Mark,
after listening to your show for the past 3 weeks and hearing your callers writting about their stories I thought that I would do the same. I went with my mom to a kennel to pick out our pet a tea cup poodle. When I saw the dog we were going to get he looked like a button among a mass of fur. I called him buttons being a spoiled child my mom ended up taking care of button and was very attached. 9 years later I joined the military upon coming home from training my mother was found crying when she told me that button had gone to hide and was not himself I was told that we needed to take him to the vet. upon our arrival I ran around the car and grabbed button so my mother could get out of the car and realized that button had stopped breathing my mother extremely calm took the dog before I dropped him. the vet tried to revive him several times but button had been gone for several minutes we said our goodbyes and went home my mother had lost her best friend and sought out another avenue to find another she rescued a dog that had been severely neglected and abused she would visit the dog everyday until he was used to her he lives with her to this day 7 years later and she couldn’t be happier. I am going to buy your book as a Christmas gift to her so thank you for taking the time to write it if it is as good as your callers say it is I’m sure she will love it and it could help her when buddy passes.

Kira from WY

Mark I would like to share my story with you. I was never a cat person. One day My wife Nancy, & I were at a block long garage sale, when some of the children on the block were playing with a small cat. The children explained to us although they fed her & played with her she needed a home. Well, my wife fell in love with her & we rescued cinnamon from the streets of delaware to a home in n.j. Cinnamon must have known she would have to win me over & it didn’t take long at all. She would greet me whenever I came home from work, day or night. She would sit & wait till I was finished eating & then jump up on my lap.Cinnamon would lay on my stomach & rest her head on my chest & before you know it she would be purring & I would be snoring her paw in my hand This was 13years ago. My beloved little girl got sick& the vet said there wasn’t much she could do for her. I had to make the hardest decision in my life. To put my little girl to sleep. my wife & I were both there & I held her paw for the last time. My sorrow & grief led be to cry like a baby. She will be loved & remembered forever for the love & comfort she brought us.

Joe from NJ

Mark,

I haven’t taken the opportunity to read your book yet but I’ve listened to your show enough to feel a connection to your trials and tribulations.

15yrs ago my wife and I lost an infant boy, Nathaniel, to infection shortly after birth. It was a gut-wrenching experience. At the time we had a 2yr old girl. The despair we suffered through was awful. My wife’s strength came forth during that time as she recognized that our other child would need her more than ever during that time. Through her tears and sorrow she persevered. Read the rest of this entry »

Friends, This morning I said goodbye to my best friend of 11 years. His name is Bingo, and since I also live with his mother, I watched Bingo take his first breath, and today, his last. Even though Bingo was a neutered male, they are still subject to prostate cancer. Bingo was diagnosed and had prostate surgery on October 2. He was placed on a drug called Piroxicam to help fight off this disease, but to no avail. Last Sunday, he began to show signs of a resurgence of his cancer. His appetite declined but he drank a lot of water. In the next couple of days, he went from chasing tennis balls to lethargy and this morning immobility, as I had to carry him to the car. The vet said his prostate had swollen beyond his pelvic area and was prohibiting a movement. My story is: Get your male dog neutered as early as possible and love him every day. I thought I had had many more years with my buddy. Read the rest of this entry »

Our beloved dog Midnight was put to sleep after being with our family for 15 years. She was like a sibling and remains a cherished member of our family. I just wanted to thank you for writing that incredible book – it brought tears to my eyes and I plan to keep it so that my children can read it. God bless you and I wish you continued success with the book and with your show.

Christina from CA

Just finished Rescuing Sprite. Mark, God finds us in any number of ways, and generally we are humbled by the experience. I have heard you describing Sprite so many times, and when I read your book, I realized that God did come to you through Sprite. Sprite was not just any dog, he was you. You both are loving without reservations, and both of you had physical ailments. God meets us where we are, and he made you so vulnerable and helpless you prayed. I think what God was telling you was “Mark – you know how much you loved Sprite? I love you more”. Sprite was not in your lives for no reason. Take Rush’s suggestion and read The Case for Christ. Love your show, loved the book and love that God is tapping you on the shoulder. I pray for you, your health and your family.

My beloved dalmation, Shelley, was put to sleep when I was 16, and my father could not speak of her until the day he died without tearing up. She died 42 years ago, and we still talk about her with fond remembrance. They truly are members of our families and are forever sorely missed. Thanks for giving all of us the opportunity to meet and get to know Sprite and Pepsi – and more importantly you and your marvelous family.

Deborah from WA