Today is Christmas Day and I finished reading your book. Needless to say, I had a box of tissues next to me almost all the time. There are many dogs out there that were abandoned by their owners just because they did not know how to properly train them and take care of them. Seeing that you had a dog that grew up in your household and then rescued another one pretty much reminds me of what we did.

Both my husband and I always talked about getting a dog. One year after we bought our house, in 2005, we were deciding on the breed when our friend let us know that his Dam, Sable, was pregnant. She had a litter of 8 puppies in June and our friend let us choose one. Sable and Syrus (the Sire) were purebred Siberian Huskies, dark gray, black and white with blue eyes. We saw the puppies the day after they were born and noticed this one apart from the litter, with a big butt. I wanted to know what it was and asked it to turn around. It did not take long for the puppy to turn on its back with its legs up in the air (I think coincidence played a bigger role on this one). I just thought that was adorable and asked our friend to keep an eye on her until we decided. Every time we went back to check on them, this puppy would walk towards us and follow us everywhere in the house. Two months later, Fiona came home with us. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mark ~ I recently had to put my dog, Jake, to sleep. Someone told me about your book, which was the only thing I asked for Christmas. I received and read it today. I laughed and I bawled. It was my favorite gift. I thank you for putting into words the things I have been feeling for six weeks. I thank you for not making my grief over my dog feel silly. Thank you for sharing your sad story. God bless you, Kendall, Lauren, Chase, Pepsi and Griffen.
Love,

Alice from GA

I am not sure if I can get through this story in one attempt but I am going to give it a try. My family lost our dog Ranger on December 13th. We believe she was 16 years old but we never knew for sure as my father in law found her in the woods on a hunting trip many years ago. The name Ranger came from my 16 year old son Tate who named her Ranger after the Power Rangers show he use to watch when he was two to three years old. Ranger came to live with us in 2001 when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and with the weekly hospital visits for chemotherapy my in-laws were no longer able to watch her and giver her the attention she needed.

When Ranger was brought to live with us in Atlanta in 2001 I was not sure I wanted a dog, but as a “right thing to do” I reluctantly agreed to let Ranger come live with us. After a few months of getting use to the new addition to our family I became emotionally attached to Ranger and she became one of the family and I found myself becoming so attached that everyday she was with us was met with unconditional love.

Ranger went from living outdoors, sleeping in a dog house with a light to keep her warm at night to a full fledged in door dog who did not like to go outside if the grass was wet to use the bathroom. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear mark i am a over the road truckdriver and enjoy yor show very much and it is very educational not to mention eye opening.But many days I have to turn the show off,as it is very hard to drive when there are tears in my eyes. My story is about a very energetic boxer named casey. She belonged to friend who didn’t give her the attention she needed.One day he called me and asked me if I wanted her ,of course i said yes. He told me to have her gone before he got home that day. Iwent to pick her up,she had never been out the front door,when I let her out she ran up and down the street and I couldn’t begin to catch her.I opened the door of my truck and she jumped in. At that time I thought it would be a good time to inform my wife about the additon to our family.She did not share my love for my new dog. My wife vowed she would not let casey in the house or ride in the car with her. But that soon changed as casey could melt the hardest heart and she did on many occasions.She brought so much joy to my life and helped though some very hard times.

When she got sick it was very hard .I knew what needed to be done but my wife said she be better in the spring.But as spring turned in to summer she did not get better. One day i came home and she was out in the yard, she came in the house to greet me as she always did. Little did i know it would be the last time. She colapsed in the floor and couldn’t get up. I knew what I had to do.I took her to the vet,they came out to my truck to get her but I wouldn’t let them . I carried her inside and sat in the kennel with her and cried over her because she had become my best friend. Her last movement was to lick the the tears from my face,I guess it was her way of telling me it was ok.That was the second hardest day of my life,I didn’t lose my dog I lost my best friend and a member of my family. I know have another boxer and a lab. but they don’t compare to casey.

Jim from MO

I sent a reply to you awhile back about my kitties and dog Max. Now I have another story to tell. When I first read your book Saving Sprite I could hardly read it in one sitting without getting choked up. I remember thinking what would I do if I had to face this with Max. The pain was to great to even think of. But last week Max went down in his hips, we took him to the vet and they tried meds, and he ralied one day. December 24 2007 we had to say goodbye to a very dear and faithful friend. They think it was some sort of cancer going on and since he could not stand, I could not let him suffer. Max came to us at 4 weeks of age, and gave us 10 years of great joy. The pain is so raw. But it was almost like your book was preparing me for this. So now I say so long to my faithful friend, I will never forget you.

Sheila from GA

I had to say farewell to a furry loved one, and five days shy of her second birthday. She had hemolytic anemia really bad. We did all but a bone marrow transplant. My loving and kind vet assured me that after the blood transfusions, my Murphy had little hope of surviving such an operation. I was with her as she left my life. Never does a day pass when I don’t miss her. And there will always be that lingering guilt. Could I have done more? Like you, I have her cremated. Unlike you, I keep her with me. For months I kept her between my pillows, where she would sleep. Even after a Christmas puppy came into my arms, she was there. After some time, I placed her in an equally precious home. My girl, Reilly has helped me move on. But I lost two dogs in that time…one passing in her sleep…the other by my signature on a piece of paper.

My Dad gave me your book about Sprite tonight as a Christmas gift. I read it in two hours. I sobbed. I hurt. I glorified my Roxy and Murphy. I felt your journey, and hurt all over again. But I saw you welcome a new dog, as I was forced to do with the gift of Reilly.

And like Robert Frost said about the road not taken…that has made all the difference.

Your book was emotionally hard to finish, but I am glad I did. I feel some much need kindred spirit has helped me find a way to gain closure.

Bless you. Thank you.

Melissa from LA