This is the story of my dog Mac, who died saving the life of my mother in July 2004.
Growing up on a small family farm, in rual central texas, dogs were always a big part of my life. We had several, and I was taught as a child to always love dogs. As my father said, ” A dog that is loved, will love you in return, and be willing to die to protect you.” But at the same time, I was taught that like all other animals, dogs had a job to do, and their job was to protect us.

We worked out doors a lot, in an area infested with bobcats, racoons, cyottes, and snakes. All of these animals can be dangerous, especially when they carry rabbies. Anytime we were outdoors, we always had the dogs around for their ability to detect danger before us. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m a big fan Great One. Congrats on the success with your book. I am listening to your show (downloaded) right now with your newest fan, Violet the puppy. Take care.

Brian from NH

I just read your great book. What a great story. First I lost my Fred and then Got Maggie Mae to keep Barney busy. Fred and Barney I got together as puppies we got them at the shelter .My husband said you can have one , but we have to think it over night,well by the time I nagged so much he said if you shut the hell up you can have them both.Next day I went home with my (boy`s) Well guess what Fred turned out to be a girl.But the name stayed.It was alway`s a funny story to tell .Bless there heart`s there fishing with Grandpa Don in heaven.We miss them Maggie Mae miss`s Barney .But Maggie has us and the grandkid`s oh yes Mark she is a girl.I read your book and could feel your pain.Love and hug`s to you your wife and kid`s.

Sharon from TX

Our pound puppy, which had been left tied to the cyclone fence around the facility, turned out to be an Australian Shepherd. I could go on & on about what an excellent dog he is.

However, the most amazing thing he does, is quietly move out of our way when we’re walking around the dark house at night. He knows we can’t see him without light. During the day, or when the lights are on, he stays put. Read the rest of this entry »

Mark, it has taken me awhile to muster the courage to write one of my stories.
In 1993, my first wife informed me that she wanted a divorce. At the time, my two boys were ages 4 and 2. Aside from the pain of the divorce, the awful truth was that I would soon have my boys wrenched from me. I was finishing up school at the time, and after graduation my career choice required me to move to San Jose for my internship.

The thought of being alone in a strange, new place was not very comforting. Since I couldn’t have my boys with me, I decided to take our cat, Cocoa-Puff. She was a beautiful, long-haired Calico with chocolate, white and caramel colored fur. She was very affectionate.

I moved into a studio apartment in San Jose and began my internship and the rigors of a bustling city. I was very alone and missed my boys terribly. But at least I had Cocoa. She was the one remaining link to my boys that I had and she made me smile every night when I came home. Holding her brought me wonderful thoughts of my two boys and how they adored her. Read the rest of this entry »

I have had golden retrivers all my adult life and always thought them to be as near an ideal dog as it was possible to have. In fact, I never even considered the possiblility of having any other breed until a little ball of black and white fur presented herself to me one very cold, rainy November afternoon. T-Max was about ten weeks old when she crawled out from under my truck and attached herself to my leg. Never being able to decline the invitation of a dogs beautiful brown eyes and sweet puppy breath she quickly became a part of our family and forever embedded in our hearts.

She is by far the most active dog I had ever known to that point. (she has since been eclipsed by EmmaJune, a border collie-something mix). This sweet natured little border collie wore a path in the carpet in our hallway, through the carpet, through the pad and into the floor beneath. Her obsession with tennis balls, really anything that is round and might be a ball, including tomatoes, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs etc make her a great playmate. Read the rest of this entry »