I lost the lo ve of my life 2 years ago. Her name was czarina. I still tear up when I think of her. She was my hip & my heart. I was devastated when she passed away at the age of about 15. I could not mention her name for a long time or I would start to tear up and be unable to speak. My new all white Husky is called Sprite. I thought it was an original thought on my part. She is now 2. She has brought me back to life. I still miss Czarina. But I named my business after her.  This the first time I have ever responded to a talk show. Your politics do not interest me, but your humanity does.

Harry from Florida

As the husband of a Show Dog breeder (Shetland Sheepdogs) for over 50 years I have developed a deep love and have compassion for ALL animals, especially dogs.
We breed dogs infrequently just to improve the bred, and have breed over 75 AKC Champions. We have found there is no money in dogs, except what we have put into them!

We have several ‘house dogs’ that are extremely close and dear to the both of us. Truly, the most difficult time is when we are called upon infrequently to act for God and ‘put down’ a lifelong pal that has become a child of ours. The decision to ‘put down’ a pet is very difficult to make. We concluded long ago that we would only do it when and if the dog was not going to improve in health and was in pain, or had such a poor quality of life that they wanted to go to a more peaceful and pain free environment. I pulled our last 15 year old champion out of the Potomac River twice, before we had him ‘put down’ because of his brain tumor that caused more and more seizures. During the last month of his life he was kept alive and relatively pain free only because the dosages of Phenobarbital we administered that kept him drugged-out. It was almost a pleasure to feel him completely relax in the arms of death’s release from his earthly problems. We know that we will meet him again together with the many other dogs that we have breed and owned that have gone to “Rainbow Bridge.” That will be the subject of my next message.

George from Maryland

Little Max is actually our second rescue Scottish Terrier. This sweet little fellow cowered in sheer terror and ran for cover when we first saw him. He obviously had been abused by humnas in his former life. He and his two litter mates had been dumped on a rural farm with little chance of survival. In spite of Max’s introverted personality, Sheryl bonded with him instantly and so began the beginning of what has been the happiest two years of our lives. This gentle and sweet little fellow took a while to come out of his shell, but once he did, he proved himself smart as a whip and an absolute hoot to have around. He bonded with our other rescue malcolm and they are now inseperable best of friends. Our backyard has been squirrel free for quite some time and our hearts have been warmed as never before. Rescues truly are the best option when adopting a pet. Their capacity for love and companionship just seems so much greater than breeder or store bought pets. Thanks Mark for such a touching book and for telling a story that needed telling as only you could do it.

John and Sheryl from Texas

I am so touched with your story about Sprite. We dog lovers can only know of the loss one suffers when a pet dies. We have lost a few over a lot of years. They all died mostly of old age. We now have one left (a Bichon) who has diabetes, so we give him his insulin and watch what he eats. It is a real commitment. We do not go anywhere and leave him bording someplace. We stay home. Jake had cataract surgery last January as he was going blind. He now sees so well. What a blessing that they can do all of these things for dogs. But like Sprite, there are just some things that can’t be reversed. I am going to get your book at the library when it is there. I know I will cry when I read it. We are true conservatives also who do not lack compassion. Keep up the good work. Bless you and your family and your two dogs.

Anne from Virginia

Within the last year I have had to put to sleep 2 of my 4 labs due to cancer. The first female named Maggie was the sweetest most loyal loveable lab one could ask for. She was the leader of the pack but always wanted a humans love. She was especially clese to me because she was out first and I was the daily walker and feeder. For 11 1/2 years we had the joy of her company. She was unbelievably smart and learned in order to get a treat she would steal one of our shoes. In order to get it back we would give her a treat. All she wanted was our love. One day I noticed her tail was not going up properly. She was having trouble getting into our car to go for our long off leash walks. We took her to the vet who gave her rimadyl. After a week she was not getting better so we visited the vet again. They did xrays and didn’t find anything. Took her home and within a few days she couldn’t get up by herself. We would have to help her with a towel. She quickly went downhill to not being able to walk and control her bowls. We took to for an MRI and were told she had a tumor wrapped around her spine which was inoperable. We had to make the biggest decision we have ever had to make. The next day we drove to be with her one last time. I brought her dog bed, her drinking bowl and a cheeseburger. As I waited for them to bring her into the room I was crying the hardest I have ever cried hardly being able to take breaths. When she was brought into the room to see me she was so happy. I gave her many hugs and kisses and gave her the cheeseburger and water which she gobbled down. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do so far in my life. I miss her every day. The act of what I had to do to her kept going through my mind. Then 6 mos. later our 2nd oldest 10 year old lab couldn’t keep up with us our on daily walks. I just thought it was the fact that she was getting older. Finally when I knew something was definitely wrong I took her to the vet only to be told she was very very sick and we had to immediately go to the specialty vet. That night she had a complete blood transfusion to keep her alive. The next day we were told she had a tumor in her stomach which was taking all her red bloods cells. We had no choice but to bring her home and give her the best two days of her life. Then my husband took her to our vet because I couldn’t bare to go through that same procedure again. Now we still have 2 8 1/2 yr labs who are the children of our second lab. I miss my first two every day but give the two I have now more love than anyone could imagine. I dread what I am going to have to go through 2 more times. I only wish our dogs could stay with us longer. I am a huge animal lover and it rips my heart open when I hear of animal cruelty. All our dear animals want is to be loved and cared for. I truly believe that you can tell a human’ soul by the way they treat their animals. They have given so much love to our family.

Buffy from Texas

Daisy Doo is my 4 year old Brussels Griffon. She is a HUGE part of my life. She is my baby, my friend, and my dog. She was born in Georgia on March 9, 2003. I was not a dog person until Daisy came into my life when she was 2 months old. It was love at first sight. She is always there for me and has been there through some scary times in my life. Im 24 years old but last year I got sick and the doctors thought I had M S which it turns out I dont but I had to go home to my mom because for a week I couldnt even stand up. Daisy stayed with me and layed in my bed for a whole week not wanting to leave my side. I felt better knowing she was there and besides I cant sleep without Daisy in my bed. Coming home from work every night and seeing daisy peeking out the front window waiting for me and how excited she is to see me when I get home fills my heart with joy. Where ever I go she goes if she could go to work with me she would she is my little side-kick. I treat her and my other two brussels griffons Destiny and Treasure like my kids. I cook for them once a week as a treat, we celebrate their birthdays, christmas, halloween etc. They are very spoiled and have every toy and dog bed and accessories imaginable. But Daisy, I cant live without seeing that little face every day she has to live forever! People call me the crazy dog lady but thats okay because to me my dogs are my babies and it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks.
Daisy Doo is the best dog on this planet in my eyes and I will love her for the rest of my life!

Laura from Michigan