Mark,

I listen to your show (via download) religiously, and enjoy it immensely. I have been so touched by your dog story and those of your listeners over the past couple of months.

I bought my wife your book for Christmas, and decided that I wanted to rescue a dog, as well as get a dog for my 11-year old daughter. We researched breeds and rescue groups, and decided to work with the Carolina Border Collie Rescue group.

They alerted me to a stray female BC, picked up in Rowan County, NC. Last Saturday my daughter and I drove the two hours to get this beautiful dog out of the shelter before they destroyed it (it’s a kill shelter with a gas chamber).

I’m telling you Mark, I broke down and cried like a baby when we got that dog out of there–she immediately laid down next to me on the ground and put her head in my lap. That’s how touched I have been with your story and the idea of saving a dog’s life.

I have attached a picture of me and my daughter with “Sadie”, after we got her home and cleaned her up. She is a wonderful dog so far, and we are truly blessed.

Keep up the good work, and push back the liberal hordes!

Phil from NC

Dear Mark, In writing to you about our beloved Bugsy, I’m hoping to lighten my heart of grief. This coming March will be 3 years since we had to put down our sweet cat Bugsy aka Baby Bugs. Our two young sons rescued him off the side of the road where some idiot discarded him and his sibling like trash in Aug.’96. He had several things wrong with him but we nursed him with the help of our vet. He grew to be a large, full grown tabby with not one mean bone in his body.

In 2000, we noticed his breathing was labored and the vet told us his lungs never fully developed and we had to give him pills every other day. Of course, he fought us at first but then eventually he would give in and would let me hold him like a baby and take his pill. Every year he would get a little worse but we would treasure every moment with him. He would try to play with our other cat but just couldn’t.

One night in March of 2005 I found him sleeping sitting up apparently because he couldn’t breath laying down. The next morning we took him into the vet and we had him put to sleep. We’ve had several animals in our lives and eventually had them put down but Baby Bugs was special. Perhaps as special as your Sprite. He was the nicest pet we’ve ever had with never a complaint.

To this day whenever we pass by a veternarian my heart tugs and I look up and think of my Bugsy. Mark, I want to thank you so much for sharing your memories and I hope and pray the Lord will continue to comfort you. I’m hoping some day to read your book but right now I know it is not possible. My husband and I love your show and you make us laugh. You’re not afraid to say what is on your mind and we love you for it! Keep up the great work and God bless America and you. Sincerely,

Linda from NV

Mark thank you for your book it was wonderful..after reading it my sweet black lab..collie mix was diagnosed with inoperable tumors. One on her leg and many more in her chest wall..My family is so heartbroken..I feel your pain Mark, I walk aimlessly around whenever i’m out just at the grocery store . All i can think about is getting home to be with her and my other dog and cats. I go to work and can’t wait to get out just to be with her and hold her and tell her how much happiness she has given me. She will succumb to this horrible disease, i know that, but right now she is here and all i want to do is let her know how much joy she’s given us…

Mark I truly feel your pain… and she isn’t even gone yet… thank you so much for your book it gave me courage to face the inevitable. My heart aches and feels heavy… and that is the feeling you said you had… i know that feeling… i have it right now… your sprite was beautiful..and i know that when my Lady goes she will meet up with Sprite and they can be friends forever… Thank you again for your book and your website,

Barbara… and LADY from ME

As I read all the wonderful stories the tears begin to well up in my eyes. I too have a 14 year old Aussie with arthritis, who is hard of hearing and has dimensia. Every day is difficult with him because he is so confused. I do my best to do whatever I can for him as he has brought more love in to my life than I can imagine. He has been an angel here on earth. Everyone who has met him wants a dog just like him. Any thing I can do for him now will only be a small token of what he has done for me. I know the time is drawing near when I will have to make that awful decision and I sometimes cry just looking at him. But I will cherish and enjoy every moment with him. He has truly blessed me. Oh, his name is Levi.

Cheryl from PA

Slurpee is absolutely my best friend. When we rescued her at a month and a half old with whiskers burnt, she hardly wanted anything to do with me, the male owner. After months of love and care she became one of those dogs that is attached to the hip of it’s owner. A runt, Lab/Retriever mix, full grown at 45 pounds; SHE IS PERFECT. Still carries a puppy coat at 3 years old and is the most obedient dog. The cool part of this story is this: I am a basejumper. My dog since the beginning has been around climbing, skydiving, and basejumping. It amazes us all to see her walk with me miles to the top of a cliff in in Moab, just to watch her owner jump. She whines as her nose is over the edge and belly on the rock waiting for me to gear up and jump. As soon as i jump she bolts back down the hill to jump on me. Just mention the words ‘base jumping’, and this dog is in heaven with glee. Thanks for alllowing me to share this experience with my best friend…. Slurpee!

Taylor from CA

We had to put our best friend of 12 years down this last summer, before all of the attention on the book. Worst day of my life. That was one good dog. Kia knew just what we wanted her to do almost without speaking. We’ve since moved on, but there is not a day that goes by, even 7 months later that we don’t miss her. I got your book, and it has been a real comfort.

We had gotten another dog about 9 months before we put Kia down. Her name is Dixie, and she is on fire to love us! She shows such selfless love, and such an excitement to see us, that it made me think of a a video concept to create for pastors and churches to use to demonstrate what our response to God should be. Dogs show unashamed love and devotion to their master, no matter what a shlub he or she is. How much we can learn from Dogs on how to love a loving Father! If you allow links, here it is. I think it demonstrates the essence of what a dog (vs a cat) offers us! http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/8190/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs

Thanks for the site and the opportunity to co-mingle with others that love animals!!

Mark from CA