Two and one half hours ago I had to make the decision to put my cat, “Ponce de Leon”, to sleep. I listen to the radio show almost every evening and remembered this web site.
I will add him to this page…
He was one of four kittens born in my closet 8 years ago.
I named him “Ponce de Leon” because he was the first of the four kittens to venture and explore outside of the closet.
He was the most affectionate cat and loved to be held. When I was in my home office, (with the door shut because he would love to have my undivided attention and walk across the computer key board), he would sit outside the doors and meow at me until I would come out and hold him. He would cuddle with me by putting his head on my shoulder and rubbing my neck with his nose. He purred so loud.
I will miss those moments most. He made the funniest faces, like a cat “Scooby Doo” and would make me laugh!
When I was sick, he would lay with me as if to comfort me. He could since when I needed his affection and would snuggle with me. He had been sick for several months and he was not going to get better. I petted his head while the injection was administered so he could feel me until he was gone.
He has only been gone for a few hours now but I miss him with all my heart. I will miss him forever as he was a very special cat and a child to me. I am thankful that he was in my life for what now seems like 8 short years. I will cherish the pictures that I have of him and never forget all of the “special times” that we had together. Thank you for letting me share this…With much love,

Diane from FL

Hi Mark,
Really enjoy your show and love of dogs. Mine recently had surgery on his nose for cancer. Our doctor stated that his prognosis is good but he definitely needs to overcome the invasive surgery. I spent most of the night up with him last night as his breathing sounded disturbed. With all that, it’s nothing compared to what he has given to me. All people at the vet clinic said hes one of the best dogs they have worked with and he is the quintasential dog in that his main priority is loving people.
I’m a lucky guy and pray for his healing.
Joel from OR

Malachi is my “little piece of God” that lives with me..he reminds me everyday of God’s unconditional love for me.

Steve from CO

We lost our Sparky on aug. 16th 2007. she was almost 13 years old, we were expecting her to leave us, but we didnt want to let go.she left us & with great pain & suffering we eventualy had no choice but to say goodbye ,until we see her again. a few month’s latter we went to rescue another animal but we didnt connect with any of the dogs there. the same day we went to a pet store & found the most beautiful dog in the world” Lucy” the bearded collie.she was only 2 month.s old when we got her,but we fell deeply in love with her. My wife took her out every morning & when i got home i took her to the dog park. every day was the same, execpt the bond we had. each day it grew stronger. one day we came home after work & we could tell something was wrong.she was weak & wasnt hungry, she didnt want to drink. What was hapining? the next day we took her to our vet. they didnt know what was wrong either. they sent us to a emergency hospital where they had to do a blood transfusion. they did that 2times. she was diagnosised with evans syndrome.after a long time of trying to get her better she just wasnt responding to any tretment. we decided we didnt want her to suffer anymore & told the doctor to end her pain. To lose your best friend after 13 years is expected, but still very sad. But to loose a beauitiful young doggie like Lucy is just unexplainable.

Paul from NY

Mark, thank you for sharing your story of Sprite. I love reading stories from fellow dog lovers about their dogs. I share my house with two german Shepherds one lab mix and one little mutt. I love them very much. Six years ago I had to put my German shepherd down because he had bloat. He was eleven and a half. It would of been to much for him to go through the operation and the recovery. I have pictures of him all over the house and think of him everyday. So, now over the past six years I have ended up with four other dogs who I have grown to love dearly, but I will never forget my Cagney. Neither will you ever forget your Spritey. The joy they bring to our lives is well worth any pain we go through with them in the end. Thanks for sharing your happiness and pain with us.

Dianna from MO

I have just finished “Rescuing Sprite” which my son gave to me. He is one of yours and Rush’s big fans. We love each other dearly and share a love of our four legged friends even though we do not share political beliefs. Our love has taught me that political differences need not affect our love for one another. I know that you and I share a love of country and a love of our best friends and that seems much more important than what may divide us. Thanks for the memories that you brought back of a life time with “best friends” who happened to be boxers.

Dick from NC