Mark, I lost my dog, a german sheperd/black lab mix about 1 yesr ago, I was just so sad and depressed it was almost like losing a child. About the same time I had heard your show and your discussions about dogs and it helped lift me from my despairs. I miss my Sam but he will always be with me in my heart. I listen to your show every day on my way home, you are an inspiration as I know I am not alone in y beliefs. Thank You for your service.

David from Va

Mark, I just read your book and wanted to share my story with you. On May 20, 2003 our little black girl (toy poodle) Gracie gave birth to 2 boys. One of those was white and we named him Gadget. When he was 3 months old he began having seizures and we noticed that he couldn’t see. We took him to our vet and was told that he had hydrocephalus, more comanly know as water head. We were devistated. We took him to a specialist and elected to have a shunt put in his head to relieve pressure and stop the seizures. After much time in the hospital, be brought him home.

With another puppy (Cody) in the house we had to devote a room to Gadget. He quickly learned where his food, water and bed was. He could navigate the room like he could see. He loved to go outside and we walked with him to keep him from running into things, etc. It was very difficult to give him a bath. He snapped because he was scared. He bit me on a regular basis but sometimes he would let me hold him. We had almost a year with him before the seizures began again and he died. We couldn’t get him to the vet fast enough. We think something happened to the shunt. Looking back we probably didn’t to the right thing prolonging his life but we loved him and tried to do what we thought was best.

The vet nevrr encouraged us to put the shunt in. I guess they realized that he would not have a long life although the never told us that. I still can’t think about him without tears. My husband cried for weeks after his death. Now we still have Gracie, her husband Marley and Gadget’s brother Cody. Life is never dull. They are our children. I understand what you went through with Sprite. I wish I could have known him. We listen to you on the radio every night at 6 p.m. and love the show. Thank you for sharing your time with Sprite. Much love to you and your family.

Liz from NC

Snickers was my lab/rottie mix of 12 years. I had her from the time she was just a pup, and all my friends thought I was a little crazy from the way I doted on her :) Finally, in March of this year, she began losing weight and muscle mass. Nothing seemed to help – my vet saw her so many times, but eventually I realized what had to be done. A friend of mine gave me a copy of Rescuing Sprite a few weeks before I had Snickers put to sleep. I have to admit – I cried while reading it, but in many ways it helped me prepare for what I was about to go through with Snickers. Thanks, Mark – your words have been a great blessing.

B.J. from TX

I was never a dog lover.   One day my wife decided she was going to get a dog (against my advice).   Well, Ricky the bichon frise came into our lives and things would never be the same.   He is the most manipulative, frustrating, stubborn creature I have ever known.   And he has taken over my heart and become our baby substitute.

People we meet on the streets and higways just fall madly in love with him at first sight.   Women LOVE Ricky (where was he when I was single?)  And although he loves me the best, he has been a good friend to my father-in-law who is receiving chemotherapy for metatastcized prostate cancer.   He spends day and night following him around, keeping him company and making him laugh.

Animals are just so great, but dogs are the best.   God bless you Mark and God bless America!

Ray from NJ

I read your book about Sprite and I loved it! I had to put my husky mix to sleep and I thought I would die also. Never felt such pain. Why is your show not on in Colorado? I get Rush and Sean and Glenn but not you. I just watched you on Cspan and you were great! Love you!

Barb from CO