When my husband passed away 8 years ago, I was left with his cat, Zeke whom I adopted as my own after we were married. When my husband died, it was just Zeke and I. What a comfort we were to each other. Zeke passed away 3 years later and again my heart was broken. About a year later after encouragement from family and friends, I thought about getting another pet – this time I thought about a puppy because quite frankly I’m allergic to cats. I thought about the big responsibility of having a dog and then made the decision to get my “Sophie”.

After having her now for 3 years it was one of the best things that I had done for myself in a long time. She has been such a blessing. It’s hard to be in a bad or sad mood when you are around her. A dog really is a “woman’s” best friend. I’m sorry for the sadness the Levins have experienced and I look forward to reading Mark’s book.

Sharon from TN

This is my cat Hisser. I often refered to him as my “puppy cat” because he acted like a dog at times. He would “bark” at times rather than meow. He came to us form our first family cat as a kitten, and got his name by the amount of hissing he as a kitten. The funny part was he never hissed out of defence but rather looked as to be laughing. One of my favorite things to play with him was a sort of peek a boo game where I would stand at the corner of a wall and just peek enough for him to see my eye, and when i would hide my eye he would come creepin up until he could see it again. Once he would get all the way to me by my manouvering around walls and such he would punce a bit and run off to take the hiding role.

He had an unbelievable strength to survive in my eyes as well. He survived an apartment fire we had in June of 2005. I remember going into the apartment after the fire was put out and realising that I may have lost both cats. The second trip through along with my wife I discovered that Chookie did in fact die, but at the same time I discovered her heard the meow of Hisser form under our soaked bed. He was having a hard time breathing but with oxygen eventually regained strength. Hisser has been with this family for a little over 9 years and grew up with my son whos 11 now, and has left us this morning. He was a member of this family in our eyes and left us with many happy memories.

Greg from TX

Hi Mark

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite last night. What a wonderful book. I have lost several dogs over the years – most recently this past August. Each loss is different and it just drops the bottom out of your world. In October we adopted a dog from one of the rescue groups here in Wichita. We named him Wiley, he is an Australian Shepherd. He has been a wonderful companion to our 11 year old dog Sara. She is a Lab/Aussie mix. They became great pals witin days. He is probably about 5 years old. I canot imagine my life without a dog or 2 in it. The comfort and love is the best.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I attend a grief support group for pet loss here and it really helps to share your feelings with others who know what you are going through.

Pati from KS

I don’t have a dog. My wife’s family does though, a Daschund.

My father in law, a dog lover, once said to me “What’s dog spelled backwards? That’s why we have to love even the littlest of creatures.”

Best line I’ve ever heard in my life.

Keith from NY

Mark,

I just spent a wonderful couple of hours reading “Rescuing Sprite.” Thank you for sharing. My two shelties thought I was nuts as i sat reading: first laughing; then crying unashamedly.

My father always told me we were related to a Senator Vest from Missouri who wrote a “Tribute to the Dog” and used it at trial in his early court days. I’m proud to share it with you:

George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, but when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest – c. 1855

Lanny from TX

I am crying as I write this.

Bucky was 17 when we had to put him to sleep. He was a beautiful yellow lab. He was the lone survivor of 13. He was born early on a freezing cold night when the litter was unnexpected. We should have known then how special he was. He was with us through marraige and the birth of our two children. We kept him alive too long because we were so selfish. He brought great joy to all of us, and taught us to love deeply. Your book is a great reminder of that love. Thank you for sharing your pain with us. I know how hard it must be for you. Because of Sprite, many dogs will also feel that love. He fullfilled his great purpose during his too brief stay with you.

Crying in GA