Fred (black) and Frank (brown) are very special dogs to my wife and I. Fred came into our lives when I was 15 and just starting to date Tracy. My parents adopted him and he became my best buddy. Fred would always be waiting at the door for me when I got home, no matter how late is was. There was always a spot on my bed for my buddy. When I moved away to college and was only home on the weekends, Tracy adopted Frank to keep her company. When I came home to visit, both of the dogs would be waiting for me and loved having me home.

After graduating college, I decided to answer the call and join the US Army. Frank dealt with it very well. Fred, however, went into depression and stopped eating for a week. He eventually bounced back though. In March of 2007, Tracy and I finally got married after a 9 year relationship. Both dogs were happy to have me home for two weeks. Leaving home for Ft. Bragg two weeks later was the hardest day of my life. I think that Fred knew I would not be coming home for a very long time. One month later I would be in Bagram, Afghanistan. Since leaving, Frank has kept Tracy company and been very loving to her. He is doing a good job. Fred has developed a heart condition that no vet can seem to figure out. I often wonder if he feels that I abandoned him. He holds on yet today, but I fear that his time is short. God willing, he will still be there when I return home in April. I can’t help but feel that my buddy Fred is an unsung casualty of the war, a good dog whose heart was broken when he watched his best friend go off to fight. I hope I am not right.

Adam from NC

Hi Mark. I lost both my parents in two years. My English Setter Fergie seemed so depressed this year. She is 10. I got a marternal instinct and against advice I started going to the English Setter Rescue Sites.After 3 months with ACES Another CHance for English Setters I settled on Dexter a 9 year old from Louisville Ky. I flew my dog groomer down, against the advice of the foster moms (he was wary of strange men) etc. We drove him home to Detroit. He has become a mush pod like a beanbag chair, Fergie is like a three year old again, I have to resort to the sofa since they took over the bed most nights. They love the dog sitter who watches movies with them and have popcorn. The best part is every night when I bathe, Dexter stands by the bathtub till he gets his face , ears and front paws washed, now Fergie wants it too. I have two very happy Senior dogs….Penny Detroit
ACES Another Chance for English Setters By the way no one will sit in the back seat!!! It’s a zoo. I love it.Another chance for me to love too.

Penny from MI

Thank you Mark, for providing a venue to let go of my pain. It has been a little over 7 months since I have lost Skidboot and it still hurts so bad. Everyone seems to believe he was only part of the public team, but at home, he was still my puppy. He was 14 years old, so yes, I knew it was coming. He was blind and that was not a problem. He could still manage to get to where he wanted to go. He could still find me in my office or the bedroom. Two weeks before I lost him, I had a serious injury. When I came home from the hospital, the cast had to be completely inspected. After that, he stayed by my side. I will never forget him and there will never be another like him. This picture is Skidboot letting me know it was time to stop working and time to play.

Barbara in TX

This is my little buddy Dusty and true trucker. I’m an over the road truck driver and Dusty has has been riding with me for 10 years now. 8 1/2 years ago, my wife was killed in a home invasion. I don’t know what I would have done without Dusty. He was there during my grief and always seemed to know when the bottom was about to fall out. Now that he’s getting older, the thought of losing him is unbearable. These furry little angels tug at our hearts when they’re with us and break our hearts when they leave.

Bob from PA

‘ve been listening to your dialog about Sprite for past couple of nights. I too rescued my dog. However, this evening I heard one of your listeners call in and was intrigued by their story of their dog named Ruby (a Rottweiler). What’s curious and strange to me is I too have a dog I rescued a couple of months ago named Ruby (a 2 year old Rottweiler). Even more strange is I adopted her to fill the void of losing my previous beloved dog who also was named Ruby (a rescued Rottweiler). Everyone at work thought it was kismet that I located a another Ruby (Rottweiler) to rescue after losing my first one. I was just wondering how many Ruby “Rottweilers” are out there! We’re still getting to know our current Ruby who we fondly call Ruby Duex [as she is the second]. There isn’t enough time or paper to describe my first Ruby who was my constant companion while my husband was deployed for 2 years to Iraq. My husband is still active duty (and now back with us from Iraq) and I’m retired military. Ruby was the greatest God send ever. I would have gone crazy without her. I hope the other gentlemen’s Ruby “Rottweiler” is just as sweet and wonderful – which I’m sure she is. Continue to challenge us with thoughful topics so we can make an educated and informed decision on the impending election. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Christine from VA

I just put my Penney down on 9-27-07. I’ve had a very hard time with her gone. I thought I was odd for missing her so much. I got her as a puppy 16 years ago. Sometimes I think the hurt from missing her will never go away. We had a glass table in the kitchen and when we would eat I would see those little eyes looking up at me saying may I have a bite. I find myself looking on the floor at night to see if she is ok. I put her sister down in 2004 and said I would never do that again, but Penney was not doing very good and I didn’t want her to suffer. The day I took her into the vet I held her after the shot was given. She lifted her head and a tear rolled off her face and fell into the pocket of my shirt. She put her head down and went to sleep. I miss my two girls very much. They were my best friends. My daughter ask what I wanted for Christmas and I printed the page off of amazon for her and told her I wanted your book. I’m looking forward to reading your book. Maybe it will hellp me get though this rough time.
Thank you for listening.

Brenda from Ohio