Cotton was my best friend. She was a Yellow Lab that we got when she was a puppy for our daughter who was then 11 years old. However, she quickly became “Dad’s Dog.” We lost her in 2004 at almost 15 wonderful years of age of a stroke. Cotton moved into our family after we lost another lab mix that we found on a beach in Ocean City, Md. I thought when Saltwater died that I would never again get attached emotionally to another dog. It took Cotton at least an hour to capture my heart. When we lost her I swore again that I would never let this pain happen to me again: we now have two little stray dogs that have joined our family, and although they are my wife’s dogs, I love them dearly. God truly blessed humans when he gave us dogs to love–and to be loved by.

Jack from NC

Dogs have always been a big part of my wife’s and my life. We have seven dogs of our own, and have been a foster home for numberous rescue groups, as well as taking in rescues ourselves. But, rescuing can be very stressful emotionally to see the condition of some of the dogs that have come into our house, and to know the stories of these dogs. We have lost a rescue here and there that were just too far gone for us to save, though we tried everything we could. We have rescued dogs that were strays wondering around, dogs that were confiscated from drug houses and abused, dogs left tied to a tree in a back yard after the dog’s owners moved away. We have seen cruelty against animals that just seems to have no ends. If you would like to see the dogs that we have fostered, and helped to find them homes, you can visit http://www.goldenretrievernut.us/ and go to the top of the page to the drop down box called foster friends. Our new website for our kennel is http://www.flatcoat.net/
The picture is of our seven. If you go to both websites, you’ll notice that Taylor was one of our foster dogs that we couldn’t bear to let leave.

Kevin from SC

Sammy was my buddy. He was like a younger brother to me. My parents and I adopted him when I was 4yrs. Up until March of 2006, he was the most loving dog. I do not remember much of when I was a young kid but I do remember the day we adopted him from our local SPCA shelter. I had been begging my parents for a dog and when they agreed, they were hoping to find a small dog to fit into our small house.

My dad had a friend at the shelter and she called when they received Sammy. We went in and he was in a cage that was next to a Golden Retriever. He was hiding in the back of the cage – very nervous – and was not barking at all. I pointed to him and I named him Sammy. He was such a joy and was always there for me and my parents as well. He taught me responsibility. When I would cry, he would come over and kiss me. When someone in the house was sick, he would be with them making sure they were feeling better.

In his later years, he went through a lot – getting a tooth pulled and an ultrasound done. We, in turn, were there for him. I remember when we discovered he had some kidney problems. He had to get an ultrasound done and he was shaking so hard because he was so nervous. I kneeled down to his face level and was just petting him on his forehead and talking to him.

The day that was the saddest was when my parents and I took him to the vet to put him down. He was 16yrs old and was in so much pain and was just so weak. He was always a fighter and when he was injected, he gave out one last cry. This was the first time I saw my dad cry. We all hugged each other as the vet took him in the back to close his eyes. He brought him back so we could say our final goodbyes. We didn’t think after that moment we could get another dog, but in March of 2007, we adopted a brother and sister chihuahua mix – Nellie and Zoro. They have brought back the joy we had with Sammy and we will never forget him.

Kristin from NY

Thank you Mark for writing this book about you and Sprite. I have worked in a animal SHelter for 18 years and see the heart break daily when some one loses their pets. It has been a need to have a book like yours to refer people to for help in coping. I know this will help thousands. and thanks for the help to all the shelter animals. I know that all the sacrifice of working in a shelter is worth it every day and only hope you too can feel the love from your sacrifice.

Terry from KY

Thank you for your book about RESCUING SPRITE. I just learned that my grand dog Jewel has kidney disease. I read your book on the day I received the information. We know nothing more, but your book helped me.
Jewel is a jewel of a dog. She was brought into my daughter’s vet. office in labor. She had 8 half decayed babies inside her. My daughter brought her to our house to recuperate, and my other daughter adopted her eventually. She was malnoursihed, afraid of metal in your hand eg. spatula, and had obvioulsy been beaten. She was 10 lbs underweight, no hair on nose, chest or ears due to severe malnutrition. She is a small dog and is part pit bull. She loves everyone and every animal and does not have a mean bone in her body. She is also almost the spitting image of our pure bred pit bull Diamond, my favortie dog of all time, and now deceased, but Jewel is only 1/3 the size, a permanent puppy.

Before her operation a year or so ago for cancer on one leg and a tear on the other leg, she loved to play ball 24 hours a day. She will put the ball back into your hand. Anyway she is another specia,l special dog. She has just started playing ball again, I have no idea what will happen because we are waiting for the results of other tests, but I am going to enjoy every single second I have left with her. That is what your book taught me.

Thank you again for the book

Cecelia from CA

Mark, There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.Just this side of The Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies. the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. But,there is one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twiched, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to part again. Your face is kissed again and again and again, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet, long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never to be separated.

Mark, I am a Truck driver and we all listen to you every night. I also had to put down my beloved Germen Sheppard Jake. I miss him very much. Once your book arrived I stayed up all night and never put it down (only to wipe away tears) until I read the whole book. I am now looking again, for that special dog. I know he’s out there and will show up soon. Good luck, thanks for the great story. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Randy from WI