A year after I lost my husband to cancer I lost my first Golden and beloved friend, Penny. We had other dogs that I loved too, but Penny was special, a kinder soul never lived. Penny was barely 5 years old when a brain tumor took her. I was miserable and alone ( in the human sense). Penny’s death lead me to rescue another Golden, that turned out to be an Irish Setter. I became involved with the local Irish Setter rescue program and have fostered about 20 dogs in the last few years. Two of these dogs I adopted. Both were older males with arthritis and some other health issues. Both were loved to the end and kindly helped on to Rainbow Bridge when life got too difficult for them. I now have 3 geriatric dogs of my own that cause me to appreciate every moment I still have with them. Every one is special, some touch you heart more than others, just like people do. I love being able to help a foster dog blossum and find the perfect family. I love having my own dogs even knowing that one day I will have to make more hard decisions. The love and joy of a dog is worth all of the pain at the journey’s end. Had it not been for Penny I might never have found this rescue cause to appreciate and be a part of. Someday I would like to write a book about the dogs that have crossed my threshold.

 Beth from TX

We rescued Dana, the GREAT, Great Dane from the Mustang, OKlahoma animal shelter in 2001. We were told it was close to her last day because of lack of space and length of time she had been there.
Dana was truly a “gentle giant.” At just under 100 pounds, she thought she was a lap dog. When guest would come and sit in her favorite chair she would get up in the chair and try to sit in their lap.
Less than a year after Dana came to live with us she got “bloat” (the stomach turns). This happens in big chest dogs and can kill them unless corrected quickly.
After a trip to the emergency dog hospital and $1,300, Dana was fine. A few years after that, Dana was “campaigning” in our local mayor’s race and as she was jumping back into our car her tail got caught in the door! After a trip to vet, she was fine but ended up with a tail about 4 inches shorter than most Great Dane’s.
Our dear Dana developed bone cancer in December, 2006. With care and medication we were given a short, but good 3 months with her.
One of her “best friends” was Newton, a Catahula/ Cattle Dog mix (even though he looks a little like a Dalmatian with his spots, don’t tell him because it makes him mad. He’s proud to be a Catahula/ Cattle Dog!) Newton is also a rescued dog from a shelter. Ironically, we adopted him and brought him home the day Newton was scheduled to be put to sleep because of lack of space and length of time at the shelter.
Dana and Newton became instant friends and really enjoyed playing, walking, chasing and all the things friends do. Dana was a Harlequin Great Dane (white with black spots) and Newton is white with black spots. (Maybe Dana thought she was Newton’s mother!) We always thought what a great mother Dana would have been.
When the time finally arrived to send Dana to the “Rainbow Bridge” (that is the place where our dear pet companions go to wait for their human friends when they then
cross over into God’s Paradise together), our veterinarian, Dr. “Jim”, came to our home at 5:00am on that day. He was so patient and kind! He gave Dana a shot to relax her and then the amazing and most touching thing happened. Newton came over and lay down beside Dana putting his head on her big old chest and after a few minutes for us to “love on her”, then Dr. Jim administered the drug that would put Dana to sleep. Newton put his paw on Dana’s paw and stayed with her until she left for the “Rainbow Bridge.” After Dana was “gone” Newton stayed with her, but finally got up, licked her nose and said goodbye, “I will see you again” and yes, we will too!

Mary and Mike from OK

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite and the tears are still rolling down my cheeks. I was so apprehensive about reading the book because of family lost two of our belove family members within 5 months of each other. But we thankful ever day for the time we had with them and that we still have Archie. Tasha, who looks alot like Sprite and had fur softer than a rabbit succombed to cancer in January and Zeus, my best friend died suddenly in May 2007. They both became gravely ill suddenly and we didn’t have time to even comtemplate our decision, they both made it for us. I am so grateful for that because I don’t know if I could have made the right decision, our heavy hearts would have gotten in the way. We were with both of them in the end and it was heart wrenching to say goodbye. To this day, I cry when I think of them.

I didn’t want to relive the pain (although I feel it each day) it was actually therapeutic to know that so many other people feel as we do. I will never ever forget the love and smilles and joy and tribulatiions (late nights with Skunks) Zeus and Tasha brought to our lives for over 11 years and I thank you for writing a book that expressed our feelings completely. A lot of people do not understand the unconditional love that a dog gives and the extreme pain that comes when they are gone. The pain has easied with time but I will also have an a hole in my heart forever. I know that someday we will all meet again on the Rainbow Bridge. God bless you and your family. You have all expressed what the rest of us feel but have not been able to put in to words.

BEcky from Maine

Mr Newt is an 11 year old beagle. I got him at the animal shelter to be my other dog’s (Nikki) brother. I volunteered full time for animals for the last 5 years, until I was recently diagnosised with MS. In 2 years I helped get over 2000 cats and dogs spayed and neutered. I just closed my spay/ neuter organization this month.

Michelle from OH

In 1984 when I was 11 years old, my family moved to a new state. I had few friends, and this move was hard on me at the time. It was late in the summer, and my dad was away on a trip. We were going to the mall and along the way spotted the local SPCA. My three sisters and persuaded my mom to stop. She did, and upon stopping I met my soon to be best friend. She was one of four lab puppies who were abandoned in the woods, and come across by a passerby. Ginger was the one who came right up to the door of the cage, tail wagging, and immediately started to lick my hand. While the other three remained in the back, I knew instantly she was the one. I talked my three younger sisters into picking her out as well, and we each persuaded my mom by chipping in $10 each to get her. That also covered the neutering fee. My dad came home to a surprise, and being a sucker for puppies allowed us to keep her.

Ginger grew up with me and became the best friend I could ever have. While I was in school she would sit outside under her favorite tree and wait for the bus to come at which time she would come running and essentially tackle me to show her affection. Our neighbors marvelled at how she would walk with me to the bus stop, and then go home and wait all without a leash. And she always knew when I would come home because she would be waiting at the bus stop.

Ginger loved to play basketball, frisbee, and would really enjoy it when I threw a lacrosse ball for her. She was easy to train in those regards and would even drop the ball in my stick. She was a great defensive player in basketball because she would try to get the ball and many times would succeed. She also loved the snow. She really enjoyed coming out when I shovelled the driveway and just play in the piles of new snow.

As I got older, my bond with her grew stronger. I am a fervent believer in how pets often pick their owners. I had more of a bond with her then my sisters did, and when I went away to college I heard stories of how she would wander the house looking for me. Fortunately I went close to home, so I got to see her at least once a week.

As Ginger grew older, her love of playing frisbee, chasing balls, etc.. continued. Only her endurance was on the decline. She would often times rest more frequently, but the enthusiasm was there. She was also a great chaperone whenever I brought a girl home. Anytime I kissed my girlfriend, she would start barking, and she would nuzzle her head between us when we sat on the couch.

Then when she was 13 years old, she developed a tumer in her jaw. When the vet attempted to biopsy it, the growth swelled up like an apple. It turned out to be bone cancer of the jaw. The only treatment available was essentially taking her jaw. That was unacceptable. Since the cancer had also spread to her liver, we knew it was only a matter of time. She continued to get worse, and my family had to make the hardest decision that continues to haunt me today. We ended up putting her down.

That last day we were with her was the hardest day of my life. I got home from work, and she was tired, eyes glassed over, with a ball in her mouth. She greeted me in her usual manner, but had to lay down. Once we got her to the vet, I put her on the table. The whole family said their goodbyes, and the vet did his job. She let out a slight wimper, and then she was quiet. That was the only time in my life I ever saw my father cry.

Today I am a physician and continue to think about my dog. My schedule doesn’t allow me at this time to give enough time to be fair to a puppy. The only thing is that only people who have had that sort of bond with an animal understand what it is to go through something like that. She was my best friend, and her devotion to me and my family was without compromise.

Thank you, Mark for writing this book. I can relate to everything you went through, and in a way it has helped me bring some closure to what I had to do.

Sincerely,
Brian from NJ

I just finished Sprite book last night and I’m still crying. We put our angel Brownie to sleep on Tuesday and the anguish is almost more than I can deal with. I can’t talk to people without crying; I want to turn the clock back and be with her. She was sightless from birth but she saw and felt with her soul and love. She touched everyone’s life who met her. When does this agony end?

Anne from FL