I want to thank you all for your kind words for Sparky. As you are aware, it can take some time from nomination as "Dog of the Day" until the actual posting, and I'm sorry to report that Sparky crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 30, 2002. Sparky had valiantly battled cancer, never complaining, even when the vet took blood. Though the disease was making him weaker and weaker, each day he would still go visit the neighbors and always had a lively greeting for us or whomever came to the door. Sometimes, people would be so surprised by his lively greeting and say "I thought you said Sparky was sick!" Towards the end, it was becoming more and more difficult for Sparky to breathe, and we finally had to make the heart wrenching decision to let go.
There is now a major emptiness in our house and in our hearts, and seeing him honored today was a comfort. I just wanted to say thank you from Sparky, he would have loved all of the attention.

Sparky's mom