Mark, My sister-in-law sent me your book, ‘Rescuing Sprite” as she knows what a dog lover I am. I am sorry to say that I haven’t read it yet as I cannot bring myself to pick it up. On January 2nd, I had to have my wonderful little Bonnie Blue put to sleep. She was a part of our family for 18 years abd 4 months. She was my constant companion and confidant for the last 17 years since my wife passed away. Her love and affection was one of the reasons that I was able to get thru those terrible days when the sense of loss and loneliness was almost overwhelming. My youngest daughter has been a veterinary technician for 17 years and the vet she works for let her bring the solutions home so we could put her to sleep in familiar surroundings. I held her tightly while my other two daughters each held one of her paws. We told her how much we loved her and I told her how much she had meant to me over the years. Noelle injected the solution and she slipped quietly away, very gently and peacefully to began her jurney to the Rainbow Bridge to meet her mistress who I am sure was waiting for her. I believe she knew it was time to leave us because she had had many health problems the last year and was just very old and tired. She was a wonderful, sweet little puppy that was friends with everyone in the neighborhood. I miss her very much.
Someday soon I will read the book. I promise.

Art from TX

Murray was not a shelter dog, but he was rescued. We were directed to him, by a Sheltie rescue organization in California. At the time we lived in New Jersey. The caller asked us if we knew were Bridgewater NJ was. It so happened it was right up the road. We found Murray tied to a tree. He was the leftover of a marriage gone south. The women said “just take him” he’s good for nothing. She had two kids; I always wondered what she did with them. For the 1st year Murray was a handful, he was a runner. If you left a door ajar, he was gone. A few times he got out and we needed to scour the neighborhood for him. One day it dawned on him and he finally realized he had a forever home. He was great, we loved him. Memorial Day weekend 1999. I discovered his lymph nodes were enlarged. Took him to the Oncology Vet and was told he had Lymphoma, stage 3. She explained our options but was not overly hopeful. Murray was put on Chemo. He accepted it like a champ and the Chemo worked. His cancer went into remission. There is no cure for Lymphoma, your just buying time, in an unknown quantity. During this time marching band season started. We worked with one high school marching band, with their music and marching. We discovered Murray had found his calling on earth. Murray insisted on going to the practices. Without any direction from us he started working with the kids, keeping them in their lines. He lived for these rehearsals. He was so energetic and alive. This went on 3 months. Literally right after the season ended, his cancer returned. We knew chemo was not an option. We could only make him comfortable. Enter “Jake” another rescued Sheltie; actually Murray had picked him out of a shelter we visited one day. I firmly believe each dog has a calling on earth.
Jake’s is caregiver. When Murray was having a bad day I’d find Jake “spooned” around his brother, trying to comfort and take away his pain. One cold January morning I came down stairs, Murray was not about. I checked his bed. Our eyes met and he said it’s time. We took him to our vet. Holding him our arms the serum was administered and we let him pass over the rainbow bridge to be with the ones who have gone before him. Our vet allowed us to take Murray home. We took him home, laid him out on our living room floor. Why you wonder. Well we had/have other shelties. Dogs are pack animals, they know when one is missing and need closure, just as we do. The others we had at the time circled around Murray, sniffed and sat there. After awhile they left. They needed to say goodbye as well.
Another thing to keep in mind for each dog that enters your life which you share and then passes. They have a big influence on the next one you’re directed too. Just because your beloved has passed doesn’t mean you stop. At the right time another will enter your life filling it with more joy. Be open to your heart and the memories of your “best” friend.

Mik in Las Vegas

Received a call yesterday from my heartbroken sister in Fort Myers, FL. She had just left the vet’s office where she had made that decision we all so desperately dread, to allow her beloved German Shepard’s soul to pass on to the Rainbow Bridge. Cancer took him viciously and quickly with barely a moment’s warning other than a small bite on his leg that refused to heal. Helplessly, I struggled for something to say, but there are just no words adequate to ease the pain of losing a pet. Then I thought of Mark’s book. I haven’t read it yet, but after hearing him speak of losing Sprite and listening to the callers thank him day after day for writing the book, I knew I’d found something that might help ease her pain. I’ll be mailing her a copy tomorrow.

Nancy from NV

Mark: Shortly after retiring from the US Air Force my family and I settled down in Monroe, MI. A few days after moving into our new home my youngest daughter (then 7 years old) came home from the neighbors with a mixed breed puppy. Fourteen years later we are just a few days away from having to have this wonderful companion to sleep. Annie is her name and she has been a faithful companion and member of our family for a long time now. My heart aches when I think about the schedule time to take her to the vet even though I know that it will end her suffering. Never one to complain this dear dog has endured kidney stones and a multitude of other medical problems. Never once complaining and always continuing her role as the guardian and protector of her family. I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for “rescuing Sprite” because it has allowed me to better understand and accept the process that my family and I are enduring. I do not look forward to the day when this dear companion is no longer there when I come home from a busy day on the job.

Thanks Mark for your book and your commitment to our wonderful country! I listen to you almost every night on Sirius radio! God Bless You and your family

Bill from MI

When I was a young boy of 11 years, I came home one cold winter day on the bus.

As I was about to unlock the door to go inside I heard a little “meow”. My family had had outdoor cats, but none in a while. I looked down and I saw a tiny, and I mean tiny little kitten that fit in my 11 year old hands.

My father was dead-set against indoor pets. But, I knew this little kitten would die of exposure if I did nothing.

I snuck Jasper in to my room. She was so tiny and weak that I knew my parents wouldn’t hear her if I just kept my radio on.

I snuck her milk as often as I could and conspired with my young female neighbor (whom also had cats) to get her the food and litter (old shoe box as litter box) she needed.

Almost 2 whole months had passed and Jasper grew stronger, and more playful. And my father finally found her.

I had expected a monumentus spanking when he confronted me about it. Instead he asked me about the circumstances surrounding Jasper.

After telling him why I had done what I did, he sat there, thinking. Finally, he said that he would pay for her to be declawed and spayed. As a younun, I had only planned on keeping her inside for the winter, then keeping her outside after I knew she could survive the elements.

Of course, I went bat-sh*t crazy over the news that I could keep her with me, inside.

The life that Jasper and I had together was a short, but loving one. She was always sick. She had a skin disorder that caused her to scratch profusely. And she had problems keeping food down.

But, nonetheless, we soldiered on the best we could.

After 8 short years together, Jasper died in my arms at 4:28 a.m. the 27th of January 1997.

It has been over 11 years, and she has never left me.

Thank you Mark for letting me tell you, and others, her story.

Gary from IN

dear mark,
i listen to you every evening, and i think you are the greatest!
i have two wonderful dogs, Lily and Maggie, (also two daughters, and four grandsons), and i really want to read Rescuing Sprite, but the truth is i don’t have the guts.
i cry at the slightest thing involving animals, especially dogs,and i’m afraid i’ll get too upset.
i dread the day when my dogs will either get sick or very old, and i don’t know how i’ll cope.
but, i will buy it and read it.
i hope you will have many many years of good health and happiness,because you are the BEST!

Lila from NY