A couple of summers ago my college daughter was unexpectedly home for the summer and asked if she could adopt a dog. After checking out quite a few shelters she found a wonderful shelter in Huntley, Illinois, called Animal House Shelter. My daughter found “Delia”—this cute dachshund like bundle of love and my husband paid the hefty adoption fee. “Delia” became Izzy (my daughter’s favorite TV character) and after a while back at college in the fall Izzy came home to me due to my daughter’s extremely busy schedule. Since that time she’s become totally mine—and my constant companion. I don’t know what I’d do without her. We walk, talk, eat and spend every moment together. I know what you mean about the bond between our pets—Izzy seems like my Alexi (another shelter dog I adopted in 1974) reincarnated. I believe that our pets find us. God directs them to us because he loves us. God bless.

Angela from IL

I just found out my nine year old German Sheppard has lymphoma. We think we have caught it in time and she is doing real well although she will have to take pills from now on. She is a very faithful companion to my wife and I after our daughter got married and left for the northern part of the state. She is our child now. When I was in the service I was a K9 handler in the late 50’s and early 60’s in Germany. I have had many Sheppard’s over the years and they all have made a difference in our lives. I lost my last Sheppard Fume to Cancer around the same age of 9. I have found that putting up pictures in the hallway has lessened the loss of each of our pets that have passed on over the last 47 years since we purchased our home. May God Bless all who care for pets and you for writing this book.

Duane & Reiko from CA

Saturday your book about Sprite arrived from amazon. I sat down,and read it until the end.My rescue poodle Susie-Q who was abused ,and rarely sits beside me somehow realized I was emotionally involved with your story.She jumped up next to me,and put her head on my leg.That is where she stayed until I was finished.They do have a sixth sense about us.Thank you for writing the story.I have had many poodles due to allergies,and loved them all.My most precious was Puff,a little red poodle.Lost her 6 years ago,and still miss her terribly.

Therese  from CA

Our dog passed on January 2nd, 2007. Here is what I wrote the following day. Thanks Mark.

“Sam was a Dog”

Not any ordinary dog. A special animal that had some tricks up his paws. He would walk on his hind legs across an entire Living Room floor. If he didn’t particularly like you he would do the Nasty on your leg. But with all that, deep down he was a Friend of Mine.

I met him one day on October 18th, 2000. He was a kind little Dog. His eyes were dark when you could see them through his furry hair.

In November of that year I moved to “Sam’s” house. He never barked at me, or did the Nasty on my Leg. He was cautious but friendly. And was not a bit nasty with me.

He loved to play with the other animals in “His House”. Would romp in the back yard like he was a puppy. Always told you when it was that time. To go out that is.
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Thank you for bringing the benefits and joys of adopting a rescued dog. For over 50 years I have always believed that the very best dogs are found in the local dog pound or humane society or other rescue agency. My mother still says that there is nothing better than a “Heinz 57” mixed breed dog. Recently our family adopted a rescued greyhound. The experience was so wonderful that we just adopted a second one.

Robert from NJ

My little Shih-Tzu died on 10/25/05. He was almost 15 years old. I had him since he was a puppy. While most dogs have a great personality, my Shih-Tzu, Kyoto, did not. He actually would bite my Mom and me and I had to hire a dog behaviorist to help me. Everyone told me to get rid of him. As a dog lover, I could never give up on my dog and did everything I could to stop his biting. Kyoto was only nine pounds, but terrorized everyone. He even jumped off the table at the vet’s office and was running around the whole office knocking bottles over and literally destroyed the place. The vet told me he could no longer treat him. He went to other vets and the only one who could deal with Kyoto was his groomer, Cathy. She was a “dog whisperer” and a godsend to my Mom and me.
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