Mark: I have just adopted a Chihuahua, approx 10 years old, with several health problems, including the onset of heart worms. Mutzski has now been fixed and lives in relative luxury with me. He’s about 70 years of age (dog years) and I’m 72. Two old fellows fulfilling voids in each others lives.

Steve from TX

My wife and I adopted Bailey in 1995 from the Milwaukee Humane Society. I chose him at the time, over many other cute puppies, because he was picked up as a wandering stray and had spent quite some time there. Bailey was with us for eleven years before we had to let go of him this past spring. He was big brother to Hercules our Rottweiler, and Jack our Golden Retreiver. Hercules grew up from a pup with Bailey being his pal. He was so depressed that we had a hard time getting him to eat when bailey passed on. He is nine and hasn’t been the same since.

Steve from WI

I was 35 when I brought home my very first dog… a beautiful little Yorkie who I named Stefán. From the beginning, Stefán had serious health problems… gastro-intestinal issues, allergies, etc. I’m not a wealthy person, so the cost of his doctor visits and hospital stays took a toll on me. However, I quickly realized that was the least of my worries! The thought of losing my baby boy was just overwhelming and I vowed to do whatever was necessary to make his life a good one. I’ve had to sacrifice here and there, but it’s been worth every last cent to come home to my Stefán every night. He loves me so unconditionally… he lives his life to please me. And therefore, I have decided to live my life to please him. It is by far the most rewarding decision I have ever made in my life. The bond between a dog and his owner is strong… stronger than most human relationships. I’ve learned that over the past seven years and I will never forget it. I’m lucky to still have Stefán with me and I think of Sprite often and the grief that Mark feels over his loss. I pray that one day I will be able to handle this issue in a manner as dignified as Mark has. Rescuing Sprite is a testament to that bond.

Marge from NY

Mark,
I had a little dog that looked just like Griffen without the black spots on the nose and ears. Her name was Tootie.

Tootie came to our family in a most unusual way. My wife and daughter(then age 2) were at a garage sale. The lady having the garage sale noticed her dog and my daughter had become instant friends. The lady asked my wife if it would be alright to give the dog to my daughter because she was moving to a place that did not allow pets and had been trying to find a good home for the little 2yr old dog. My wife, rather surprised, agreed to let my daughter take the dog. For the next 11 years, my daughter and Tootie grew up together. My daughter proudly called Tootie the “The Garage Sale Dog.” We had to put Tootie on the “Doggie Heaven Train” at age 13 due to many painful health problems that caused her much suffering.

Your book is so helpful to those of us who have had to go through the process of parting with a best friend.

Now, I would like to do something for you in return for you special gift to all of us. I have a gift for you. First I’ll explain how I came to create this gift that I want to give you.

In 1992 I came home and Tootie met me at the door with her usual excitement as if she had not seen me in weeks. I started thinking how much dogs love us. No matter if we forget to feed or water them, if we leave them outside to long or discipline them a little harshly. They always forgive us and give us every ounce of altruistic love in their little or large bodies. So I set down and wrote a song titled “Dogs Don’t Care If You’re Ugly.” I made a simple but quality studio recording of the song. I could tell you much more about the song but the song stands on its own merit. I will say the song will take any dog lover down memory lane with a few smiles along the way.

I would like to send you a CD of the song as a gift of thanks for your wonderful gift to so many. But I don’t know where to send it to make sure you will receive it. If you can send me an email with information as to how I can contact you or get the CD to you, I’ll get it in the mail ASAP.

Thank you once again for your wonderful gift to all us.

Harvey from OK

Dear Mark,

As a regular listener & a big fan of yours, I decided to contribute a few thoughts about our two wonderful dogs, Shadow & Kimba.

Shadow is a black labrador retriever. She is now 16 years, five months old. Kimba is a golden retriever. He will be 8 in February.

Over the past year, we have endured the following:

Kimba has had two major surgeries to remove cancerous tumors. He endured long, painful recoveries, which required taking a long cycle of Prednisone (a steroid). The medicine made him incontinent, and his kidneys now leak protein, which was likely caused by damage incurred from the Prednisone. It’s treatable with medication, but there’s no 100% guarantee that it won’t get worse over time. We are crossing our fingers and praying for the best.

Just two days after Kimba’s second cancer surgery in February, our beloved Shadow suffered a vistibular attack. This is a form of “Vertigo” that occurrs between the ear and the brain. It made her very sick. So sick that she couldn’t eat. Then she aspirated her vomit, which caused a severe pnemonia. It was treated with heavy antibiotics, but it still kept coming back. Read the rest of this entry »

On Wednesday, November 7 I drove to Missouri to visit relatives. My standard poodle Kobe was in the back seat, snoozing away. I listened to Rush’s broadcast and heard him talk about Mark’s book “Rescuing Sprite”. There’s a pad of paper in the car console that I keep for notes to myself, so I scribbled the book name to make sure I wouldn’t forget it.

My 12 year marriage is ending. I don’t want it to end, but it seems inevitable. I was finally telling extended relatives about the situation and knew parts of this trip were going to be difficult. In the last five months of separation from my husband, Kobe was the one thing that got me up off the couch. Early morning bike runs, afternoon walks, visits to the park, going on errands and drives in the country. Kobe was always there, always happy.

Kobe stayed at a kennel while I visited relatives. It’s a fine kennel, part doggy daycare and part kennel. He didn’t hesitate to walk away with the attendant when I dropped him off. I said the code phrase “Be a good boy”. That phrase means “I’ll be back for you”. Kobe didn’t just walk, everyone remarked on his dancing, bouncy step. That’s the last time I saw him, when he pranced away with the attendant.

On Saturday, November 10 I received a phone call that Kobe had developed bloat and died before he reached the veterinarian. I’m devastated. Kobe was alone in the kennel for only 1 ½ hours, but that was enough time for him to succumb to bloat when it developed. He was alone, and I wasn’t there when he needed me the most. It was a long drive home and dreadful to contact my husband and explain what happened. He loves Kobe too.

Days later, Marks’ book arrived from an online bookseller. As soon as I opened it I remembered it, but didn’t recall ordering it. It took me three times to look at the invoice before I realized my parents had sent it. Thank goodness for thoughtful parents, family & friends. I finished the book by the next morning.

The house has been so empty. Two rowdy cats don’t fill it. I’ve been waiting for Kobe’s ashes to arrive in the mail. Today is my husband’s birthday and I successfully resisted the urge to call him and talk. I returned from counseling tonight to find a box waiting on the front step. Kobe’s ashes have arrived home.

Robyn from IN