I just finished reading your book in 2 1/2 hours while my 17 yr. old retriever mix, Josh slept at my side. I cried like a baby! Josh is still going but has had a few health problems lately so I know the time is nearing when I’ll have to say good-bye.

Your book has helped me to accept that moment and hopefully deal with it with strength, love and grace. God Bless you and your family, Mark…and God Bless Sprite. His spirit lives on and continues to touch lives he never even knew. He certainly touched ours. I feel like I knew him…and I see alot of Sprite in Josh as Josh grows older. Thank you again…you gave us dog lovers a beautiful gift by sharing your story with us.

Jim from IL

We put our rescued suzie, bichon frise,to sleep on friday dec. 14.  I found rescuing sprite as it was in barnes and noble tryin gto find a journal to chronicle suzie’s life. We had her for 11.5 yrs. She had health problems a lot like sprite did, but was joyous and fun.

Many thanks,

Lynn from PA

I purchased Grizzly as a 4 month old full blooded Rotty back in 1994 from a pet shop in Illinois.
He was bought to help me get over a fear of Rottwieller’s that I had. I was attacked by a Rotty in the 80’s and thus began my fear.

Grizzly from the very beginning claimed me as his. I raised him for the first 5 years of his life in a tractor trailer, and he was the ultimate alarm system. Many happy stories about having him in the truck, and also many sad stories.
Within the first year of his life in the truck Grizzly had come down with 3 viral infections that left his bowels in a terrible state. I almost lost him 2 times, and I had to hospitalize him in whatever state we were travelling in at the time. I was afraid that I was going to have to put him down.

God was with Grizzly and I, and we were able to continue our life as a family for several years. He did so many of the usual dog things like tangle with skunks and other wildlife, and he usually ended up with the worst side of the confrontations. Read the rest of this entry »

i had gotten a shih tzu named gizmo when he was 6 weeks olds in 1990 he weigh 3 lbs 2 ozs a little guy he was the love of my life besides my 2 sons and husband.he was such a joy.he died in my arms on feb 4th 2005 he was 15 yrs old and he suffered a stroke he couldnot eat or drink he fought to live but i prayed to God to please take him because i could not do it myself to take him to the vet.i carried that dog every where i went and and God answered my prayer

Gizmo died in my arms he took his last breath in my arms 3 days after he had the stroke.my heart broke i cried and nothing matter to me.he was my baby i would come home from work and cook him hotdogs and eggs at 2 am.and he loved to take walks he would wait for me.hes buried in my backyard under his dogs house.i have angels surrounding it with a cross. i have gotten another dog the same kind a shih tzu and his name is also gizmo and he helpled heal my broken heart.

So yes dogs love us no matter what.i know one day i will be with him again when i cross over that rainbow bridge where he waits for me he will meet me there.God love you Mark for letting us express our pain in our hearts.thank you

Lynda from OH

I baby sat my sons girlfriends Boston terrier for a week an really enjoyed his personality. When she took him back I was surprising sad. I told my husband I wish I could have me a little baby one like him that I could teach everything to. I looked online, so cute, so far away and so expensive. A few days later I went to my local pet store for a betta for the bathroom and there in the cage was a 3 month old unnamed Boston terrier baby boy. Our eyes met and Jamaican love music began to play(kidding) I asked if I could hold him. He bit me and drew blood with teeth just starting to come in, he was uncontrollable and full of energy! He had been there for 6 weeks and was marked down from $599 to $399, but money was an issue. I reluctantly put him back and thought of him for days.I had to see him- I went back to visit- he remembered me! I stayed and played for an hour. Went home and told my hubby about him.

Unfortunately we are caught up in this foreclosure crisis- on our humble little abode, and every penny counts. We have a 7 year old Australian cattle dog named tbone too. How would he react to a new pup? I called the owner and asked if I could let him stay with us for a week, to see if he fit in- I mean it was like an adoption. He said he never did it before, but for some reason. YES. Tbone hated him and he ran me ragged, then it was time to make a decision. Read the rest of this entry »

I feel compelled to write after just finishing reading Rescuing Sprite. I had to put one of my pets – Bailey – to sleep after he began suffering from kidney failure. He was quickly going down hill, and losing weight. He was getting weaker by the day. One afternoon, he tried to jump up on our couch. He only made it about halfway up, and fell back down onto the floor and just laid there exhausted. My heart started breaking and I knew it was time. I took him to the Veteranarian’s office, and as soon as the Dr. looked at him, he agreed with me that it was time. I stayed with him in the examination room and held him for a few more minutes.

When I finally nodded for the Dr. to go ahead, she administered the injection, and Bailey raised his head in my direction, looked at me with a most peaceful, relaxed look in his eyes, as if to say ‘thank you.’ He’s now resting peacefully. It was not at all like what I expected. It was the most humane thing I have ever done. It was very peaceful, and I am thankful I went with him into the examination room to be with him in his last moments with us. He is sorely missed. I certainly hope an extra measure of comfort comes the way of all those who are grieving the loss of their animals this Holiday Season.

Mike from TN