When I was young, my father brought home a dalmatian we named Sparky. He was a full grown dog that had escaped from the Dallas Police. In those days (back in the ’60s), the Dallas Police would bring shelter dogs that were slated for destruction out to the firing range for moving target practice. Sparky had managed to elude the police and was hiding in my father’s car in a nearby gravel pit. Dad had left the car windows open and Sparky had taken advantage of the opportunity. I remember Dad calling home and telling my mom that he had found a dog “for the kids”. Dad got Sparky a tag and the vet said he was probably a purebred. When I was nine, Sparky came down with distemper. Usually a dog would be put to sleep because there was no treatment for it. Dad didn’t accept this and called the family doctor. He said that there was something we could try and he called in a prescription for “Sparky Beeson”. He swore that if my father told anyone, he would deny it. Sparky recovered. He was the kind of dog that took protecting the family seriously and was good with the little kids. Both of my sisters grew up with Sparky. He allowed rides on his back and childish play with his ears. He kept a watchful eye on the baby to keep her from wandering off the yard. One time, my younger sister wandered away from Mom when she was down the street at a neighbor’s house. Sparky heard my mother’s voice and realized something was wrong. He went in search of her and found her in an empty lot. he stayed with her and barked until the adults came to take her home. Sparky died when I was a senoir in high school. He had become old and slowed down, but he was ever faithful to his job. We found him dead at the patio dorr, where he kept watch at night. Even after all these years, I still miss him.

Debra from TX

I just finished reading Rescuing Sprite today and cannot thank you enough for putting into words the way I too feel about dogs…especially shelter dogs. Eight years ago, my husband and I adopted our first dog Reggie, a mixed breed, from a local shelter. He was such an easygoing dog and he immediately became a family member (he has his own queen size bed!) Six years later, I found the website petfinder.com and located another dog (mixed breed) in foster care; he was rescued from a shelter in West Virginia. After six years with just one dog, I didn’t know how Reggie would take the addition of another dog into the family, but he accepted our newest member, Stanley, without much reservation. In fact, Stanley, I believe, has helped Reggie become even more active and playful. In May of this year, I found another mixed breed at the same shelter where we found Reggie and so, we adopted her too. After the two dogs, one more isn’t a big deal. Lucy has adapted well to her new family and it seems as if she has been here forever. I know there will be much sorrow when these blessed souls are no longer with us, but the love and joy they have brought us will be well worth it. God Bless you and your family for giving Sprite two wonderful years on Earth; so long as his memory lives, so does Sprite. We are truly the lucky ones for we have experienced the love of a dog, a love that is genuine and true. Your book will stay with me forever! Thank you for writing it!

Sincerely,
Michelle from PA

Lola is a five year old Rottweiler I adopted from the Mt. Vernon Animal Shelter (NY) when she was a year old. Most likely abandoned by her former owners, she had already had a litter. She’s smart, sweet, and devoted.

Stevan from NJ

Stanley is a three year old American Bull Dog. I found him at the Mt. Vernon Animal Shelter a few years after adopting Lola. He’s not the brightest dog, but he’s gentle, goofy, and has boundless energy, “Play some more, huh? huh?”

Here he is on the day of his arrival at his new home. A little confused, and very, very tired.

Mark – I admire your work for these wonderful animals more than I can say.

Stevan from NJ

I’m a VERY loyal listener to your radio show. This is not about me or my pet’s, a cat and an African Gray, although I must say, I have found new love and understanding for both since you started talking about rescuing sprite. No, this is about my brother, his wife and their 3 dogs. He has 2 pitbulls and one mixed, lab and something else, I don’t really know. All 3 dogs came from shelters in their area of South Jersey. The mixed is SATCH, named after one of the 3 stooges, MOXIE, and VELVETINE are the 2 pitbulls.

These are 3 of the most gentle loving dogs I have ever been around. About a year and a half ago, Velevtine was diagnosed with cancer, my brother and his wife had a decision to make, they decided to spend the money, and a lot of it, to treat Velvet. It was an emotional time for both of them, they don’t have children and these 3 dogs are their kids, there were lots of ups and downs for them during the chemotherapy process. Velvets cancer had gone into remission. About 3 weeks ago, on a routine doctor visit, they found the cancer has come back, I have not spoken to my brother about it, today is thanksgiving and we are going to his house, I’m sure it has been difficult for my brother and his wife, although I think they are going into this with a better understanding than they did when Velvet was initially diagnosed. I knew I was ordering your book for Christmas for my brother and his wife, I remembered yesterday that my brothers B-day is coming up in 2 weeks, so I ordered the signed book yesterday. I know the book will help them through this, I felt helpless in this. You have made it possible for me to do something that will help them.
While ordering the book on your website yesterday, I listened to the interview Rush had with you. Mark, You are truly blessed, you are working through so many people, helping them, I’m sure there are many of us who you will never hear from, but you have touched their lives or someone else they may know because of the book.
Now, I think your radio show is the best out there, in the beginning, when you were on locally, I would drive around on Saturdays during your show, laughing and enjoying you. Now, I laugh but your show has taken a turn for the BEST. Your passion has made a difference in my life, I have always been passionate about what I do, but you have given me a prouder understanding of that passion, for that I thank you. I thank you for being there for our troops, I thank you for your show, I thank you for your love of this great country, and I thank you for your personal love to your audience.

John from NJ

What a wonderful book! You are so right about only a dog lover could relate to your story. i cried, i laughed and shook my head and saying to myself i know what your saying. I also lost the love of my life,her name was lady and i miss her every single day. your book was so honest i held on to every word because thats exactly how i felt. i couldn’t have said it better.thank you so much for making feel

Gayle from CA