I also had a “Pepse” that I rescued. But, it was not from a shelter. My daughter was waiting for me to pick her up from school and while she was waiting, a van pulled up and threw a little dog out of the door. When I arrived all the girls were so upset so I went on a mission to find this dog. Pepsi was with us for 13 years until last May, when the cancer got the best of him. He was a beagle/jack russell mix. He will always be missed.

Pam from MD

“POKE”. was more than my dog. She was my friend, my fishing buddy, my navigator, for more than ten years. In May it will be 2 years since my little Springer Spaniel passed away. I still miss her as much now as ever. There is a grave with a cross in my back yard. Poke’s collar hangs on the cross. There is an empty spot on my boat. It still belongs to Poke. She was the navigator.

Capt. Indian Jim from FL

Mark,

Thank you for writing this book. It has brought me that much closer to my dogs (pics enclosed). I am currently in the middle of an ugly divorce that has been tough on me. I really thought that I was living alone again now after she left, but after reading your book that I am not. My two buddies have been here and trying to “take care of me” and I was too concerned with myself to realize this. Once again thank you for writing this book. It has taught me to see the blessings I have rather then the problems I am going through. By the way, the Jack Russell in the photos is named Reagan, and the Greyhound is named Rush (believe it or not this was his racing name).

P.S. Please put a link to an adoption agency for retired racing greyhounds on your site. These are some of the most loving, wonderful dogs in the world and they need a home as much as any shelter dog. By the way, my wife and I had six dogs between us. She took four of them (3 Italian Greyhounds, one we adopted from our vet, and a shelter Rat terrior that was days, maybe hours from being put down. I do miss them dearly, especially the rat, but despite me and my ex-wifes problems, I know they are being taken care of well.

Tom from IN

A beautiful movie star lived with me for 16 years. He shone like a star on a Christmas
tree. Although no one ever asked him for his autograph, most people “oohed” and
“ahhed” a lot when they saw him and wanted to know all about him.
When I first brought him home, he fit into the palm of my hand. It was a blustery,
snowy, winter day and being snatched from his mommy’s teet and out into the cold was
very traumatic for him, as he was shaking like a tiny California earthquake.

His lines were rather limited as he could only bark and snore but in no time he had
memorized his role and could ask to go outside ‘to perform his business’.
It was in the first year of his life that he knew when we passed famous places in the
car, too. His favorites were McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. He could smell
the burgers sizzling on the grill and the mouth-watering chicken frying as we passed by
them in the car. He’d feel entitled to a bit of that Big Mac or some of that ‘finger-lickin’
food and, with a whimper, would rush to the window as if he was going to place a drive-
through order.

There were times when he would take on the attitude of a spoiled super star, especially
if he had bravely snatched an old chicken bone dropped by a passing squirrel or some
other tidbit of bad food he had found on the ground. Then a total metamorphosis would
come into being like a Jekyll grotesquely turning into Hyde. He would froth at the
mouth if you tried to take his forbidden fruit away. It would have been quite laughable
seeing this little, white, seemingly eyeless, dust mop holding onto his morsel while
attacking the broom that I would have to use to try to take it away from him, if not for
the fact that I would be worried he was going to choke over the slapstick episode. (more…)

Dear Mark,

I was very touched by “Rescuing Sprite”. I have been fortunate enough to share my adult life with dogs-most of which were rescues. I can relate to how you felt when you lost Sprite. I recently had to put an elderly rescue dog to sleep because of a progressive neurological illness. Towards the end of his life, I carried him downstairs several times a day, so he could relieve himslef on pads as I held him. He was blind and deaf by then. He ate well, and barked when he wanted me( I carried him around the apartment.) I was afraid I wouldn’t know when the time was right to let him go. Like you, I second guessed myself for a long time.

I read your book in one sitting. I ended up with tears of sympathy and empathy.
the only thing worse than losing them would be never having had them in our lives at all.
i’m glad that you were able to adopt Griffin.
All the best to you and your family.

Barbara from NY

I just finished your book. Hard to read because it opens holes in my heart. After losing my Gunner and Callie I vowed never to own a dog again…just too painful. I started working at the shelter because I enjoy working with dogs. Yep, you guessed it, I now have two shelter dogs that are the best dogs in the world! It gives me great pleasure to help people find the right dog…a match made in heaven, as you know. It also tears my heart when a decision has to be made to euthanize. A young pup came in, hit by car, serious injuries…there was not a choice. Even when we don’t know the animal it hurts. We experience the same feelings you did…we don’t want to be God…we don’t want to determine the day of death. It is just a job that has to be done. Thanks for the book, its a gem

Emily from OH