This is Daisy and i found her in our local dog pound in 1994 . I got her to be mine but i left her with my father as i was going to do my 2 week training while i was in the national guard. When i came home my father was in love with her so i let him keep her, she was my dads best friend next to my mother. She was a great dog,smart,entertaining, my father was recently retired so the were together all the time,if you seen my dad you also seen Daisy. My father passed away in the spring of 1999, Daisy missed him but tried not to show it my mother and her were even closer then. In November of 2003 my mother took a trip to Arizona to visit a friend, mom always said if something happened to Daisy she did not want to be home for it. I went by the house to check on Daisy, was not her normal self setting in one spot could not move very well, I knew it was time. I laid in the floor with her that thinking of all the time she spent with my father and the times i did not. I petted her for hours just bawling my eyes like a baby.

When i left that night i called my older brother and asked him to take her to the vet, and have her put to sleep, for i could not do it. Mark she was the only thing i had left of my father it hurt me to know end to make that decision for 4 years earlier we had to make the same decision for my father. I know what you went through i am right there with you. God Bless You Mark.

Todd from IL

Mark thank you for writting such a great book, unfortuntley I haven’t read the book yet, I’m hoping to get it for christmas. I’m waiting to see if I get my disability, I’m bipolar, so money is tight. I would like to share my story with you.

I had this dog, he was a Basset hound, he was a real unique dog, god I miss him, he was my buddy. I never had any intention of getting him, but my step mom and dad bred bassett hounds, and they got him for a breeder, they also ran a daycare, as it turned out he was abused as a puppy, and he didn’t get along with kids, and would snap at people. So they had to get rid of him, and they asked me and my girlfriend at the time if we wanted him, I had already received a bassett hound, for my birthday, but my girlfriend wanted Barney, so we took him, she had a dog, and so did I. After my girlfriend left me, she also left him. he was her dog, and he would snap at me lol, so I just did the best I could, about a month or so, my dog ran away, so it was just me and him, and after awhile he got used to me.

His story and mine are similar, my dad wanted to get rid of him, cause of his temperment, and it was not his fault, and people have gotton rid of me, which was highly due to being bipolar, and being abused mentally and physically, my dad’s bipolar and he’s not a good guy, I haven’t spoken to him in 3 years. I was Barney’s guardian angel, I have no doubt, if I never would’ve took him in, he would’ve went to the pound, and after awhile he would’ve been put to sleep. I have a guardian angel as well, and if it wasen’t for this special person in my life, I would be dead or in prision, I’m 35 and have had over 30 jobs, so my lifes been really messed up. Mark I lost Barney on June 20th of this year. I would like to share my tribute to him, I’ve also found a website, it’s a virtual pet cemetary, I just need to find someone who has a scanner, so I can send this tribute along with a picture, to the website.

Barney, my buddy my friend, till we meet again. A week ago today, you were ok, how it seems like yesterday. I remember when we played, I remember your little trick, I remember your howl, I remember you liked beer, I remember your nice floppy ears. I remember through all the tears, I remember your bark, without you I’m in the dark. As I write this I weep, I pray the lord your soul to keep. I love you buddy.

Thanks Mark, I don’t know if you’ll read this or not, but it was nice just writing it , if you’d like feel free to share it, with anyone.

James from HI

Hello everyone. I just wanted to share a story about my mom, and our Shih Tzus named Won Ton and Mei Yi. (Their given names were Sir Won Ton the Second and Madam Mei Yi Lee. That is pronounced May-EE, in case you are wondering.)

Mei Yi was Won Ton’s daughter. (We also had Mei’s mother and sister for a long period of time, but I would need to write a novel to discuss the whole dog family!) My mother so loved these dogs. I loved them too, but I don’t think I could put into words how much they meant to her. She went through a lot of really bad times (particularly at one time with a teenage daughter who shall remain nameless) and she always maintained that they only ones that were constant in her life were her dogs.

My mother was in involved in a car accident in 1992 that caused a head injury and a permanent seizure disorder. She had been a successful nurse (three degrees in nursing) and the injury eventually pushed her out of the field that she loved, so she was at home alone quite a bit, with only the dogs. She was particularly fond of Won Ton, and I have to tell you, this dog was interesting, to say the least. I really don’t think he knew that he was a dog. In fact, if you looked at him long enough, I swear he looked like a little man with a beard and mustache…just really hairy! He also had an attitude. If you got on to him for something, he would stare you straight in the face as he lifted his leg to pee on the couch, as if to say, “Here’s what I think about that!” Won Ton did not like to be left alone, and he especially did not like to be seperated from my mother. If he was accidentally left on the wrong side of the bedroom door, he would scratch and whine until she let him in.

Anyway, he had a quirky personality and to know him was to love him for sure.
As often happens with Shih Tzus, he started to go blind as he aged, and eventually developed cancer. My mother, with her instict as a loving and caring nurse, took care of this dog as if he were human. To her, I think, he really was a little person. Of course the day came when it was obvious that he was in pain, and the pain patch that he wore just wasn’t helping. It was agonizing to see this little dog not be able to do anything for himself. (more…)

I would like to tell you of ne of the greatest lovev that ever came into our lives. His name is Benji. my wife got a call about a year ago from our daughter, telling us about a puppy at the shelter that was in ndanger of being euthanized. My wife loaded me in the car and little to my knowledge was of to see what turned out to be a 6mo. full size Yorkshire terrier. He was handicaped by his rear leggs not functioning properly. Once I held this little dust mop in my arms and he nuzzled into me there was no letting him go back to the shelter. I assumed all fincial responcibilites for his medical needs. We paid the adoption fees and took him home. The endless love this sweet natured dog has given us is Priceless. Our vet has told us that we can get his knees put in the right direction he will be normal and healthy for the rest of his life. My wife and I are saving back for his operation, and hope to have it done after the 1st of the year. The sugery is roughly a thousand dollars, but he is worth every penny(priceless) for his unconditional LOVE.

I hope anyone reading this gets the messege that sometimes things that look odd can turnout to be the greatest gift that can be bestowed on our lives. No Mr. Levin I am not rich in money value but I am the richest man in town because of the love of a sweet affectionate little dust mop we Call BENJI.

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you benji’s story and GOD BLESS YOU and your family this Chanuka and always.

Carl from TX

Hello I want to tell you about a dog that our son-in-law found while working at a shelter. Louie(one of Huey, Dewey and Louie) had been neglected as a puppy and seems to be depressed. He doesn’t cower when you raise a hand, but is fearful about everything. If given a chance, he would stay in the back corner of a closet. This week, after 2 years, our daughter was petting him, and for the first time, when she stopped, he put his paw on her arm as if to say”Keep it up” They were tickled. Don’t know what would have happened to him if they hadn’t taken him. Now, they have brought another dog home(Maizie) and she has helped him learn to play. When one visits them, Maizie comes running with a big SMILE! A whole row of teeth shows-the vet took a step back when she saw that, thinking she was angry and baring her teeth, but no, she was smiling. THey have been fun (and interesting) dogs. We never had dogs in the 50 years we have been married. Keep up the good work on radio. Really enjoy listening to you.

Bobbe from OH

Mark I want to extend my sympathy on the loss of sprite, I to had to have my dog put to sleep and held her as they did it, I said to my future son in law I would never get another dog, the vet heard me and knew i loved Beagles, I couldnt afford to buy one, well a few says later he calls and tells me he has one for adoption of course I did just that, not long after that I lost my voice due to spasmodic dysphonia and it seems that Penny was the only one who could understand me.

I spent alot of time with her she was such a comfort to me at the time I needed someone, unfortunatley she was killed by a car at my sisters house I had gone out and my nephew opened the door and she ran looking for me, I have since adopted and bought dogs but will never forget Penny, as I know you will always remember sprtie, there is nothing like the love of a dog, your book was both sad and happy I laughed smiled and cried thru the book but loved it, thank you for the book!

Barbara from NY