After a miscarriage of our first child, my husband bought a Yorkshire Terrier for me to ease my pain. Her name was Sadie, her first family could not keep her. I immediately fell in love with her. She was my constant companion. After my husband and I were blessed with children, she would sleep under their cribs, their protector even though she was only eight pounds. As she got older, she developed heart problems. The vet did everything he could to prolong her life which he did for several years with medication. Finally, the day came to make the horrible decision to put her down. I stayed with her and held her as the vet gave her the final shot. I watched as the light left her eyes. I cannot tell you how hard I cried and how long. But, I would never have let her die alone without me.

I think of her often even though my children are now teenagers and I have another Yorkie, a male, Gizmo. I know that one day the time will come for me and Gizmo to part. As much as it will hurt me, I will be with him in the end as well.

Laura from FL

This is a short story and lesson about mine and my sister’s childhood pet cat. His name was Garfield because he was white and orange, a short haired cat and pretty big too. We got him from the neighbors when there cat had kittens. He became an awesome cat and would sleep on your pillow every night and was very easygoing and a very loving cat. Around 4 years old he got bad ear mites. He ended up having his face swell up from scratching his head too much and the ear mite medicine was slow in killing the mites. So off to the vet they drained the swelling and filed down all his claws to nothing. Being that he loved going out side to run around we couldn’t keep him in for long before he escaped.

Dad came home early from work luckily he made it home before me and my sister got off school and he found our cat on our deck barely alive all soaked and ruffled with drool from being mauled by dogs and died shortly after my dad found him he was laying beside the door and it was so sad to think he struggled trying to get home barely alive.

It still is a hard story to tell after all these years but I think it’s a good lesson to share. I don’t blame anyone for there being loose dogs because our cat was loose also and well dogs are dogs and cats are cats. But he might of stood a better chance or made it if he had his claws , he could have climbed out of danger or scratched a dog long enough to get out a there. So it would help your cat out a lot if you can get your vet to leave the claws alone if they are outside cats.

Love your radio show Mark it’s the best show on radio and you talk from the heart and you can tell by that the good job your doing.

Nathan from Canada

I finished your book last night. I’m glad to see that you are donating part of the profits to rescue groups. Most rescue groups (not shelters or the Humane Society) are made up of volunteers working from donations or, most of the time, out of their own pockets.

I am the rescue coordinator for the South Central Bloodhound Club. My husband and I have rescued bloodhounds for over 10 years, and many of the dogs and their stories are heartbreaking. It’s difficult to turn perfectly wonderful dogs away because there are no foster homes available. It’s never easy, but you learn to take heart in the ones you can save and say a little prayer for the ones you must leave behind.

We have three rescued bloodhounds. Our oldest, Moose, is a little over 12 years now, and he’s starting to have health issues. Nothing that we can’t work with yet, but he’s a little slower, a little grayer, a little more tired. But when I look at him, I still see the big goofy dog we brought home 12 years ago.

Thank you for doing your part to save a dog. It’s wonderful to see a dog that was abused find happiness and kindness in his new ‘forever home’. It amazes me that so many of these dogs are willing to trust us again after what they’ve gone through at our hands.

Again, thank you.

Pam from TX

Lucky came into my life 10 1/2 years ago. My son, David, picked him out of a litter of puppies. He came at a time when my son was having a very hard time and Lucky was a real comfort to him. David says he saved his life. For 4 years Lucky and David were inseparable. Then my son grew up and moved away, but couldn’t take Lucky. For a couple months Lucky would lay on the floor of David’s room and grieve. Then he decided to become my dog, and as I had become an empty nest single mom (both of my children had moved out of town), he became a great comfort to me.

For the past 6 years, he has been totally attached to me except when my son comes to town, then he is totally David’s dog. He has brought me such joy. He anticipates my every move, follows me everywhere, protects me from noises in the night. When I come home from work, he is at the door wagging his tail and jumping in excitement to see me. I can’t imagine life without him. But, soon I will have to experience that. He became sick about 2 weeks ago, and I took him to the vet. He told me that Lucky either had an extremely bad infection that had invaded all of his lymph nodes, or he had lymph sarcoma. He put him on medication for 2 weeks and I took him back today for a check-up. As kindly as he could, the vet told me that Lucky does have the sarcoma. He was pretty sure last time, but tried the antibiotics just in case he was mistaken. We discussed all the options, and I decided to follow what he would do if Lucky was his dog. Take him home and keep him comfortable. He probably only has 4-5 months to live, and any options I would try might extend his life a couple months, but the quality of those months would not be good. I was heartbroken and drove home with tears in my eyes. Lucky hates riding the car and cries the whole time we are riding. But what he hates even more is seeing me sad. So characteristic of my sweet dog was his reaction to my sadness. He didn’t cry at all about the ride. Instead he kept laying his head on my hand licking it to comfort me. I am going to try to spend the next few months treasuring every moment with him, but it’s going to be a hard few months. I knew you would understand.

Mary Alice from PA

I just wanted to tell you about our dog, Smokey. She is now deceased but we often remember her with love and appreciation. She died of old age in 1990.
We usually took her camping with us. This one time when we woke up she was proudly standing over a dead possum that was killed by her trying to get into our food.
Another time she saved our youngest son from being hurt or killed by an attack dog that had jumped his backyard fence. Our son, David, was playing in the dirt driveway. All of the sudden this dog was running right towards him. I was watching this from my front window and could not get outside in time. Out of nowhere Smokey came and ran that dog off. I was so grateful I gave her a nice venison steak. She was a Collie-German Shepard mix. The dog that jumped the fence was pure German Shepard. I am so thankful that she was in our life and I still miss her.
I just wanted you to know that I am a “Gold Star” aunt. My nephew Cpl. Nathaniel Hammond was in the great Marine Corp. He gave his life to save others on November 8, 2005 in Iraq. He received several medals and citations. I am proud to have known him. His father followed him in death due to the sorrow he could not bear. Tom, was my baby brother. He has the most wonderful 7 children I know (except for mine of course!)
I really enjoy your program and your courage to say what is true without worrying about what others think of you. Keep up the good work.
Your friend,
Becky from MO

Mark:

I thought this would be the best place to post this. Sgt. Josh and his Sprite should be made of aware of SPCA International’s effort to bring home some of these soldiers’ dogs that they’ve adopted. Perhaps Sgt. Josh could ask for help from these people:

http://www.baghdadpups.com/

Good luck to him!

 Sandra from CA