Dear Mark,

I am a writer living in Virginia who has recently become a big fan of yours, not just because of the Sprite book but because of the Conservative passion you hold for the Constitution. Although you probably won’t read this, Sprite inspired me to compose these next few paragraphs:

A Schipperke is a small black dog born without a tail. His foxy face captures emotions like no other and his almond eyes can melt your soul. I’ve had two Schipperkes in my life. One broke my heart twice, one healed it.

Twenty years ago the unimaginatively named “Skipper” came into my life and decided he owned me, not the other way around. Schipperkes are remarkably territorial and tend to bond with only one individual for their lives. I don’t think, really, that they understand the master / pet relationship. An old line about cats can credibly be recast as: “Most dogs have masters, Schipperkes have staff.”

A financial reversal after Skipper had been with us for five years put me back on the road selling and gone for two weeks at a time. Skipper, as loving and loyal as he was, transferred his “ownership” to my wife. It wasn’t instantaneous. The shift from me to my wife was gradual, but it happened. When I realized what was happening, I was devastated. I no longer had “my puppy” following me around everywhere. We were still friends. We were still close. But that special bond we had was severed. I have to admit my spirit was weakened. I told myself, “get over it,” but I was hurt. Read the rest of this entry »

I have” known “Sprite and with my love of dogs, will know him again–The pain and anguish almost unbearable –we move forward to help all the other “Sprites” who so desparately need us.. Thank you for sharing your story and the proceeds to help others-like Sprite–They will forever live in our hearts as they did in our lives–

Marsha from NC

Thank you for taking the time to tell your story of Sprite. My dad read it and I just finished reading it. Being a dog lover and a foster parent for a local rescue group, I understand and sympathize with your love and your loss.

Growing up with at least one dog around at all times, when I purchased my first home I knew I wanted a dog. A Shar Pei (Grace) and Siberian Husky (Cleo) came into the family and quickly cemented themselves as family. I decided since I wanted to add another dog to the family, but felt three would be a bit crazy, that I would foster instead. By the way of a three legged Boxer named Skippy, I heard of a large Husky in dire need. He had been caught several times chasing birds in a bird sanctuary in Florida. A neighboring horse ranch owner offered to take him (to avoid being shot), but could only keep him chained in the barn. Since the rescue group had placed Skippy and knew I already had a Husky, they sought my help. A plane ride later, I met Lobo, as he had been called, as he unfolded himself from the very large airline crate. Severely underweight, ear tips bitten off from flies and looking rather raggedy (although clean) his blue eyes beamed as I took him home. After months of cooking him fresh meals to add weight, teaching him to negotiate the stairs and house training, Ed (his new name) was ingrained in my life.

Months turned into years and I decided, after the break up of a long time relationship, that for Valentine’s Day at my new house, I would try fostering again. I contacted Sheltered Paws Dog Rescue, the foster program for our local SPCA and made an appointment to meet two potential foster dogs. Even though our shelter is kept clean, it is always very crowded (17,000+ animals annually) and I simply could not decide which dog would go with me and which would stay behind. Read the rest of this entry »

I adopted my sweet Emma, a chocolate lab/pointer mix from the animal shelter in 1998. On a whim on a Monday afternoon, I decided to drop in at the shelter to look at puppies. She was in one of the bottom cages, reserved for larger dogs, but unlike many of the large dogs, was not surly or downright hostile. She had a big grin on her face and wagged her tail wildly. I asked about her on the way out and was told she had been in the Wichita shelter for 2 days and had until Wednesday before she would be euthanized.

I went home that evening and told my three daughters about the beautiful brown dog. We hadn’t planned on even getting a dog, but all agreed I would go back the next day to rescue her, even if just to find another home for her. Under pressure from the girls, I called the shelter 5 minutes before closing time to inform the workers I would be coming for the dog the next day. The woman who answered the phone then told me that my sweet Emma was to be put down that night! I firmly told her to keep that dog for me, and that I would be there as soon as the shelter opened in the morning.

From the moment I put the collar and leash on her and led her to my car, there was no question that she was going home with me. For the next 7 years Emma bestowed on us her love, her wrinkled nose grin, and her gentle nature. She was hit by a car on January 2, 2006, while running with my husband. I was totally heartbroken, even though her daily run with him was the joy of her life. For a week, I could not work, could not cook, could not function. My husband was opposed to us adopting another dog, but the quiet of the house was overwhelming. Five days after her death, I returned to the shelter. I could not get out of the car, though, because of my sobbing. I decided to go to the Humane Society instead.

There a volunteer directed me to a beautiful yellow dog named “Banjo” by the staff. He was a very quiet, calm yellow lab/golden mix. They allowed me to meet him in a room, where he walked up to where I was sitting, and placed a paw on my knee before looking me in the eye. He was so gentle and calm. I took him home the next day. We have named him James, and he has made his own place in our lives. He was brought to the Humane Society by a woman who found him by the side of a road. He was brought in the same day Emma died. I believe that Emma directed me to James, so that he too could have a home. I still miss Emma, of course, but I am thankful every day for James as well.

Cathy from KS

Mark:
We lost our beloved Cocker Spaniel “Bud” on December 27th. He was almost fifteen years old and had him since he was 6 weeks old. In November he was diagnosed with cancer. He was upbeat until the end. Our other Cocker “Odie” who has Addison’s Disease is taking this pretty hard. He’s seven. On Christmas Day Odie starting throwing up blood. I spent most of Christday Day at the emergency Vets office. The next morining we picked Odie up and took him to his Vet’s office. We took Bud with us. The Vet left the room after examining him and said she would be back in a few minutes. When she returned she asked if we had made a decision? I asked what she meant? She said that she was surprised that he had made it through Christmas. I told her with Odie in the condition he was in I could not make a decision at that time, We took Bud home.

In the early morning hours of December 27th I heard Bud having a hard time breathing. I got up with him and tried to confort him. Soon it became evident that things were going down hill fast. I woke my wife and told her we needed to get to the emergency Vet’s. I had owned many pets through my 59 years, but had never had to put one down. Outside of losing my parents – I’m an only child – this is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, but realized that it needed to be done to put Bud at rest. I couldn’t see him suffer. Read the rest of this entry »

My fiance, Ricardo, loves your show. This is our dog Presley, she may look innocent, but she tore up a whole role of toillet paper while we work at today. She is a Maltese, we never liked small dogs untill she fell into our laps and now she is the center of all attention. Everyone we know who has never liked small dogs has been converted by Presley, they fall in love with in an hour. She has absolutly no respect for humans, she will just make herself comfortable on your face, your chest, or wherever she wants. This all sounds horrible but if you were around her you would want her to come and sit on you. My dad has only ever had duck hunting dogs, usually golden retievers, not only does he love Presley but when she is around she runs the show, my dad and the golden retievers answer her every beckon call. I don’t know if you have ever seen a 6 foot 4 Texas deer hunter with a maltese sitting in the rim of his cowboy hat but it is a funny sight. My fiance had me look at your web sight and as soon as I saw the Rescuing Sprite section I fell in love. Thank you for giving all us dog obsessed owners a place to brag.

Ricardo from TX