The Sprite story has unleased a flood of emotion. After my divorce, the family dog got pretty sick. Sydney had stayed with my ex-wife and my sons. Anyway, I ended up being the one to tend to Sydney once she got sick. I took her to the vet to have her put down. It was way more traumatic than I could have imagined. The Vet put us in a room, and Sydney was on a table with me right by her. Her eyes looking at me as she was put down.. Very traumatic and upsetting. It still bothers me after 4 years. Those large brown eyes looking at me as she felll asleep.. Anyway, thanks Mark for sharing what you have shared. It means a lot.

Doug from TX

Just read your book Mark! Best book I’ve ever read. I don’t usually read books but it takes a special certain book to capture my attention and read it all. Your book has brought me closer to my dog. I shed tears, smiled, and laughed as it was quite emotional and heart-warming at the same time. I’ve never had to put an animal to sleep as I only had two dogs when I was very little and I think they ran off. Well, after so many years after wanting a dog, I finally decided it was time and went to a Pomeranian breeder to get Chloe. As my mother lie in the nursing home in a Terri Schiavo state from brain injury, I felt that getting a puppy would be excellent therapy for her which it was. Unfortunately my mother only lasted 2.5yrs and passed away. Chloe was a big part of my mother’s enjoyment as much as she could do with the little time she had. I could see in her eyes the joy Chloe brought her and will never forget how that affected her emotionally. Chloe is absolutely one of the friendliest dogs there are. She’s very outgoing and warms up to everyone she sees no matter who. I’m so thankful to have found her! No doubt your book has touched not only my life but everyone else’s who reads it. Thank you for all you do for this country, our troops, and your teachings to us to expand our learning knowledge base. You are truly an amazing person and I hope to meet you one day so you can sign my book and get a big hug! I’ve included a photo of my dog and the little kitten my Pa rescued in our garage. Shelby is now almost 3mos old and growing fast!

Julie from TX

Mark: I don’t have a dog but a 17 lb cat named Maxx. He arrived at my home on my doorstep fully domesticated and can’t imagine anyone pitching him out – 2 days after my ex handed my head on a silver platter with a divorce. Maxx is a mix of Siamese and ordinary breed and became my companion in the loneliest days of my life and still is. He’s only about 5 yrs old so he’ll be around for a while. I’m a retired airline pilot and live alone with Maxx and cannot comprehend losing him, but at age 69, he may outlive me! I have no family at all with no relatives. I bought two of your books on Sprite and I am forever greatful for your sharing your experiences with me. I also shed many a tear reading your book.

Dave from UT

Having listen to you on the radio from the very beginning, one gets the feeling that we know you, obviously, this can not be true. My wife and I read your book about Spritey and we knew instantly that we are truly kindred spirits. First, let me express my deep heartfelt condolences on your loss. I have not stopped feeling absolutely miserable for you since I finished the book. You touched a sensitive and raw nerve that I have managed to bury very deep for a very, very long time. Reading your book has brought back a flood of memories concerning the many dogs that we have personally owned and those that have been in our lives by proxy. Each and everyone of them has had their own personality and have touched our lives in their own special way.
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I, too, adopted a pet that was older than originally thought, although it was a cat(hope that’s ok). Her name was Buffy and she was the smallest adult cat I had ever seen! About two years after I adopted her, she began to have problems digesting food and started to lose weight. The vet did all kinds of bloodwork and thought Buffy had hyperthyroidism. I even took her to Cornell Veterinary School for further testing. The wonderful doctors there determined that was not the problem, but that it might be the beginnings of kidney disease. Needless to say, I spent the better part of the next three years trying to keep Buffy healthy. I even went so far as to take her twice a week, then later, three times a week for iv fluids to help flush out the poisins and to extend her life.
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I do not have a picture of my cat with me today, as I’m not at home right now, but just a short story about Snowy, my cat. I bought him when he was only about 6-8 weeks old, from a pet store for 30.00. He had a sore eye, when I bought him, so I actually had to leave him there, for a few days yet. Snowy was my first totally white cat in my life. I’ve had cats throughout my life. I was finally at a point where I wanted a totally white cat, though all cats, tall, short, whatever colour, a cat is a cat, and I love them all. When we got around to Snowy, it was kind of interesting. My husband, me and our only child at the time were walking through a mall, in a city we had just recently moved too. Everything was strange, and I didn’t know if there was a pet store in that mall, but I wanted to check out the whole mall before we left, so I kept asking my husband to justplease go around that one corner yet, in the mall. He finally gave in, and lo and behold there was a pet store.
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