One of my brothers-in-law is a tough truck driver for an oil company. While making a delivery to a trucking company one Friday, in the lot he noticed a dog tied under a truck on a short rope, a bowl of dirty water and only ate what the workers threw down. He was told that a previous worker left the dog and never returned for it. He came home that night and told us. We immediately said to go back on Monday and if the dog is still there, take it home. It bothered him so much that the next day, Saturday, he couldn’t stand to wait. He drove to the truck lot but it was not open, the lot was fenced and locked. He saw that the dog was there but could not get to it. He came home, called his boss, told him the story and asked his boss if he could possibly get the name and phone number of the owner. After hours of waiting & trying, he was finally able to track down the owner who agreed to meet him at the lot and give him the dog.
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This is one of the kindest things I’ve ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
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Is it sad that my dog Abby is one of my best friends?? A few weeks ago, I was watching a Nooma video (Series by Rob Bell) and he was talking about the Jewish Custom of “Sitting Shiva,” where the close family and friends of a mourner would come and just sit with them for seven days. No talking, no Wake, no food or “Celebration of Life,” but just sitting, mourning, and grieving.

Silence…

Isn’t it funny, but that is what Abby does with me. Sure, she’s a dog, but you have no idea how many times she has performed the duty of “Sitting Shiva.” I have not experienced many deaths, but I have experienced many deep hurts, and when I am grieving, Abby just sits with me. Pearl is a different story-she is a puppy and she needs ritalin, but Abby is mature and thoughtful-and she just sits. Sometimes when I lay across my bed and cry-she just comes and licks my face as if to say, “I am here for you.” She asks no questions, gives no advice, she just sits.

Kathy from MD

I have not had the chance to read your book yet, but I can imagine the strife that you are going through.

When I was younger, still in high school, we had the opportunity to rescue a Rottweiler from a ranch in Oklahoma. I named him Chakotay, but we ended up calling him Koti for short. He instantly became part of our family and our other pets took to him quite well, especially the American Eskimo Husky named Angel who had been a member of our family for years. To see this huge black mass and this small white puff of a dog rolling and playing together was a humerous event.

We soon came to realize that Koti had been previously mistreated. He would run the instant you picked up a garden hose and got very nervous when someone was right in his face. I decided to trian him myself and he learned amazingly fast. Within weeks he would respond vocal or signal commands instantly.
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About 6 mo’s ago our 2 yr old Puggle, Meeko, needed a companion, so we called the local shelter and they told us they just brought in a dog who had been living on the street. We took Meeko in to meet him, and they played well together, so we took him home and named him Louie. He was a sorry sight, crooked tail, a cyst on his forehead, and was very, very thin, but his tail wagged a lot. Being part beagle and part dachshund, he has traits of both. He looks like a dachshund and barks like a beagle. The vet said he was about 7-10 mo’s old.
He wouldn’t let us too near at first, backed away when we tried to pet him, and we decided all he needed was time.
He has a lot of survival skills that he now uses to dump all the garbage out, get into waistbaskets and strew the contents as far as possible, sneaks downstairs to eat the cat food.
We have enjoyed his different personality and like seeing him trust us more each day. Somebody said we should have named him “Nathan Detroit”
Louie is now a permanent part of our family.

Nancy from IL

My dear mark..You hve really touched my heart. I am a regular listener, even though I am canadian I find your radio station brillant, right on point..I am especially moved by your love for your dear friend sprite and the the love and compassion you show to your pets, is a winderful thing. Dogs give us so much without asking for much back..awalk,a secial treat a good rub. I am sitting hear listening to your nov1st download, you are playing your are so beautiful to me . Tears are streaming down my cheeks…

My story is one of love,strength and sadness. I have a very dear friend, her name is ebby, she is a dalmation a real sweet heart loves people especially kids. She is12yrs old. Last summer I became deathly ill ffrom necrotizing faciitis(flesh eating disease)I spent 4 days in the icu and was given a 10% chance of surving I had surgeries that removed most of the flesh from my abdomen.. I truly believe the reason I am alive today is because of ebby, don’t get me wrong I have a loving and caring husband and sons. My husband bought ebby to the hospital to see me even at my worst time, one time they even allowed her to spend the night laying beside me . I found out later when I was a bit better that they thought I wdn’t make it through the night. I believe she gave me the strength to keep fighting. I owe her so much, my deep sadness is that she is dying of heart faulure and kidney disease. I know her days are numbered.I feel so helpless that I can’t help her like she helped me and continues to this day to help me recover.Everyday she keeps me smiling with asking nothing in return.I don’t know how when the day comes to put her down how I will get through it., but I will and I have to be there for her . like she was for me in my hour of need. I certainly owe her that much. I will buy your book mark.I know your book will give me the strength, and help me cope with what so many people have to go through when you bring a pet into your life.. You said it so well today in a quote from your book ‘Time is always to short with the ones you love ‘ Thanks in advance Friend God bless you.

Susy from Canda