My boy Dusty died while in my arms. Probably the most difficult and heart wrenching thing I have had to do in my life.

Bill from NJ

Mark, just to let you know that I will be giving your wonderful book as Christmas gifts to a number of people; however, I will not be able to read it myself no more than I can share stories of losing my own pets with you. I hear your great loss in your voice on the radio, and to share my own stories about the loss of my beloved pets is just too much to do. The older I get, the softer my heart. I would like to share one heroic story, however — one of my wonderful friends, Benjy, a mix, that we adopted from a shelter rescued me from a rabid raccoon. He was very brave, and he will always be my hero. Thank you, Mark, for everything — for bringing the need of adoptive homes and shelters to the forefront and for being a voice of reason in today’s dangerous society. You have become family, and I look forward to being with you every evening. God bless you and your family.

Judy from NJ

Sophie, a beautiful Corgi, jumped into my arms when she was 3 mos. old. A friend had brought her to a horse show, and had her in her arms when I went up to say hello. It was very strange, but that is what happened. Well, immediately we all knew that Sophie had to go home with me. My friends and I enjoyed her during that show, and then went home – to meet my husband, David.

Well – when we got home, David was not at all pleased. You see, we had lost 2 beautiful dogs about 6 mos. earlier – they were 15 years old. So, David did not think he wanted another canine in our lives. Sophie however, did not know that David was not pleased – and she beagn to win him over very quickly. He even named her (originally is was Sissy) and we began to see what a wonder she was. We both loved and enjoyed her very much – she went on trips and was a constant companion to us both. Waiting at the door when we drove in, wanting to go to the barn with me – and even loved to “work” the horses as if she was a border collie. She loved the barn, our grandkids, and everyone she met.
She was so beautiful and special. This past summer, she began to lose her appetite. Our vet checked for everything – tests, medications, etc. He worked with Texas A&M to determine exactly what was going on. We had some very diffficult times with her – but were able to keep her at home where she was happiest. Finally, she stayed very close to me one evening, and the next day David knew she was going. She is now buried close to the barn where she is close to things she loved.
It is so very hard not to see her at the door every day when I get home. I know there will not be another one – and yes, as you have guessed, I am crying as I write this. However, I have so much enjoyed listening to you talk about Sprite and letting others know just how much a special friend a dog can be. Thank you so very much for sharing this part of your life with others – it has made a very big difference and has given many an outlet to share their stories. And, thank you for letting me get this out.

Ka from Texas

1-When they tell us they love us by licking our hands and giving us their attention.

2-When they show us they are our best pal and uplifts us when we are blue.

3-When they fit in perfectly into every family activity.

4-When they love us as their family and depends on us to return that love.

5-When we know by scratching their heads and rubbing their bellies.

6-When we try to go someplace they will want to go too.

7-When they protect all the family with all their courage and strength.

8-When they crawl upon the couch and cuddles with us.

9-When they ask for love, attention, and care, as the other family members do.

10-When they show their traits, tenets, and personalities.

11-When they joyfully and excitedly go places with the family and enjoys just being with them.

12-When they aren’t perfect but no other family member is either.

13-When they are told they are good puppies and watching their big grins.

14-When they get sick, won’t eat, and slowdown, we feel very bad and worried.

15-When they leave their family for the last time to return no more – it must be done but it is still heartbreaking.

16-When that family member has gone away for good – it hurts so badly, a real loss, we cry alot and miss them oh so much.

Dedicated to Sprite

Jim from Kentucky

I plan to get your wonderful book the next time I go to the local mall. Here is something I wrote several years ago about one of my four legged friends. I hope you enjoy it.

Digger

By Chuck Ivie

Longer ago than I care to remember
I had a dog, his name was Digger.

He understood how to taste life
Better than any human I ever knew.

For Digger the world was a place of wonder
Smells, sounds, cool breezes, he savored them all.

He loved to explore, and
He would insist that I join him.

We lived at the edge of the woods
It was his favorite place

As we walked together
He showed me the wonder of
A bit of tree bark.
A wooly bug
A broken birds egg
And the sound of a gentle wind in the pines

And when we were done with our exploration
He would sleep and dream
And so would I

Digger has been gone for a long time
But I can still see him dream
And then so do I.

And sometimes I ask my long gone friend
Where would you like to go today?

Chuck Ivie

I met Gingerkitty when she was a kitten back in 1988 and at the time I thought she belonged to the next door neighbors.

I was not until the neighbors were moving that I found out she was a stray that hung out at their house and ate the dog food they put down outside for their dogs.

Well little Gingerkitty had been a really nice kitten that loved to be picked up and petted so I thought what’s one more kitty around more or less ( I had a dog Bentley and another kitty Shadowboy). That’s how Gingerkitty became part of the family of a single divorced guy two kittys and a pooch.

Not long afterward Bentley went to live with a friend on a ranch where she loved to run and sniff for bunnies but poor Shadowboy was killed by an owl, which left me with Gingerkitty.

One of the worst days of my life is when my old buddy died at age 19 on new years day of 2007.

Gingerkitty was laid to rest under her favorite bush where she watched birds.

I, like Mark with Sprite, thought I would never want to adopt a pet again but not long afterward I went to the local kitty shelter and adopted Zoe.

I bought and read “Rescuing Sprite” it brought back the feelings I had about loosing Gingerkitty but I am glad I read it.

Bob from AZ