Hello Mark. To be honest with you, I had never listened to your show until last night. I got into my car and had it on talk radio and heard you talking about Sprite. I cried like a baby the entire commute home simply because I also have a story about a wonderful little guy named “Shadow”. My husband and I were blessed with Shadow in July of 1992 while living in England. Shadow was a black Scottish Terrier who was a loving, stubborn, fiesty Scot and we loved every ounce of him. Shadow was diagnosed with diabetes in 2001 and went blind shortly after his diagnosis. Our vet told us that he would most likely not live another year simply because maintaining the insulin shots is a challenge with a pet. We made a promise to give Shadow the best care for the remainder of time we were given with him. We rescued another Scottie, Huckleberry, to be Shadow’s “seeing eye dog” and it worked. Shadow NEVER accepted other dogs prior to Huck and he took Huck in as if he knew that he was there to take care of him. To make a long story short, Shadow lived another FIVE years with diabetes(two shots of insulin each day) and blindness and during those five years, he was full of life and vigor. He began to decline during the last six months of his life and we had to make the worst decision for us but the best decision for Shadow on October 23, 2005. I have never in my life experienced the pain and heartache that I experienced that day and every day since his death. I often sit with his first toy “Mr. Mouse” and the clipping that we took of his silver beard before we let him go and I cry just as if it were that day in October 2005. Shadow taught me patience and unconditional love and I am most thankful to have had him in my life. Huckleberry is still with us and he has allowed us many happy moments which reminds us of Shadow.

Becky from Texas

Mark – this is Mark. I have been unable to call you and share about my Coffee. She was almost identical in color and size to your Spite. I had no idea until I saw the web picture. I sat there with tears running down my face like the night I lost my special friend to a hit and run driver. I blamed myself for taking my eye off of here for just a second. I also looked at my friend and apologized for letting her down. For not protecting her when she needed it most. It was horrible. I am so sorry for your loss. Yet, after a time I rescued Ginger, a frail Irish Setter. She had no idea how to eat, how to behave and was afraid of everything. That was 36 months ago. She is now healthy and well, and the delight of my life. I have several kids who never contact me because they are too busy – but Ginger simply goes ga-ga when I come home. She has saved me 1000 times. I will always remember my Coffee – she helped me through a terrible divorce and my honorable retirement from the Navy.
I defined myself by being a father, a husband, and career sailor. When these were all gone – I drifted alone and depressed, then I got Coffee. She was there all the time for my moods and my tears.
After her loss – I knew what I had to do…but I hated the thought of “replacing her”. Ginger has picked up where my wonderful saving Coffee left off. Thank You Sir, I listen every day, sorry I could not make it through a phone call…it’s tough.
God Bless you and your family Mark,
Sincerely,
Mark from Florida

Dear Mark,
I don’t often get to listen to your show when it’s on but I was ecstatic today to find that I could get a podcast of it. I guess I’m pretty far behind the curve! But I did “happen to” be listening two weeks ago when you talked about your new book. I am so glad I was listening then because the poignancy of your words and voice about touched me greatly, and I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one, Sprite.

I lost my wonderful cat Taylor on Sept. 11th and was simply devastated. Taylor was about 14 years old and I had him for about 11 years after “adopting” him from a very good friend and her family. Taylor was all black except for a little white spot on his chest. There are many “Taylor stories” which are now among my most treasured memories. He didn’t meow very much, except for when he wanted to be fed, which was often. I never saw him run either except when he was running into the kitchen! He was a great lap cat and after sleeping on my lap for a while he would either lay down next to me with his head resting on my thigh, or sometimes lay his head on my feet. A loving companion always. Taylor developed feline diabetes and I never thought I could do this, but I gave him an insulin shot twice a day for a few years. He’s had a wonderful vet throughout, and we changed his diet and his diabetic condition went away. He was always a champ taking his shots or his medicine without a bit of trouble. More recently he had developed what seemed to be a chronic sinus infection. But we later found out these problems were being caused by a tumor in his head, and that he was showing signs of kidney failure as well. I would have Taylor for only about five more weeks after that, every day being filled with many tears at the prospect of losing him soon. I had to have Taylor put down on Sept. 11th and I still miss him so much. But I am so very thankful that I had him every day that I did. I have another cat named Zachary that I adopted from the Humane Society about 8 years ago and we both have really missed Taylor.

As a post script to my little story, I definitely wasn’t planning to find another cat anytime soon. But one found me. I got a call from my vet about ten days or so after Taylor passed away that someone had brought in to her a cat that had been abandoned in the neighborhood. My vet said that she and everyone in the office thought he was a really special cat. They were treating him before having to take him to the shelter but they liked him so much that they hated to just take him there. Anyway …. I went over to meet him and he won me over right away. He’s very friendly (and a little quirky) and has a great personality. He likes to sleep on my lap too like Taylor did. No one can take Taylor’s place but I am so thankful now to have my new little family member. I named him “Tony” after Tony Dungy, one of my favorite people in the world.

Mark, thank you so much for writing this book and telling your story. I have ordered it and am so looking forward to reading it. God bless you and your family, including your furry family members as well.

Susan from Florida

mark,just wanted to share with you that for a long time my wife and i decided not to get a dog because of us being so busy,however about two weekes ago we took in a dog that was our daycare providers knowing that the kids would love her so we took jenny into our home and at the same time there was a stray kitten that kept coming to our porch,my wife told God that if it kept coming that she would care for it so we cleaned up its eyes (that were all matted) and took it to the vet getting its shots and now mater (the kittens name because of the movie cars and the closeness to our last name) is now living with us and he and jenny get along great,they sleep and eat together and have a great time.also wanted to share that my best friend is a mail carrier and brings home stays all the time.I know they have lost many of thier dogs and i know its hard on them but he will continue to bring them home out of love. thanks Mark.

Ken from Kansas

DeaR Mark, greeting from Southern Utah. I really enjoy your program and listen every day. Keep up the good work.
I have been moved by your telling about your precious dogs. I have not yet purchased your book yet, but plan to so. I have a neat little Shitz Shue that my son gave to me 3 years ago and what a pleasure and companion he is to me. My wife of 44 years passed away some years ago and my Rusty has really helped to fill a terrible void in my life. My religion teaches me that I lived before I came into mortality and I will live again when I leave mortality, So having said that, I have to believe that there is a doggy heaven as well . I know that I will see my beloved wife again at that time. I have to believe that your Sprite is surly in doggy heaven as well. much love to you and your Family.

Reed from Utah

The two brothers, Manny and Will. Manny was an Italian Greyhound and Will was an Abyssinian. Both very different personality wise Thy overcame alot together. They both led happy lives. They had more love in their lives than some people ever receive. One afternoon when Manny was out on a walk a reckless teenager was going 60 mph in the neighborhood. He hit our dear dog killing him instantly. The news was heartwrenching and even more devasting when the driver did not even consider stopping. My entire family, especially my Grandpa, were heartbroken. We could not imagine how each day was going to go by without our dear friend. Will his brother seemed confused and appeared to be looking for him in the house. It was hard to tell what was going through his mind. But Manny’s passing inspired us to save another soul my cocker spaniel, Roscoe. We adopted him from the pound. Three years went by and a frightening change in Will’s health was becoming apparent. Because of his breed his chance of dying of kidney disease was more possible than compared to other cats. Will went from being a happy cat laying by the window bathing to losing five pounds in the course of four days. He dwindled down to three pounds. He could not walk he pulled himself into a corner. He could not even enjoy his most treasured activity, eating. An infection in his mouth had developed. We were forced to have to put Will to sleep. My mom pleaded to Will to just rest his eyes and let go. He would not. It was one of the most painful experience in the world. We had these animals for thirteen years. And to wake up and know they were not there was devastating. The love a dog and a cat offer is more pure and sincere than from some people. I can ever imagine going through life without the love of a dog and a cat. They are wonderful and great companions.

Courteney from Texas