I just read your book, it touched me deeply. I have three wonderful dogs. One is a Dobie named Luke who jumped out of a pickup and had a swelled spine and couldn’t walk. His owners couldn’t afford treatment and were going to put him to sleep. He was only a year old. He was the most gentle, sweet dog you have ever met. I asked the vet clinic I worked at if I could persuade the owners to sign over ownership to me and i would take over care for this dog. They gave me permission. The owners quickly signed over ownership.

Luke had to have a wheelchair, since his back leg did not work, and he had to be on an elevated bed. About 6 weeks after we got him on Thanksgiving Day 2006, Luke took his first wobbley steps on his own. My husband and I were overjoyed. To this day Luke still walks alittle funny, but otherwise can do everything a normal dog can do. I am so happy i had the chance to make a difference in this dog’s life. The joy he has brought to our family is indescribable.

Amanda from AR

Before the book came out, I heard you talk about it on Rush’s show. I lost my dog on sept. 10th. he was 17 years, 4 months and 5 days old.
As I do most of my work at home as well, he was my constant companion, best friend for 17 years.
As I listened to you, I thought, he only had Sprite for 2 years, he can’t know my pain!
I have been coping by not thinking of Snoop (when he comes into my mind, my heart literally sinks in my chest, and I immediately try to busy myself with other things.

While shopping lately, I seemed to see the book everywhere-I kept resisting buying it as I knew it would be too painful to read, but the smiling face of Sprite was pulling me. i finally bought the book-it sat on my kitchen table for 2 days, Sprite smiling up at me. I was afraid to open it.
Yesterday I read the book. I started crying on page 102 and didn’t stop until I finished it.
It was what I needed, a catharsis. And the realization came to me that I was luckier, much luckier than Mark-I had my baby for 17 years. 2 years is far too short a time with a beloved dog.
I have been meaning to plant a white hydrangea bush in memory of Snoop and will do that come spring, I know now that it will give me comfort.

Christine from CT

I happened to walk by your book today and knew I had to read it. I bought it and a few hours later am more than half way through and crying like crazy. I had to stop and come look up your website. My husband and I do not have any children but have loved many dogs. Right now we have 7.  While they are not necessarily all ours, we take care of and love them all. We moved on to a 90 acre farm to run it for other dog loving people who had through the years taken in many strays and abused dogs. At that time we only had one of our own. We loved them all immediately but one in particular became very close to us and we decided if we ever moved again, she would go with us. She is approximately 5 and a blue heeler. Her name is Matilda. A few months later someone , we believe, dumped a miniature beagle here and she almost overnight became part of me. She had heart worms at the time and we have had to have her treated twice at $1000.00 a pop. She is due to be checked again in about a month and I don’t know what I will do if she still has them.. Her name is Sadie. Then there is Gus, Augustus McCray is his full name as Lonesome Dove is my husband’s favorite movie. He is a border collie mix. To tell his story I must back up a little and tell you about the two who died. Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks in part to your book, and my supportive friends, I gained the courage to let go of my beloved Chloe of 11 years go yesterday.

She was a Giant Schnauzer, and my very best friend with “old girl syndrome” who could barely walk from severe arthritus. For weeks she had been rapidly declining and I had been up all night with her the past two nights watching (and helping) her struggle to get to her feet, only to see her pace, pant and then collapse in another corner. It broke my heart.

In Columbus, Ohio there is a vet by the name of Dr. Jennifer Taylor of “House Calls for Dogs and Cats”. Thanks to her gentle love and kindness, Chloe was able to peacefully pass with her head in my lap in her own home. And was then gently and respectfully taken away to the crematorium. It is without a doubt one of the hardest things I have ever done. For anyone strugglling with this decision, I would like to let your know that this impossible decision for me to call this vet (after 3 tries) became possible with the advice that I call call her and say that “this may just be a regular check up” type of house call. She understood and that was the only way I could finally make that call. That, and my cousin, through her tears, reminding me that after all the joy and love that Chloe had brought to my life, that I owed it to her to not let her suffer. And she was right.
I will never forget my Chloe’s gentle nature, sense of humor, loyalty, and love and joy she gratefully brought to my life. I hope this letter helps someone struggling with this same decision to love their dog enough to let them go if it is their time.
Blessings to you all.

Nancy from OH

Mark,
I read “Rescuing Sprite” today. About a month ago, I was saying to my wife Suzanne that I would like to read your book during my Christmas break. But we went through very similar circumstances with our Doberman “Conan” about eight years ago. I got cold feet about reading the book, somehow feeling that it would still be emotionally difficult for me to handle. A gift autographed copy of “Sprite” arrived anonymously today for Christmas. I unwrapped it and laid it on the kitchen counter. After walking past it a half dozen times, it kept drawing me back, so I sat down and started reading it. I couldn’t put it down, I completed the entire book in one sitting. I smiled a lot, I cried a lot, I loved it. Both of my dogs were sleeping on their bed beside me the entire time.

We went through incredibly similar circumstances with our “Conan” a few years ago. We now have two rescue dogs, “Midnight” and “Wyatt”. Just like Pepsi, our Midnight was a survivor of the loss of Conan. She grieved along with us and has welcomed a new friend into our house.

Thank you for writing “Rescuing Sprite” and thank you for sharing Sprite with all of us.

Jesse and Suzanne from KS

I am your dog, and I have a little something I’d like to whisper in your ear.

I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise.

It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer.

See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine?

Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world?

A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me. Read the rest of this entry »