Rusty was a giant of a Golden Retriever. 33 lbs. at 3 months we brought him home.
We lost him, just shy of his 13th birthday to bone cancer. What happened that day, I will never forget.
I had been reading about the “rainbow bridge”. A poem to help the pain of losing your pet. It talks about how some day you and your pet will be reunited at this “rainbow bridge.” I had the vet come to the house. Rusty was outside, on his blanket. Being so large, and that he couldn’t walk, there was no way that I was going to have him go through a painful experience in the car. As the vets were putting him down, I kept praying, “please let him go to the rainbow bridge”, and then he was gone.
Later that day, I was sitting on the back patio, feeling sorry for myself. All of a sudden, a feather floated from the sky and landed on my bare foot. Of course, I looked up to see where the feather had come from. It was a beautiful day to go to heaven. Just a few high wispy clouds in the sky. Like a plane had flown over hours ago. But, up in one of those wispy clouds was a rainbow. He had made it.

Amy from TX

Dog story with legal question…
My aunt Dorithy is in her 70’s, very active with no significant medical issues. Her dog Lexie was put down about a year ago from cancer. Lexie a golden retreiver was a rescue dog. My aunt Dorithy and uncle Roy, who died from prostate cancer a few years back, loved this dog very much. Lexie was probably abused and was skittish, but would come around after she got comfortable with you. She was as gentle as a feather. My aunt still has her cat Violet who she loves and is great company. But she had decided to rescue another golden retreiver. She had been crusing the shelters and finally found one she fell in love with. She decided to adopt her. The people at the shelter are very fussy who can adopt a dog or cat for that matter. They sent someone to her house to inspect the premisis to see if it was condusive to the well being of the dog. All was found ok. Good house nice yard etc. My aunt is quite spry for her age and you would think she was in her 50’s. She drives herself everywhere and does some traveling and has enough money for vet bills, as this was a requirement. After a while when all seemed to be going well anothe person came to her house and told her application was denied as she was too old to adopt the dog. She was crushed and is now looking to other shelters. This is a great woman who lost her husband and her dog and was trying to do the right thing by rescuing an other dog and was turned down, just because of her age. I guess my question to you Mark if you read this. Is this age descrimination? Can anything be done about this? By the way my wife and I listen to your show all the time and love it and you. Keep up the great work. I would flip a coin between you and Rush and put Hannity in at 3rd, although not by much. Thanks for reading.

Pete from NJ

Mark, First permit me to thank you for being the “clean-up hitter” I have a 10 year old beagle fiest named Ginger. I adopted her from the local humane society when she was approximately 8 months old. She is the only family I have within 500 miles. I serve as the athletic trainer (sports-medicine) person for the local middle and high schools. For eight years Ginger was as much of part of the school as anyone. She would be on the sidelines for all football games home and away. She has that effect on people. Two and a half years ago our local board of education hired a 30 year principal to lead this school of nearly 1,600 students. She is not of our community, and I’m not even sure she is human. After more than eight years, she in cahoots with a new superintendent banned my girl from the sidelines. Then from the practoce fields, now from riding with me from field to field on our John Deere Gator. The thing she enjoys the most aside from being around our student-athletes. Recently they went against this entire community by saying they would fire me on the spot if they saw her anywhere outside of my office. They said they didn’t care if everyone in this county showed-up at the board of education on mine and Ginger’s behalf it would make no difference. That is what my nearly 20 yrs of service is worth to them to go ahead. I can have another job as soon as I want one. Ginger can come too. Not to make a political statement on this sacred site, but this once wonderful school system has become a Marxist state in less than three yrs.I can’t think of any other term to describe people living on the taxpayers buck, while being completely unresponsive to the desires of a long time employee, and sevearl thousand tax payers. It is my hope these people will be elsewhere soon. If not. Ginger and I will be. Thank you! Dave Mahan & Ginger.

Dave from NC

I got out of the Air Force early last year. I had a rough time trying to become a civilian again. I tried to stay in South Carolina, where I was stationed for the last 3 years. Unfortunately, most of my friends and all of my family were back home in Cincinnati. I thank God my best friend (and savior) was there with me. The times were hard, and the stress was high. Stress I wasn’t used to. No matter how hard things got, I knew that no matter what happened, I’d come home to the one friend that would always be happy to see me.

I eventually decided to come back home to Cincinnati, and I brought Bella with me. She was my anchor keeping me grounded in many tough times.
Now, we’re both getting fat and happy. Well, she’s happy, I’m the one getting fat.

David from OH

Hi Sprite,
I know you are playing and having fun with Mikey, I have been reading all the Stories on your Dad’s site here. I had to stop for a moment,between the broken heart and tears and memories of how my Mikey helped me thru a very hard time, with late stage Lyme diesase, he gave me the strength,patience,and love to get thru a very hard depressing time. He was always by my side and knew when I was hurting. I miss him very much we only had him 11 years. I could not go when it was time to let him go. My husband had to do it alone what strengh it took. It has been four years and I am finally thinking I am ready to open my arms and heart for a Little Mikey. Thank you Sprite for inspiring your Dad(THE GREAT ONE) to write a beautifull inspiring book, and also want to thank Sean Hannity for leading me to “rescuing sprite “when I heard your Dad for the first time on his show. I have been listening every nite since. Goodnite Spritie and Mikey

Dee from AZ

Only a dog lover and a true believer in how wonderfully,dogs effect our lives.our dog ,Murdock,a Lhasa Apso/ Shih Tsu mix was our family member for 11 years.He went prowling one day,not knowing he got out.We were notified by neighbor,due to his ID tag,that he was in her yard,dead,not knowing why to this day.never a clue why,he had no visible damage,but we believe he drank anti freeze that a horrible neighbor leaves in his garage,because he is not a dog lover.He is a miserable human being.I was in the hospital for minor surgery when he disappeared.Of course I cried for days.About 2 months later, while asleep,he came running toward me in a dream. He said “I”m sorry I could not say goodbye,I love you” It bothers me to write this, it was so real.He was such a wonderful family pet.I woke up from the dream,crying and did all day. Only lovers would understand and believe my story. Thanks Mark for what you do.I have another,dog ,a Yorkie,13 years old,constant companion.She even goes to work with me.I drive a truck.

Lynn from GA