Hi Mark
Just finished your book and it brought back so many memories for me as way way back when I was 18 (am now 41) our family dog was put down. He was a beautfiul Italian Greyhound named Samson and I was just 12/13 when he came into my life. I was not the happiest teenager like many others I am sure (still trying to find their place in the world etc and to belong), but with Samson I belonged. He was my best friend and it absolutely broke my heart when he was put down.

It took me over 20 years to get over him and that was only by rescuing Ruby my little Jack Russell / Greyhound Cross who I rescued from the SPCA in South Africa where I am now living (she was only 12 weeks and will be 2 in January).

A year later I rescued Mickey a beautiful Fox Terrier also from the SPCA. I have attached a pic. They are truly my children and I do not see them as ddogs but as little people. Their hearts are bigger than any person I have yet to meet. They have taught me to be a better person and everday I am grateful for them and tell them so. Ruby is my little angel and Mickey is my hero and I thank them for choosing me.

Claire from South Africa

Dear Mark,

I just finished reading your book about Sprite.  As others who have written you, I also recently lost my best friend.  Her name was Pax, the peacegiver.  She was a golden retriever/black lab mix. For over 13 years we were together.  Although I told her every day of her life that I loved her, I still wish that I would have said even more to her as I held her while she was dying.  I guess what I really wish is that I could have kept her with me just a little longer.  I don\’t have to describe the hurt that is still within me, as you must share the same sense of constant loss.

That there had to be another dog in my life was a given, as it always had been since I was a child.  His name is Starbuck, a six month old golden retriever; a bouncing, happy, excited flash of golden fur.  He is named after the character in the movie The Rainmaker, who embraced life with enthusiasm, vitality, and a little mischievousness.  That is my pup.

There is something I wanted to share with you, although I am still trying to understand it myself.  Well-meaning people who hear of our loss often offer encouragement by suggesting we get a new dog, replace the old.  Although their  only intent is to ease the pain, we tend to characterize their remarks as evidence of callous indifference; not understanding or appreciating all that our pet meant to us.  But privately, down deep inside, it is ourselves whom we are chastising, for we mistakenly believe it is us who are failing our dear friend, because we do so desperately want to have a dog back in our lives.  Read the rest of this entry »

My husband and I have two one year old dogs and a fourteen year old cat. They are our babies. Lexi is a boxer mix we adopted from an animal shelter. Lexi was a pup when we got her. She is now over a year old. Lexi is so smart and sweet. Frank is our lil pug baby. He is so funny.

Luci is our old cat. She came to us from a friend I worked with thirteen years ago. She hates the dogs. I don’t know what we would do without our furbabies. They are so special. Thanks for reading.

Tammy from TN

Dear Mark, I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite and it was a great book.  Your pets, and Sprite, know they are loved and you gave Sprite the best years of his life…It\’s harder for the older dogs at the shelters to find homes, I know you  didn\’t know he was that old at the time, but in the grand scheme of things YOU and your family were the ones that had to be there for Sprite!  You just keep on loving Pepsi and Griffen and keep Sprite in your memory!

I have already told you about Gumbo, Boodan and Dewey and I have lots more stories to share in the future!  I alway tell people that are looking into getting a pet to go to the local shelters because there are so many animals looking for a good home, both purebred and mixed breeds!!  My dad is the one that taught me to go to the shelters when looking for a new companion and I have done so numerous times over the years!

One more thing I tell people, like Bob Barker always says \”Have your pets spayed an neutered!\”  You have a good day Mark – Pepsi and Griffen are waiting at the door for you!!  ;-}
I\’m also a fan of your radio show, listen most evenings!

Maggie from FL