I read with much joy and sadness your story about your beloved Sprite. No words can adequately reflect the difficultly of losing someone (dogs are people to me) that you have loved and nurtured, especially one for such a short period of time. Huge kudos to you for taking such good care of him and loving him. The older guys seldom get adopted and I have made it my mission to adopt as many of the old ones as I can and make their last years as wonderful as possible. I have adopted from a shelter, rescued a puppy and adopted two labs from a rescue group.

With sadness, I have had to let go of three of them – a brutally emotional event for one to go through. I currently have one lab named Bo, who came to us around 8 years old. He had clearly been abused and it has taken much patience and love from us to help him adjust. All he wants from us is love, love, love and we are more than willing to give it.

Your book was fabulous – you said the things I feel about this process. I admire your honesty – sometimes I think people just don’t understand my attachment, not only to my dogs, but dogs in general. I listen to you often and know you are a huge animal supporter. I have attached a link to an article in the Capital Newspaper – take a look and see if you might be able to give the issue some air time. I am writing letters and calling non stop and will soon become a permanent visitor to some state and local offices until this law gets changed.

May God bless you and your Sprite – I am confident he is playing with my guys that have gone before him.

Adele from MD

www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/02_11-04/OPN

Mark,
I would like to tell you a little about the dog we had when I was a kid. His name was Chopper and he was a Blue Healer. Blue Healers are herding dogs and like to nip anything that comes near. Chopper was a growler that in spite of his growls was always happy.
He had a particular joy which was biting brush. This involved jumping in to the pick-up truck , Chopper always rode in the front, and driving through a thicket of brush. Chopper would start biting the brush through the open window and not stop until we were through the brush patch. Occasionally he would bite on to a branch that he couldn’t snap through and he would get sucked out the window before you had a chance to stop. The really funny thing is that he would usually hang from the branch until you would stop the pick-up get out and lift him and give him a little pull.
I just finished reading “Rescuing Sprite” last night and I would to thank you for writing it.

Jerry from ND

I really miss the dog stories calling in. you are the fastest 2 hours in radio. i drive a truck and listen everynight truckin down the road. i have 2 dogs with me.golden retreivers. Leo and Peanut. Peanut did not grow to full size. he was the runt. still the best dog…. what do you call a smart blond… a golden retreiver…I know you like patriotic songs…check out the song “I Pledge my Allegence” by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Quartet.

John from NE

Mark – just read your book “Rescuing Sprite”. I think I cried thru most of it. I had to put my 17 yo Dachshund (Bette) down last month. She was my best Friend. Its tough, I still have her leather collar and her tiny t-shirt that labeled her as “Naughty” as she was a one of those that loved to scavenge in the trash as Sprite did. She could also open a purse, find the gum and proceed to pull the wrapper off every stick faster than you could blink. Gosh I miss her. God Bless you and your family.

Janet from TX

Mark,

I have been putting off reading “Sprite” for months for fear of my emotional reaction. I finally read it and had to put it down at least 20 times to mop my eyes and regain my composure. Perhaps the worst part of your ordeal was the fact that you got Sprite thinking he was 3 only to discover he was much older…as if those wonderful potential years with him were snatched away without you being able to do anything.

Your warmth and humanity about your family, includes dogs, is quite touching.

I am a Boxer lover. Have had 8 and presently have 2, Rockie age 7 and Florence age 2. Your book projected me into that unwanted future when I would be facing the inevitable, which I have had to do several times before…and it only gets worse…my approach is to get another boxer!!!

Thanks!

Dan from NY

Hi Mark,

Last April, I lost my beloved husband suddenly on his 60th birthday. I also had 2 elderly dogs in poor health during this time. Lacy, my Beagle, was having difficulty standing and had just stopped walking. My Vet and his staff kept Lacy and my other Dog Chance with them so that I could focus on funeral arrangements for my husband while knowing they were being loved and taken care of. When I picked them up the day after Mic’s funeral, I knew I needed to say goodbye to Lacy and have her put to sleep. The Techs went to get her for me to visit with and she WALKED out and came to me. The Techs worked with her to get her up on her feet so that I would not lose her. My heart lept with joy and love for not only her but the staff. I had her for 3 more months.

In July I had to put my other Dog, Chance to sleep and 10 days later I had to put Lacy to sleep. I have one dog and 2 cats left and I think my life would be so empty without them. I just wanted you to know how much my husband and I loved these pets. I never thought I would lose my husband and then my pets 3 months later. I know they are all in heaven enjoying good health and lots of LOVE. I read your book “Rescuing Sprite” and was so moved by it. Thank you for writing it.

Jackie from TX