Mark, I came to appreciate your abilities a few years ago when I first saw you on one of the Fox shows–probably Hannity and Commie–it was around the time of the Lewinsky/ Bubba impeachment hearings. It was so cool to hear a kindred spirit talk in logical terms about conservatism, etc. I listen to your downloaded radio show every morning and bought 5 of you Rescueing Sprite books last Christmas and used them as stocking stuffers for my kids. As a lifelong 58 year old dog lover who is still burning mental perpetual candles to my yellow labrador Heidi I can fully relate to your depression and sense of loss for you buddy Sprite. Isn’t it amazing what dogs do for us? Keep up the good fight. your friend. Andy–P.S. Long live WFB!

Andrew from CA

Hey Mark, I really enjoy listening to your show and love the stories about Sprite and Pepsi. I have never had a rescue dog but my family has had American Eskimos dating back to my Mom’s childhood growing up in Oklahoma in the 30’s. I had gotten my first American Eskimo in 1983. Pete was with me for one month short of 17 years. I had to put Pete down the day before leaving town for a week eight years ago. Pete’s health just got to the point where there was no other alternative. It was devastating to have to take Pete to the vet but it was comforting to be with Pete to the very end. We had been through a lot together.

I have come to the conclusion that many things happen for a reason. When I got back into town a week later I got in touch with the breeder that I had gotten Pete from. I was in luck she said, she had a litter due around the beginning of July and it was a litter from a couple of her favorite dogs. Needless to say the check for the deposit was in the mail within minutes of my hanging up the phone.

As luck would have it I was the first one to get her a deposit and therefore I got to choose from the entire litter. I had to wait a couple of weeks after the puppies were born but it gave me some time to give some thought to naming him. At the time I would go to a local park during my lunch hour in order to listen to Rush during the summer prior to the 2000 election. I had drawn a blank for a while trying to decide what to name this new puppy. As I listened to Rush one day it hit me like a bolt out of the blue. You see, my mom had a dog named Rush when she was growing up in Oklahoma. The more I thought about it as I listened to Rush on the radio, the more I liked the thought of naming my new puppy Rush.

The name fits this dog like a glove. First, there was the family history with that name. My mom grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. My grandfather was an executive with Phillips Petroleum. He had gotten several American Eskimo dogs from breeders in Missiouri over the years.

I thought what a great connection. Both Rush and Rush were from Missouri. Now I had my own dog Rush. The name on his pedegree is Pinebrook Rushmore Reagan. His call name being “Rush”.

I had never had any plans to show him but to make a long story short in that regard Rush has been one of the top American Eskimos in the country over the course of the last several years. Among other things he was the #1 American Eskimo In the UKC Top Ten Rankings for 2005 and was named Showdog of the Year by the National American Eskimo Dog Association for 2005.

He is the greatest dog. Rushmore Reagan, my buddy Rush. Just my small way of honoring some of the most influential people in my life.
I hope you like the picture of Rush. He has that same kind of happy look that Sprite has on the cover of your book.

Sincerely, Dave from MN

PS: “Fritz”, “Skip” or “Horatio” would also be a great middle names for Barry Obama. Fritz Mondale belongs to my church. What a tool-box.

I received your book as a gift and was reading the chapter where you had to put Sprite to sleep when my own dog of twelve years became sick and had to be put down. It was a very sad day as you know but your book has helped me to get through this difficult time. Your thoughts and feelings mirrored many of mine.
My dog was a beagle named Bogey. He was my best pal and will be missed greatly.
Thanks for writing your book about Sprite and Pepsi. I also enjoy your radio show very much.

Tom from WA

Mark, I’ve never heard your radio show (but I’m going to look for you), I just LOVED Rescuing Sprite! What a wonderful story, and how you described your relationship with your dogs, any dog lover could relate perfectly. I got the book for Christmas, and am passing it along to other dog lovers in my office (whoops, that won’t help your book sales, and the sales benefits dog shelters). On second thought, I’ll suggest they buy it for themselves.
I felt the same way about Ruckus, half English Sheepdog, half Springer Spaniel. I miss him still after his death 14 years ago. You wrote an awesome book, you made me laugh and cry and remember. Thanks for sharing your dogs and your family.

Karen from IL

Mark,

I just finished your book and wanted to personally extend my sympathies to you and your family. On january 4, 2008, I too lost my most loyal companion, tyler. He was a 13 1/2 year old yellow lab that I had from the time he was 8 weeks old. I also struggled with the fact that I decided when, where and what time my best friend would pass away. Signing those papers haunted me for weeks. I miss my Tyler every single day. I have lost loved ones in my life, but this was by far the most painful decision and hardest thing I’ve ever done. Our home still feels so empty. We have his ashes and I look at the tin daily. We are not ready yet for another dog, but when we are, we will rescue one from a shelter. Honestly, I didnt think I would want another dog, but your book helped me realize that, yes, the joy and love they give us every single day, does override the sorrow we feel when they’re gone. Sprite was a very lucky boy to have such a wonderful family. Peace,

Peggy from NH

Mark
Thank you. I have been listening you for awhile as I drive home from work. I have been interested about your book “Rescuing Sprite”. I have three rescued dogs…Dakota a small fox looking dog, Gypsy the pure bred doberman and Buster the lab and spanial mix. Dakota came to me as a puppy only 6 months old 3 years ago. Buster now about a year was found hurt in the street here in El Paso not even a year ago. Gypsy was 6 or 7 abandoned and abused when she came here two years ago. The man who rescued her was being sent to Iraq and asked us if we could watch her. We said yes. This is the story about Gypsy. She came here with a short leg where the previous owner had broken it. The first few weeks you could not even get close to her because she was so skittish and scared. I tried to hug her one time and she replied in her own way…she bit me. In fact the first few weeks I was the recipient of 5 bites. But slowly Gypsy got love from me and my two roomies. She began to come close. Then getting petted was her joy. By last summer I had a bed full of dogs, Dakota by the small of my back…Buster and Gypsy on either side of my legs. Then Gypsy decided to lay by my chest. She began to lay sideways then upside down with her head on my chest. She wanted to be scratched. You know how dogs love that scratching that the back leg jumps. Well she loved it. Anyway to make a long story short, Gypsy is a loving dog now…and the sorrow is that she is beside me dying. She has terminal pneumonia, the vet came here today and said she will not survive. So I am writing this to Gypsy to say good bye. Tomorrow I will hold her in my arms, scratch her belly and send her to be with Sprite. I hope they play well together. She does have some attitude though. Thanks Mark

Ervin from TX