Mark – I am half way thru your book about Sprite and I can’t quit crying. I, too, rescued a dog from the SPCA in 1988, a week after my mom died. Bud, a Cocker Sheltie mix, was around 2 yrs old when he came to live with me. In the 17 yrs. that he was with me, I got married, got divorced and was forced to be on my own for the first time in my life. It would have been a lot harder if I had not had Bud to keep me going. At 10 yrs of age, he was diagnosed with a type of Lymphoma. The vet said he would need surgery to remove some tumors that if not removed, would eventually prohibit him from walking, as they were between his front legs and chest. I didn’t even think twice about it. 10 surgeries and a load of credit card debt later, a new tumor had formed on his groin area and the vet told me this one would be inoperable. He told me I could put him down at that time or wait until he got worse. I wasn’t ready to hear this news. Only a couple of days went by after that vet visit, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. He was at the point where he didn’t want to be touched or held or even have his belly rubbed. I took him that day to be put to sleep and will never forget how peaceful he looked as he died. That was the hardest day of my life but I will never forget him as long as I live. He was the best friend a person could have asked for.

Diann from PA

Mark:

Listening to your show I feel a kinship with you philosophically. But now we share the loss of a beloved pet. This morning I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life; to put down one of my cats that we have had for the last twelve years. Kelly, was a very sweet calico, over the weekend the condition which led to this decision took a dramatic turn for the worse. So this morning we lost our beloved “little girl” , at my wife’s request I buried her in our front yard under our bedroom window, Shew was mcuh loved and will be gratly missed.

Skip from MD

Hey Mark,
Got through to you twice. Big listener/fan. The third time ,was to respond to “Rescuing Sprite”. They wouldn’t put me through, because I said I didn’t know if I could read your book.
My heartache, isn’t about an “older” dog.

This was my first dog, a Japanese Chin, name Sake. (we may have something in common here, with names). Anyway, she never made it to her 2nd birthday. I could go on with details, trips doctors, vets, medicines etc….
She was beautiful, ( as all animals are), 17 lbs, long hair and the cutest face. I will never forgot her and my heart breaks to this day. The minute I started reading your book,the tears started.
I couldn’t let her go. You DID the right thing. I believe I was selfish, because how could this be happening.I was Sake mother and had to do everything possible for her.Like any mother, right?. Sake was so young, she was a baby.Even when the doctors said “let her go”. I couldn’t accept it.
Until, Sake finally said so.
So I did………………..

I guess, no matter, how old or how young, (2 years, either way) the pain, grief, sorry, will be there.
It’s been three years, I’m crying now, but you know what. My boyfriend and daughter, (probably like Kandell) introduced me to Roxie. part Puggle and Beaggle. Love her!!!!
Thank you Mark, for your book. It’s helped me.
Still crying, sniffing, but I don’t feel alone.
love your book and Sprite. hope they’re playing “tug-o-war”

Katherine from NY

We rescued a female mini schanuzer named Courtney. When we first met her, she was the only female mini out of half a dozen rambunctious males all jumping up on us, trying to get attention. She sat quietly in the corner, looking a little sad, as if to say “please take me away from here.” Her original owners got divorced and where each of them went they weren’t allowed to have a dog. So we adopted her. She was a quiet, stately dog. We called her our little Librarian, because she was quiet – except when something wasn’t right. For a small dog, she had a big, deep bark and for our safety, she could put a little snarl in with the bark. She backed-up a few strangers with it, but otherwise, was a joy. In her second year with us, she developed diabetes and we had to give her daily shots. She lasted another 2 years and 3 months and died on Dec. 1, 2006 in the morning. She had lost a lot of weight, but was happy to the end. The last night before she died, we were all together and she sat on our laps and gave us a little lick. She was a quiet and lovely little dog. Reserved her affection for only her pack members, and watched over us as we slept. We miss her very much. This phot deosn’t really do her justice but she knew her picture was bing taken and there’s a glint in her eye.

Pam from OR

I just finished Rescuing Sprite … a wonderful and heart-felt story about a bond between pet and man. I’m more of a cat person … we found “Samantha” when we were stationed near Frankfurt Germany … as the kids grew up, she watched over them as if they were her kittens and waited for them to come home from school and never considered herself a cat. She was a black cat and in form, she passed away (16 years old) in our bedroom at midnight on a Friday the 13th. Like you, I was torn with having her put down. The vet was a co-worker and recommended a 50cc bolus of Ringers Lactate every few days to extend her life. She did not like getting poked with a large bore needle and we just let time run its course … she did not appear to be in pain, but the night she died, I held her wrapped in a blanket, listening to her purr. I packed her on ice and drove her from Pope AFB in NC to Edisto Island SC to bury her in our yard … where she loved to sit and watch the world go by. As you mentioned about Sprite … and hearing him breath from time to time, I often see her out of the corner of my eye … then I look and no one is there. We have rescued another black cat since then and recently, a tortoise shell tabby adopted our family and promptly had 3 beautiful orange-tabby kittens … homes were found for 2 and we kept the Mom and 3d kitten. All have been spayed/neutered and have great homes and are enjoying their new family.

All pets are special .. for the unconditional love they provide and the joy they bring to a family.

Best of everything with your pets and the success of your book.

V/R

Col Charlie Tupper from SC
USAF

I loved Sprites story. We are huge animal lovers and have had the three dog show going for many years now. Our first “Socks” the border collie is still with us at 12 yrs old, “Beethoven” the black lab passed at 15 yrs from heart problems and our beloved “Nixon” the golden retreiver passed at 10 yrs from cancer. His death last year was very hard because we did not have time to let it all sink in. After beefy ( for short) passed we were not going to get any more pets and I got a call, my cousin was driving home from Atlanta and saved a little guy on 65 dodging Semi’s crossing six lanes of traffic. We have had Emet ( Eight Miles from Elizabeth Town) for 4 yrs now. Opal came to live with us several weeks after Nixon died. I found a Golden who needed a home on Petfinder and called. Well long story short, the foster family decided to keep him but the animal control officer who runs the rescue had a lab a something who she had adopted out once needing a home ASAP. We could not say no. So life goes on with the three dog show. Some think we are crazy. All of our animals have been unwanted by someone else. We love them so much and in return we get loved each and everyday.

Many people have asked how we named our original “Three”. Democrat, Independent and Republican. Of course this trend has ended.

Lori from KY