I am a physician, age 55, living in el paso, texas. my grandfather migrated from mexico(yes! mexico!)in 1917. he found steady work in the area of scottsbluff nebraska. when i was 12, my father took us to visit my grandfather, as we did every year, still farming in nebraska. he had 2 dogs, beesley and spooky, mixed breeds. one hot humid western nebraska day, i sat on the old waterpump in front of grandfather’s home, looking out at the road that lead to the small farm town of bayard, nebraska. i could see a speck on the horizon walking towards grandfather’s home. i watched spooky and beesley get excited, wagging their tails and looking at each other briefly while rarely taking their eyes off the figure that i still could not discern coming down the road. then, without warning, the two dogs bolted together! they were in full sprint towards the now slightly limping figure ambulating slowly towards me. the dogs ran to the figure in the road; they were jumping up and down, competing for a pat on the head from the man coming down the road. once in a while the two dogs would venture the the side of the road distracted by some scent, only to bounce happily back to the man which was quite apparent to me now to be my grandfather. as he approached me, still sitting on the waterpump in the cool shade of grandfather’s chinese elm trees, his eyes squinted with a faint knowing smile only the ages could bring, and asked me in spanish, “did you see my dogs?” i said, “yes, grandpa.” he asked again, “did you see how they ran all the way out there to see me? that they couldn’t wait for me to get all the way to the house? that they love me so much, they had to run all the way in this hot sun to greet and tell me they missed me?”
feeling a bit cornered by now, i was apprehensive for what he was going to say next. I said, “yes, grandpa, i saw that.” his next words have been with me all my life, even after his passing and i believe they led me to seek a life of service to my fellow man…he said, “no human would ever do that.” and he walked away.

Robert from TX

During my 56 year life I have loved and lost many, many wonderful dog companions, from a little mutt named Kuji when I was a boy to the two wonderful rescued greyhounds I share my life with today.
These two greyhounds, Parker and Shady are not my first greyhounds. They are, in fact, my third and fourth. Greyhounds are such wonderful pets. Because of how they earn their living, people assume they are hyperkinetic and run all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a breed, greyhounds are the sweetest and most laid back dogs you can have.
Our first greyhound was named Bebe. She was an older dog when we adopted her, and because she was older, she was not quickly adopted and had been in foster care for quite some time. We knew nothing about Bebe’s earlier life other than the fact that she was picked up by an over-the-road trucker in Fort Worth, who took her on a trip across the country and back and upon his return to Texas, contacted Greyhounds Unlimited in the Dallas area, telling them that a dog this sweet needed to have a forever home. Read the rest of this entry »

In 2001 we adopted a Boston Terrier puppy mill rescue dog. Trixie spent the first 4 years of her life in a metal cage. Constantly breeding and obviously with no medical attention. When we received our special girl we immediately had to remove 11 of her rotten teeth and scoop out spoonfuls of “muck” from her infected ears. Her legs were atrophied from huddling in a cage and her paws were raw and spread out. We introduced her to grass, walking and dog food. It took three months of careful petting and behavior before she would even begin to initiate contact with us. She gradually became a happy,tail-wagging dog that felt loved, but never fully recovered from the psychological scars from whatever abuse she suffered. In the five years we had her she experienced endless walks at the park, car rides, treats and even weekend getaways with us and our other Boston Mugsy. She never knew the immense joy she brought to our family but I think our love helped erase some of the terrible things other human beings did to her. Having to let her go because of a stomach tumor was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I knew in my heart it was her time to go but it doesn’t lessen the pain of losing a companion who gave you unconditional love. I tell her story as a way to honor her brave spirit.

Claudia from CT

Very sad day in my household. My 11.5 year old German Shepherd, Doc, passed away suddenly last night, while playing fetch in my yard. Having a very difficult time.

M from MN

My brother gave Rescuing Sprite to me for Christmas. I finished it in two days although through many tears. I used to rescue dogs for several years on my farm in Tennessee. I had to stop due to health problems, Lack of funding, lack of volunteers, and a devastated heart.

I gave it up except in extreme emergencies. I have one of those emergencies. Ironically her name is Pepsi. As I read the book i noticed how many of your friends, Mark, have or had very elderly dogs or ones that recently died close to Sprite’s time. Would one of your friends be interested?
I must adopt her out soon as I am preparing to move to California. I just sold my house. She is fully vetted, spayed and ready to go to a great, energetic home.
. She IS only 2 years old. She’s potty trained but needs her excitement controlled or exersized out of her each day. I can barely manage her due to my physical difficulties.
Help!! She needs a good home!!! Thanks for the book and for your compassion.
Hope I didn’t break any rules here.
Somehow we can arrange transport.

Jayna from TN;

Just finished your book and I rate it a 10 tissue box read.
This time last year I lost my beautiful girl Chloe to a brain tumour, she was a 10 year old Mini Fox Terrier (Tentifield Terrier is the other name) a true aussie dog. Very mad and a real dag (Clown) she love me, food and walks in that order! Like Sprite she had been unwell on and off for a number of months and my vet mentioned a MRI but said what was I going to do with the results. She was not a young dog, the MRI would terrify her and was I going to put her through so muchfear for the same outcome. I decided to medicate, watch and just love her to bits. I have tears in my eyes now as I type these words. She died in my arms 18th March 2007 I had her creamated as due to our drought here in Victoria the ground was too hard to bury her. I chose a pewter box for her ashes and when she returned home some of her was enclosed in a beautiful locket. I wear the locket and now take her with me to all the places dogs are not allowed! Thank you so much for sharing your Sprite with so many of us he will live on in our hearts now as he does in yours. I do have another dog she is Milly also a very aussie dog a Blue Heeler X with an Australian Terrier, she was a mistake birth so she was free to a good home and she is so much fun and a very different nature to Chloe. I will never forget my Chloe but life has to go on. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year and having a dog in my life again has made my treatment and recovery so much easier. They are truly here as our soul mates.

Clare from Australia