I can’t really say a great deal about him, as I wasn’t around him long. He was only about 6 months old when he was found next to Highway 99 here in California, sitting and watching the traffic go by. I was called to come pick him up for the Weim rescue, but it was clear once I saw him that he was not a Weim. More than anything, he looked like a Viszla, only very very small. He was but 18 pounds, but full of life. Very intelligent and easy to train, too. He might have made someone a great companion, or perhaps a good hunter.All of us from the rescue KNEW he would have a home in no time.

We will never know, as a very old killer of dogs was creeping up on him unbeknownst to us. This killer is now so uncommon as to have gone initially unrecognized and untreated, not that it would have made much difference. It was all so unnecessary, as it could easily have been prevented with the expenditure of just a few dollars.

Finally, on December 30th, the creeping killer, the distemper virus, struck. Kenny had apparently made it through the first stage of the disease either on his own, or undetected. The neurological stage struck, and hit hard. The seizure lasted over 45 minutes and did not respond to any available drug. It was best to send him over the Bridge to a better place. So it was that a little guy never really had a chance, because of foolish, negligent people who didnt immunize their dog, and then left him alongside a highway to eventually die a miserable death.Then also from a truly cheap, crappy animal “shelter” that couldn’t even provide this basic care, and doesn’t do so for any but a very few that they consider “easily adoptable” and not even always for those!

Even if you’re gonna get rid of them, at the very least, please give them a chance. Get those shots for them.

Chuck from CA

I just finished your book. Thanks you so much for it. I have two “mutts”, one rescued from the local shelter like Sprite. Even when they are bad, they’re still a joy!

John from OH

I lost my Shar Pei “Zenna” to cancer (Mast Cell Tumors)December 3rd 2007 three days before she was to turn Three years old, she was such a good puppy and a special dog she left behind her pal and Sister “Baylee”. Baylee was rescued from a “druggie” who I met while I was visiting my Mom with my Dog “Annie” my nine year old Shr Pei. A Neghiborhood girl “druggie” was walking by and saw me and my dog Annie and said “My Boyfriend gave me a puppy that looks just like your Dog” she then went home to get it and brought it to me and that is where I first saw the cutest puppy.

Another Neghibor told me that a group of “Thugs” that hang around with this girl tried to kill the puppy and blow Marijuana in its face, after hearing that I offered her fifty dollars for the puppy, she declined the offer saying that her boyfriend gave her the dog and she couldn’t sell it. I drove home thinking about that poor little doggie Read the rest of this entry »

Our sweet Golden Retriever, Roxanne was our family dog. Roxie saw our son thru middle school, high school and college. She was there for his first girlfriend and his first break-up. She hovered over him when he celebrated too much on his 21st birthday! She moved to another state with us. She graciously put up with 3 cats and another dog over the past 10 years. She accompanied me thru months of cancer treatment and years of recovery. She was with my husband when he lost his job and when he found a better one. She was always there for us. She was ever gentle, friendly, loving and fun. Roxie was one of my very best friends.

We all loved her so much and we now all miss her so much. We had to put Roxie out of her misery in December 2007. She had a mass in her chest and it eventually stopped her from doing everything. We were all with her. We brought her body back home to rest.

Sometimes I miss her so much that I yell or whisper or think to myself “Love ya Rox,” because I do. I want her to know that I will always love her wherever she is. She is a part of my heart and as long as it’s beating, she’s always with me.
We all know that there’s nothing in this world like a good dog. So, here’s to the Roxannes and Sprites of the world, all that they bring us and leave us, even after they are gone!

Donna from MD

I bought your book and it has given me strength as our 15 1/2 year shep mix Annie, has been having problems with old age, arthritis, almost all her sight is gone but she is still a trooper like your Sprite. Annie like Sprite is a rescue dog from a no kill group in Illinois. We adopted her on our first anniversary hence the name “Annie”. We also adopted 2 Yorkies one around 7 and the other around 12 who was left to die at a construction site in S. GA. No one wanted to adopt the old boy so I did.
If you like I can send photos of the “kids”.
Sincerely,

Bob from FL

About three weeks ago, I purchased Rescuing Sprite and I honestly think it was a God sent. I did not know at the time that in just two weeks after reading your book my sweet dachshund, Belle developed degenerative disc disease at a short age of four. Within one day she was completely paralyzed in her back legs. Over Christmas weekend, she was hospitalized and treated with steroids. We continued to nurse her until New Years Eve, but she never showed any signs of improvement. Sadly, the best thing for my beloved pet was to put her to sleep. The book prepared me during her ailment and her passing. Just as Mark did, I plan to plant a tree in Belle’s memory.

Belle was one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve known. She was not a very active dog, and typically loved to sleep in her bed. Otherwise, her favorite spot was in my lap constantly trying to lick my face (and I of course let her). :)
Belle is missed.

Preston from TX