I would like to share my story about my dog. Her name was Lady. I was at work at my fire station in Parker Colorado in 1992.( I am now retired). When two little girls rang our door bell. They had this beautiful Husky – Shepard mix but she looked like a Husky. They said their father was going to take her to the Dumb Friends league. (Hate that name) If they couldn’t find a home for her. The girls said the owner moved about two months ago and she had been running the neighborhood. Called the wife and we had a new dog. She was very independent at first wanting to spend most of her time outside.

As she became used to the family she gradually let us become her family. She was a wonderful dog. She loved to lay at our feet or next t couch. As she got older issues started to develop. She started to have some hip problems, cataracts, and some kidney failure. She was on some meds and special diet dog food. Then I decided to retire from the FD on 6-1-2004. I started to take her for rides in March and April in the truck so she would be OK during the trip back to Ohio. She was never a big fan of going for rides. It was a snowy Good Friday in April and I decided to go rent some movies and have a fire in the fire place. When I returned there was Lady tangled up under the dining table. Then I saw the bloody phlem on the carpet.

I called her and she tried to get out of the legs of the chairs and table. As a Firefighter/Paramedic I knew this was not good and I was thinking she had a seizure or stroke. When I got her out from the table she began to walk into walls, furniture, etc. She finally calmed down when I held her. I called the vet and I took her to a Emergency clinic. He said she did lose her vision and couod have had as stroke but probably has a tumor.in her brain. Given her age of 14 years and her other problems there were no other options. After they started the IV I laid on the floor with her as the medicine was injection and said good buy to my best frind. Given that it was Good Friday I believe the Lord wanted his dog to come home. I miss her so to this day and her unconditional love.

John from Ohio

May God continue to bless you, your family, your radio staff, and your pets!

Listening to you over the past few weeks, and with your on-air discussions with your buddy, Sean Hannity, you’ve encouraged me to want to get another pooch . . . my story is similar to yours and many other dog lovers as one of the worst days of my life a few years ago was when I had to have Katie, my family’s 14-year-old Springer Spaniel, put to sleep. Four years prior to that terrible day, my youngest brother had asked me if I would take Katie for my own since he couldn’t take her with him back to college/campus. Our Mom, who trained Katie from puppyhood, had passed away about six months earlier, so my brother knew that Katie would be a wonderful source of happiness for me after our Mom was gone. There’s no love from a mother that could ever be replaced by anyone or anything else, but Katie was the next best thing! Like in that story, A Dog’s Plea, Katie never required much but gave so much more . . . she taught me, too, about just being! Being, in the sense that enjoying today, the ‘here and now,’ if you will . . . Katie helped to bring me up and out of my sadness after my Mom passed away . . . even when I knew that Katie had experienced the loss of her trainer/mistress (my Mom) . . . it was heartbreaking to see Katie sitting at the back door of my Mom’s house, waiting for my Mom to come back . . . some people think, misguidedly, that dogs are just dogs and that they aren’t deserving of our love . . . well, those folks don’t know what they’re missing . . . but you knew that!

I could go on with more wonderful stories about Katie, but I’ll be in tears here, in public at the library, if I do . . . so I’ll revisit your website and write more at a later time. I’m very hesitant to get another dog at the present time for various reasons, yet I so fervently want another one for the tremendous joy and happiness they bring . . . I’m still undecided.

You are a blessing, Mark; I so enjoy listening to you when your show comes on, later in the evenings, here in central Ohio. I can hear in your voice the compassion and love you had for Sprite . . . May God continue to bless you in all that you do.

God bless America!

A fan and fellow dog lover,

Mamie from Ohio

Mark I listen to your broadcast whenever possible and your show Friday was very special . The tone in your voice was so revealing as you read the dog poem – told about your loss . Your guests – Wow – if the human spirit could be bottled that is it’s essence . I lost my Airedale Sam four yrs ago at 4 yrs old – suddenly. She was my confidant . Never hurt that bad or cried that uncontrolably in my entire life . My family rallied around me as Sam was My dog and they knew how close we were . I actually cried off and on for several days. At 46 I lost a friend that I knew could not be replaced . The tone in your voice lets me know now I’m in good company . My best to you, kind sir. Will you send a copy of the dog poem you read on air ? My Mom is very close to loosing her dear companion to age and it may help and along with your book that I just ordered .
Thank you

Ed from MO

I was touched and moved when hearing of the loss of a memebr of your family. I can relate to your pain and feelings of loss when a companion who gives unconditional love and loyalty is no longer by our side. Although I did not rescue my dog he was as loyal, trusting and loving as described in the story of pulling the thorn from the lion’s paw. His name was Samson. Named as such because he possesed an incredible amount of strength, both physically and in his heart. When the time came for Samson to leave us, I too felt it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been called on to do in my life. This trusting, loyal friend was led to meet the end of his life by his owner and I felt I betrayed him in some way. Even though it was years ago I still harbor some feelings of guilt in taking the course of action I did regardless of whether it was the logical and humane thing to do. There is a poem I read once, written about the loss of a loved one, but I can’t remeber the name. It says that our family is waiting for us, waiting as if we’ve been away for a while now we’re reunited again. I belive that is true. And till I meet Samson again one day I shall continue to cherish the fond memories of love and companionship he so loyally and unconditionally gave. I intend to buy your book next week and am looking foward to reading your’s and Sprite’s story. Hang in there and keep up your great work.

Regards,
Ed from NY

Mark. I’d like to tell you about Brutus, a black and tan chihuahua, who rode with me for years, all over Canada and the U.S.A. in my truck. He was 15 years old when I lost him and I still miss him 8 years later. At night if anyone got too close to the truck, his bark,which was a good deal larger than he, would discourage would be ne’er-do-wells. With most of the dogs I’ve had, a rolled up newspaper smacked on a table, or in extreme cases applied to the offenders rear end would establish control, Brutus howeverwould rip the paper out of my hand, and shred it right in front of me, and then look at me as if to say “who the hell is the alpha dog here” There was never any doubt . It was Brutus. He was my friend companion and protector for countless days and nights on the road. 10 pounds of dog, 40 pounds of bark, and 200 pounds of attitude.

Following is some prose that I thought might interest you, sad though it is. Maybe it will cause some pet owners to realize that pets are people too.
(more…)

I’m 48 years old. Until now I have never felt a better forum to tell the story of my heroic German Sheppard named Butch. I was 8 years old growing up in a very tough part of town in San Antonio, Texas. There were no curbs, sidewalks or streetlights in my world. I was always allowed to play outside because since I was 5 years old Butch always Protected me and would not allow me to go beyond the yard. We were very poor and since my 8th birthday I was the man of the house, my father was in the Marine Corps and sending all his money home which was nineteen dollars a month. I shined shoes inside the corner bar for money. I walked home right before dark and gave my Mother the money. I had one joy in my life. My beautiful dog named Butch.

I supported my dog by making the money to buy his food. I fed and watered him religiously. I loved my dog. Working this bar exposed me to unsavory individuals. My mother and I had many arguments about it but I always won because I brought home money that we needed not only for my dog but for my family, and I always took care of my responsibilities when it came to buying dog food and watering and feeding Butch. Everyday I washed his water and his food bowl and filled them. I never let him eat or drink out of dirty bowls. I loved my dog. One day I left the bar carrying my money and shoe shine box to start walking the three blocks to my house. A drunk man followed me. I was so scared that I started walking faster and then running and then screaming on the way home. Before I got to my house this man caught me, he had his hand on my shoulder and was gripping and stretching my T-shirt as I kept running away from him, I can still feel his panting breath in my ear. My dog Butch was there and attacked the man chasing me.

Butch came out of nowhere and tackled this monster off of me. I still remember the vicious sound of Butchs’ attack. I don’t mind telling you that if you are ever being attacked like I was, you want your defender to be vicious. My dog busted into this pervert and put himself in between us. He chased him across the street and that’s when the car hit Butch and dragged him under the car all the way down the street. The car never stopped. My Mom and I walked down the street and picked up all the pieces of my dog and brought them home for burial in our back yard. My dog saved my life. That man was gonna hurt me. My dog Butch in some way knew I needed him and he didn’t fail me. He brought the heat and saved me, and he paid with his life. I will always love Butch and if there is any justice in this world, I will hug him again and thank him myself when I meet him. Thank you Butch for taking care of me, I love you, I miss you, I’ll see you again buddy. Love you. And I want you to know that I went on in life to become a Marine and I will always fight like you to take care of my country or any person in need.

Dan from TX