I’ve always been a dog lover growing up as a child. I’ve forgotten the love and affection a dog can give in my live until I read Mark’s book. Thank you Mark for a great story! My wife, kids, and I have a new member to the family. His name is Lewis. He is a Labradoodle and is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in a long time. Thank you again Mark!

Michael from MI

My husband gave me a copy of your book for Christmas… We share your loss. We had Buddy 11 years after we found him in the shelter at 4 years old. The “Farm Poodle” was full of energy and life right up to the end when a growth in his throat and cancer in his jaw bone kept him from eating and drinking. We all suffered until we discovered what was wrong. There were no solutions but to end his suffering. It is mighty tough to lose a parent but even worse to lose a companion that demonstrates daily unconditional love. Oh, what a great example they set for each of us.!!! Thank you for sharing your story.

Arline from ID

I’ve been reading “Rescuing Sprite” and I can only say that it’s been tough. My husband I had to let go of our beloved baby Ashleigh on Dec. 18th and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her.

I’m attaching a story that my husband wrote after we returned from the vet. I can only say that it was the hardest and most painful day of our lives.

“One afternoon my wife was coming home from work. Just before she turned down our street, the car in front of her suddenly stopped, opened the car door and threw out a dog. As the car drove off my wife quickly got out of her car and approached the little dog who was in the middle of the road. She called out to the little dog and it came straight to her. That began what would be an eleven and a half year love affair.

We named her Ashleigh. A small gray and white Shih Tzu with big brown eyes. Ashleigh loved to ride in the car and sleep between us in the bed. She especially loved to cuddle with my wife on the couch as they both watched Oprah.

What is it about God’s creatures that endear our hearts to them? Is it because they love us as we should love each other? Unconditionally, passionately, never asking for anything in return? Read the rest of this entry »

Mark I have not read your book yet but I will, I have just had to put my best friend of 13 years to sleep my puppy name was bandit a yellow lab he was with me through my fathers death job layoff and never failed me always at my side or greeting me at the door, I don’t know how to put all of this in words all I know is I must tell someone about some one that brought so much light in to my life – I’m better today for my relationship with Bandit – I hope some day I can write a book to honor him in the manner he should be honored – mark thank you for talking about this on you show – you have made it a little easier for me – but I miss my best friend and hopefully always will
Thanks Mark,

Pete from ID

Swish was an Old English SheepDog. I earned the $700.00 for her purchase myself when I was 14 years old. She was my best friend for 11 years. She saved me from a burglar, found water for us on a hunting trip, and waited by my window when I was away on my naval deployment. She passed away during surgery for mammary gland cancer. It was the first time I ever saw my Dad cry. She was truly one of us. I had thought about writing a book about Swish. She was so gorgeous with her all white head and a large white hook across her grayish back. I miss her to this day and hope God has her for me when I enter the Kingdom of God. I haven’t been the same since. She was, “My Swishy Bub!”

I read your book…I cried again. I’m a grown 53 year old man with a double doctorate…I wear Swish on my heart every minute and will die with her memory enmeshed in my soul. I hear her voice and feel her warmth. Call me crazy, just plain nuts (JPN), or overemotional; what the heck, I’m a therapist. Some things we NEVER get over. We often live with a controlled insanity. Thanks for EVERYTHING Mark…especially, your heart for LOVE and LIFE. Lord Bless you my friend…we’d be great friends if we ever met.

Mark from FL

My husband and I have no children so we consider our cat our “baby.” One year ago next week we had to put our precious Merfie to sleep after a 4 year illness with kidney failure. Merfie did not love anyone but us. Her nickname from family and friends was “hisser.” But oh, how she loved us. When she was only 6 years old, we discovered she had kidney failure. She spent one weekend in the animal hospital and when we brough her home we were told she had maybe 6 months. We voiwed to make those 6 months happy ones.

Those 6 months turned in to another 4 years. She had some ups and downs during this time but for the most part, she had a great 4 years. Last January, from one day to the next she was sick again. We took her to the vet and she was in the hospital for 3 days but she did not bounce back. It was the most difficult 3 days and still saddens me. During our grief over the next few days, we felt we wanted to get a new kitten right away. Our house was empty without Merfie. While she could not be replaced, we really needed a new pet to love.

Within one week we found a kitten at the local vet that was up for adoption. She was 7 weeks old. We named her Mollee and whille there is not a day goes by that I do not think of Merfie, Mollee has brought us so much joy, I can not put it in to words. She has turned out to be the most loveable, friendly, playful cat anyone could hope for. Our family and friends nickname for Mollee is “sweetness.”

Sue and Jeff from TX