enjoyed with each of my babies. At this time I have 3 cats and one great big lovable dog named Max. My heart felt thanks to you for sharing your Pepsi and Sprite with us.

Sheila from GA