15 years ago I found a creature who turned out to love me as very few creatures could. I found 4 kittens and a mother cat beside my mother’s house. Not wanting 4 more strays in the neighborhood, I took all five to the vet, had the mother cat fixed and released her but kept the 4 kittens. We bottle fed the kittens for several weeks till weaned and eventually found homes for all but one.

This brings me to my story. I tell this as I cannot bare the thought of loosing one memory of this special creature. We decided to keep her mainly because she was so ugly she was cute, she was a tortoise shell calico, all dark and muddy in color, but I came to see her beauty. She from the beginning gravitated to me, and loved me as if I was her dad.

As a kitten my wife Patti taught her, when you said “do the baby thing” and she would roll over on her back and let you rock her in your arms, as you would a child. We commented often that she did not know she was a cat, because of the way she slept; in between Patti and I flat on her back with her head on my pillow. (more…)

Today we had to put my beloved Great Dane Shiloh to sleep after being part of our family for 10 1/2 years. She would LOVE to watch Animal Planet and could clear a coffee table with her tail when she saw an animal on TV. She always thought she was a lap dog and was MY dog until the end. She said goodbye to me at 2am this morning when I went out to check on her, and I knew she needed to go. My first baby…I always say, and I will love her and miss her always!

Sarah from CA

my dog sparky is a rescue dog.she is a long haired chihuahua/terrier cross and the most adorable thing you ever saw. my husband found this small creature wandering aimlessly on July 4,2000. she was terrified of everything and shaking like a leaf. she had mange and fleas and we would later find out that she suffers from seizures. my husband brought her in the house and she immediately ran to me and wouldnt go to any one else. we took her to the vet and began putting up “found dog” signs. we placed ads in the papers and waited. then we waited somemore and no one claimed her. after 2 months and untold vet bills, i informed my husband that sparky wasnt going any where no matter what. she had wormed her way into my heart completely and she is,i am happy to say, spoiled rotten. i swore i would never get another dog again, as just before sparky arrived, we lost our beloved Gizmo, our boston terrier. we had to have him put to sleep. this dog was born into my hands on my birthday 12 years prior. i know what you went through. but then came sparky, a mangy mutt who totally won my heart.

God bless Dogs, i know for sure all dog do go to heaven. even though the pain was excruciating, Sparky helped it ease. God Bless you Mark for writing your book about Sprite. I cherish it. Thank you from me and my Dogs Sparky, Mattie, and my Clydesdale mare Shannie

Terry from TX

Mark, for my 54th birthday, my Mother gave me a copy of Rescuing Sprite. In the card, she wrote, “You could have written this book with a few name changes”. She was right! She also wrote, “I know you don’t read much, but you’ll like this one!” She was right again. I picked the book up only twice… finished it the second time. I wanted to write and personally thank you, for sharing your love and compassion for dogs with me. I’ve often said that if we loved everyone like we do our dogs, the world would be a better place. But then, I always clarify that by saying if everyone loved us back like our dogs do, the world would be a much better place.

Mother said she wanted her contribution (proceeds from your book) to be in memory of Katherine Alexandria Trussell (KATE for short), the last of my ‘best friends’ who succumbed to bone cancer in ’04. Therefore, I felt compelled to tell you and other dog lovers the story of Kate. But, as I read your book, I thought of all 6 dogs that have been so special in my life. And I relived special moments from each of them. So, I decided to write a brief biography for each. It may be too long for you to read, as I’m sure you’re very busy. Probably too long for others to read as well, but that’s okay… just writing this helps my soul. Reading it is just optional. So here goes…

Sunny Boy was my first dog. He was a registered German Shepherd, brown with black saddle, given to me by my Uncle Joe when I was only 1 year old. (more…)

Mark,

I heard about your book (Sprite) on Rush’s show and I had to go to three book stores to find it, they were all sold out. Years ago, i would have thought you were nuts the way you carry on about your dogs. That was years ago, before we brought home our little Annie, a beautiful Dachshund. We are a family of five, three sons, and Annie is an integrated part of everything we do. She has brought more joy to my life than I could ever epress in words. I do understand how you feel and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

All the best to you and your family. I am about one half way through the book at the moment.

Jim from FL

Mark,

The upcoming anniversary of Sprite’s passing will be on many hearts, and we will remember you and yours in a special way on December 7. We are holding our beloved 10 year old Schnauzers just a bit closer these days. Some years ago, my husband who is a physician,decided the time was right to say goodbye to our beloved Schatzie, who had suffered a severe stroke. Your tender biography of Sprite has brought back many memories of our own love-filled years with Schatzie , and our other Schnauzers who were taken from us all too soon.

Thank you for the time to reminiss, and pray for all who believe in the miracles that surround us.

Rita from TX