Hi Mark. My pet story starts when I was very little. I don’t have any brothers, sisters or kids but I’ve had a dog since I was about five years old. I was lucky enough to have two beautiful Shelties who lived pretty long lives and then I had two Cairn terriers after that. My most recent, Cairn, Jonah, is in the photo attached.

When I lived in Nashville, Tennessee, I got involved in pet therapy. I would borrow dogs from the Humane Society and take them to hospitals and nursing homes to visit people. That led me into animal rescue and I was the president of a rescue group for several years in my current hometown, Traverse City, Michigan.

I was adopted by my first cat that I’ve ever had a few years ago. His name is Neelix, after the goodwill ambassador on Star Trek Voyager. Being a dog person, I had never really thought about having a cat but he changed my mind. He’s very persuasive. About a year later, I adopted a cat from my rescue group. Her name is Ali. Now I don’t discriminate. I love cats and dogs equally.

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I was so moved by Mark’s love for Sprite, that when he passed on, we created a memorial page for Sprite on FindaGrave.com. Here is the link to Sprite’s page: findagrave.com. The picture is of my beautiful “hairy daughter,” Dolly Clementine Davis. Thanks for this section.

Best, Don from CA

On July 4th 2005, my family lost Roxy, our 4-year old Golden Retriever to Gastric Dilation Volvulus Syndrome, commonly known as bloat. It seems an insignificant occurrence in light of all the death, destruction and suffering in the world today but they are mutually exclusive events. Our personal loss does not minimize world affairs but my story may save someone else’s dog.

Roxy was a beautiful, healthy and active Golden. No words could overstate how sweet she was or how much we loved her. She lived to make people happy. She loved people more than food. She made everyone feel special. Anyone and everyone that ever met Roxy loved her. Roxy had a great life. She spent the summers at the beach. She got to swim in the ocean several times a week. I ran with her a few times a week. My wife walked her each morning and afternoon and I walked her every evening. Roxy was in excellent shape.

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I thought you would like this story:
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.

The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who’d like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows. The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million.

Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago He was neutered, and
current on all shots, in great health, and even ha d a microchip inserted the day we got him Cost us $78.
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals. I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas.

Phil from AZ

I have been blessed having had the company of six great dogs in my life. The first in this line was Buster. Buster came into our lives one fall afternoon when I saw a car stop at the end of our long driveway. I saw the car door open and something was tossed out. I walked to the end of the driveway and at first saw nothing. When I turned to walk back to the house I heard a noise in the drainage ditch behind me. I turned and walked to the other side of the road and there he was all wet and mud up to his belly. He was about the size of a football. Buster was a black lab and even at this young age was happest when wet. I trained Buster to retrieve and he became a fine duck dog, working on voice, hand signals and wistle.

Over the years Buster would make the rounds introducing himself to any new newcomers to the neighborhood, some times not making the best of impressions. One such time that comes to mind was the time he stole all the bergers off the new folks grill. I still have no idea how he pulled that off without getting burnt. with time he grew on everyone and was loved by everyone.
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This was my guy, Coty. I got him from a shelter when I lived alone for the first time. He had been abused when I adopted him at about 4months of age. I should say rather, that he adopted me. My guy was a rot-terrier-germ shep-beagle mix. He was rough and tumble when we played, but the sweetest, most caring dog around children and our seasoned citizens. He gave a lonely guy like myself a reason to smile everyday. I never realized how miserable I truly was until I found him. We went on to meet my current wife, and we have 2 little girls (3 and 8 mos). He died 2 summers ago when my wife and our 1 daughter (only had 1 at the time) were out of town. We’d usually take him to the in-laws as they have a pool he loved to use. He and I stayed back because I was studying for law school. It’s true that they do go off to be alone when they die. He walked further into the backyard than he had ever gone.

All the way to the back fence. When I looked out into the yard, I noticed him laying there. I thought it strange, but when i approached to see if he wanted to play…well, you can imagine the rest. I thank God that my wife and daughter were not home for that scene. he had a number of complications from the many breeds he genetically encompassed. Anyhow, this guy was the most unique looking, softest tempered dog I have ever seen. We jogged together, watched TV together, and were attached at the hip, partners in crime if you will. I saved him from being put down when I adopted him…but I suspect he knows I was the one who was truly saved. Can’t wait for the book this Nov. (if I can find time between case books). You’re my inspiration for many a thing in this world, and I thank you. Best of luck and life to you and your family.

Jeff from MI