About 8 weeks ago I lost my beloved and loyal 11 year old Akita Montana. I had Montana since he was 6 months old. He was always the picture of health till one day when I arrived home from work. He did not come out of his doggy dog to greet me on the driveway and stand there with tail wagging and voice howling “where have you been all day”. I was quite concerned and rushed to the door only to see him trying to get up to come to me. I called to him and as he came to me, he collapsed on the floor. Needless to say I was hysterical but I could see he was still breathing and was trying desparately to open his eyes to let me know he heard me. I was able to get help and take him to the Emergency Animal Hospital where many tests were done-only to find that Montana had a tumor on his heart that was in-operable. He underwent a pericardial window which would allow blood to drain away from his heart and ease his breathing. He survived this procedure and was resting comfortably.

About 2 hours after talking to the cardiologist I was called and told that Montana was in cardiac arrest. The doctors had been working on him for sometime but things were not going well. I told them to please let him go. I went down to the animal hospital where he was They brought him to me so I could tell him that I loved him and I was so sorry that this had to happen to us. He was beautiful and peaceful-he had struggled for almost 6 days to breath. I loved this dog with my whole heart. The grieving period has been a tough one. I sit at my desk every day and look at his picture. I miss his happy howl and our after work walks. There will never be another Montana.

To Mark–My dear friend is an avid fan of yours. He went to your book signing and bought me your book-he was hoping it would help me through this difficult time. Your book was a wonderful read-it made me smile and then cry for your loss and for mine. I know today (9/7/07) is a tough day for you and your family and my thoughts are with you all.

Barbara from NY

It’s me again. Don’t know if you received my letter some weeks ago, but anyway I read your book, and I felt your story could have been me and my cat, it described so accurately all the emotions etc.. Anyway it’s an awesome book, and because of your courage to write the book, I feel as if somehow I have another piece to hold on to my cat Snowy. Don’t know if that makes any sense, but if someone wanted to take that book away from me now, I’d feel like they were takin part of Snowy away. Probably sounds weird. Anyway I’m remembering you and your family today very much cuz it’s exactly 1 year since you had to say good-bye to Sprite. All the best wishes for you all. It is also exactly 6 months today since I had to give Snowy up. Only after I was all done reading your book, did I realize that my cat died exactly 6 months to the day later than your dog. On the one hand it of course means nothing, but on the other hand it just touched me even deeper, reading your book. I’m again not at my house so, again I don’t have a picture to send from my cat, who was totally white. Well, I won’t hold you up, just wanted to let you know I remember your special day, and I’m wondering; are you doing anything special, kind of like a memorial day, or what if anything are you doing or do you think those kind of things help to cope with the loss? I visit Snowy’s grave everyday. My childhood history most people think I’m nuts that I loved my cat so much. Anyway I said I wouldn’t keep you, so all the best.

Hilda from Ontario

Dear Mark: Your book on Sprite was absolutely amazing and beautiful!!! God bless you, your family and all of God’s amazing creatures!!! Sprite knew he was very very very well loved….thank you for loving him!!!

Janie from NE

The eastern sky was rimmed in orange as I pulled the truck into the pasture. I could barely make out the silouette of the old windmill down by the pond. I could hear the squeaky sound as the fan rotated slowly in the breeze. A multitude of sounds were present, a yip of a distant coyote, the soft mooing of a cow calling her calf. The ever present call of the bobwhite quail.

My companion this morning and for hundreds of other mornings just like this, was my beloved 12 year old English Setter…Katie. Normally, bouncing all over the cab of the truck, this morning she was snoring peacefully next to me, oblivious to our favorite hunting spot. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a year now since you’ve lost your beloved Sprite. Rest assured he’s in doggie heaven waiting for the day when you will be with him again. I know that day was hard for you for our dogs trust us with thier very lives. I feel thogh if Sprite could have spoken to you he made of said something like this:

When the Time Comes…

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this—the last battle—can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must pass the test.

We have had some very happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes,
Please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close—we two—these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Mark, your the best, thank you for writing this book.

Alex from TX

I am writing on this day that marks one year of Sprite’s passing. Know that my thoughts are with you. We lost our dalmation “Drexel” of 14 years on October 14, 2007. We had him since the age of 8 weeks. It is a great loss and I feel a deep void. A friend of ours gave us your book. Though at times I had to put it down because it was heartbreaking, It also helped me to recall some wonderful memories.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Julie from OH