I ordered Mark\’s book today.  It is the first time I have visited Mark\’s website, but have heard him talk about dogs.

We just lost our German Shepherd, Kayla Czar, to old age.  She had been with us for 16 i/2 years.

Four years ago we purchased a motorhome, and Kayla had been with us everyday since, never left in a kennel,  or at home to be watched.  She was our friend and guardian.

Thank you Mark for your book.  Hopefully it will help us  with the loss of our dear companion.

Tom and Patty from CA

For the first time in over 8 years, when I came home from work tonight, there was no one to greet me. My sweet Lucky dog died this morning. He was full of life, right up to his last morning on earth. He got sick last night and this morning for the first time, had no desire to go for a walk or eat anything. He died while I was petting him, and while I’m heartbroken to lose him, I am grateful to God that he lived a full life right up to the end, and didn’t suffer. He was my son, David’s dog first and became my buddy when David moved out on his own in 2000.

Although he has been sick with lymphoma since February, he never lost his zest for life right up until this last day. Even yesterday, when we went for a walk he was thrilled to be outdoors, pulling hard to go further and faster. That made it all the harder to see him go down so quickly, and yet at the same time, I am so glad that he didn’t suffer and that he died at home, with me petting him. It is so empty in my house now, though. He was the spark of life running all through the house. We always called him “Puppy” because even though he was 11 years old, he still acted like a puppy. Christmas will seem strange this year without him. Everywhere after I set up the Christmas tree, he would gather up all his bones and spread them out under the tree, then lay there wagging his tail and grinning. He loved his Christmas collar, a plaid cloth collar with a gold bow tie and bell. I could go on and on, I have 11 years worth of special memories. He was my good puppy and good pal.

Mary Alice from PA

The ad read “Puppies for Sale … six of ‘em. Shih Tzu-poodle mix … four males, two females …adorable little fur balls.” We phoned the breeder, got directions, hopped into the car and drove to see a half-dozen yapping, snapping, six-week old puppies. As walked to the door, my wife cautioned me that we were just there to look. At $200 a pop for a mixed breed dog, it might not be the best deal we could find.
I liked them all; but a feisty little brown guy caught my eye. Then there was the little black one. The owner said the little black one was very people friendly and quite the snuggler. That cinched it. I begged to but them both, but my wife insisted that one was enough. On the way home, we named the little black guy Rudy … Rudy guy.
Rudy had his first meal at his new home in the middle of our den … on the carpet, in front of all the people. Not in the kitchen where he would have to eat alone. At bedtime, I placed a cardboard box on the floor by our bed. We placed warm covers, a small battery-powered radio and a stuffed sock-toy to keep him company. But before the lights were out, Rudy was in the bed with us, prancing around, gnawing at the covers and giving us puppy licks. All night long, he stayed in the middle. All night long, my wife pushed me away fearing that I would roll over and smash the little guy.
Now most of the pups I’ve taken-in kept everyone awake for a night or two. I guess they missed their mama and their furry siblings ‘cause they’d cry and howl to beat the band. However, Rudy didn’t make a sound all night long. When I awoke the next morning, I was startled to find him still in the middle … lying on his back … being very, very still. Too still. Almost in a panic, I called his name and scratched his stomach. He gave a big doggy yawn and started to stir. Our life with Rudy Guy had begun. Read the rest of this entry »

It was August of 1993, my sister had moved to Texas to attend Baylor University. The house seemed so empty. My folks had divorced a couple years before and with my sister gone it was just me and my Mom. It was an odd time. Mom was still trying to find herself now that she was not Mrs. Rick Hartsfield, and I, well, I was a teenager. I was full of emotion, full angst, full of a lot of things. With Heather gone, I was unaware of just how life would shape up to be. Truth is I was lonely, very lonely. I tried to put on a good face, tried to be a \”man\” and not show how I was feeling. Funny thing is, with all that was going on in her heart and mind, my Mom still saw right through the \”mask\” I was wearing. She was able to put aside, if only for a moment, her pain and emptiness and zero in on her child\’s need.
When I was growing up we always had dogs. We had all kinds of dogs. We had a German shepherd, we had mixed breads, and we had an English bulldog. We had just about every dog you could think of. There was a time when my Dad thought we would raise Cocker Spaniels. It seemed like a good idea. Trouble was the first Cocker we got was a few bricks shy of a load. In the end, the Cocker \”experiment\” last about 7 years, with little or no rewards to show.
The back yard was so quiet. No barking, just silence. Honestly, it was kinda refreshing. We had had some tough times with the Cockers. So, the peace was a nice change. However, when Heather left the silence seemed to overtake everything. It sorta crept in from the back yard and filled the house. I must have not hid how uncomfortable it made me to well, because Mom decided enough was enough.
It was a day like any other; summer was coming to a close and school would soon start again. Upon coming home from work one day evening, my Mom told me to head out to the truck.

\”Where are we going?\” I asked.
\”I have to run an errand in Modesto.\” She replied.
\”Can\’t I just stay home while you go?\” I wined.
\”No, you are going.\” She countered.

Annoyed and frustrated, I sat silently as we headed to Modesto. We lived in Oakdale, California, a small rural town of about 10,000 to 12,000 people. The trip from Oakdale to Modesto would take, on average, 15 to 30 minutes depending on what part of town you were headed to. After what seemed to be an eternity, we arrived at a house I was not familiar with.

\”Where are we?\” I groaned.
\”Just stop complaining.\” She fired back at me.

She knocked on the door and a man, who I\’d never seen, greeted us and invited us in. He led us through his home to the back yard. Once we were there I saw the most beautiful Golden Labrador I\’d ever seen. She was thick and broad, just simply a gorgeous dog. Attached to her was a litter of Black puppies. Read the rest of this entry »

Chloe is my Chi/Terr mix 12lb little Mutt Bug.  She saved my heart in many ways and continues too daily.  I am a true dog lover and appreciate all animals.  I awoke one morning…turned to my boyfriend John and said.\”I am adopting a dog today\”, and I did.  It had been ten years since my last dog that I had to give up for adoption due to housing.  It broke my heart in ways I can not explain.

Finally I felt ok to get another dog and when I did Chloe came to me.  It turned out that I ended up saving her life as well.  She was a stray that was very sick and on her way out.  We took her in, spent a lot of worth while money on her and she is super healthy and happy to this day still looking over my heart and keeping it safe.  I would like to share more about Chloe as time with her is my most memorable and precious moments.  To every dog lover out there…Cheers!!

Christine from CA