Sprite Posing
A great picture of Sprite…
Although Mark Levin is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster, he is, first and foremost, a dog lover. In 1998, he and his family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel they named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. They named him Sprite.
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October 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Sprite,
I feel as though I have known you all my life, I have heard so many wonderful things about you from your Dad. You were indeed a lucky dog to have experienced so much love during your short time with him and his family. I know how he must have felt losing you, because I, too lost many of my best friends, Baron, Caesar, Baron II, and Holly over the years, but the love we shared and the good times, too remain alive in my heart. Please bark hello to them when you see them on the other side of the rainbow bridge and tell them that I send my love.
Paul
October 24th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Sprite looks like such a nice, noble dog. When I find a scanned picture of my Duke I’ll be sure to post it, my friend. God bless you and your family, and I thank you for everything that you do. I can’t wait to read your book!
October 24th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Beautiful dogs! Picture of Sprite breaks my heart, knowing what you and the family went through putting Sprite down. I have cats and had to put one of my cats down due to her cancer. How heart wrenching that was! It was 8 years ago and I still think about her and the joy she brought into our lives! Our animals and pets ALL have such different personalities and souls, and are such a blessing in my eyes. Thank you for this site as there are millions of us animal lovers out there. God Bless all those who take in these animals and care for them in the shelters and their own homes. Please donate to the shelters.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
What treasure. My Tuey and you are running free now. Don’t worry about your daddy, we are taking good care of him. What a smile you have Sprite, so loved..so carefree..so full of life. Paw hugs my friend..Oh and give Tuey a kiss from her mom and dad, ok? Thanks..
October 29th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Mark, just know that all dogs do go to heaven, and know that your beloved Sprite is with God now and someday you and him will be reunited again. God bless you and your wonderful family, your loving wife and your fantastic pack of dogs.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Mark, I have the pleasure of listening to you as I commute home from work.
For the past two weeks, I have been piecing together fragments of conversations regarding the topic of your new book.
The first time I heard only a few sentences on the topic and was deeply touched by both your heart-felt sadness and vulnerability. Each subsequent time you discussed the book, you revealed your true self, confirming my initial gut-feeling that you are an honest and caring man. I thank your family for sharing your brilliance with your grateful fans.
Tonight was the first time I learned the name of your beloved dog and about the pet blog on your website.
I just had to see a photo of the dog that captured your heart. It’s easy to see why you were so smitten — she is stunningly beautiful, or is it handsome? I’m not certain if Sprite was male or female, regardless, it’s evident from the bright eyes and big smile that Sprite was a special dog.
I have dozens of my own dog stories, and perhaps one day I will share them with you. What I can do at this time is assure you that I will make haste to the book store to get a copy of your book. I just have to know more about that gorgeous dog, and the impact that she made on you, your family, and soon, your fans.
Regards,
Sherie De Franceschi
October 31st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Such a great pic!
November 1st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Absolutely beautiful dog, my sympathies for your loss. Just remember that he is always with you and always will be. I have lost 4 of my best friends over the years, but have not and will not ever forget the love, laughs, and life that each and every one of them gave me and my family. Until we meet again…Buff, Heidi, Mayze, and Molly. You are all in my heart forever.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:04 am
I am sitting here swiping mascara off of my face and looking down at my 14 year old dog sleeping at my feet. He is still chipper but I know what is around the next corner, with no warning, at his age. He was my touchstone through some of the hardest times of my life: two deaths in the immediate family and a divorce. I may honestly say that his earnest little face prevented me from making a very dumb decision…frankly, if I made a dumb decision, who would take care of this gift?
When I am ill, he gets ill. When I shut my door to occasionally cry, he raises hell until I let him in to be with me. He performs comedian performances when he senses my melancholy and I am not making this up or “anthropormorphizing”, hope I spelled that correctly. Sometimes it unnerves me.
He is losing his sight via cataracts and it kills me that I do not have the funds to take care of it but was advised not to do that at his age. He is starting to walk with a limp as he is old, yet, he is sunshine and will gallop through the backyard like a rocking-horse once he warms up in the mornings.
I looked at your pictures of Sprite and cried like a…dog-lover. Bosley is curled in my lap as I type this, looking at me sternly, as if to chide me for my foolishness and I swear I see pity in his velvet brown eyes that I had not learned anything from him in all of this time together.
He seems disapproving of this crying and I think I get it. He wants me to be happy and these waterworks seem to be upsetting to him. I also think he knows he is on the brink and is worried about what a wimp I will be in reaction.
I hope that I handle his passing with grace as I fear he will be miffed with me if I do otherwise.
I am hoping that he will haunt me so that I might glean an occasional look at the tilt of of his regal head and well-muscled little mini-dach body. He is like a miniature horse, the smallest package of beauty and grace in motion than I have ever witnesed.
Thank you for letting me embarrass myself.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:02 am
That big black nose is just looking to be squeezed.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
For you, Sweet Sprite ……… WE LOVE YOU !
Mark “Thank You” for sharing !!
After reading your book about your LOVE ……. we too feel JUST FELL IN LOVE with Sprite, as you !!
“Thank you” Sprite for being SUCH A HUGE part of your Daddy’s life, as WELL as ours !!
Mark …… MUCH LOVE, GOD BLESS TO YOU & TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!
Suzi & Hugh
November 6th, 2007 at 1:41 am
Dearest Mark~
.
I saw you on TV and I can see visibly how
Sprite’s death has impacted your very being.
Like you and many others posting~ I also know
the arrow that goes through your heart~~ when putting an animal down down.
I know what their eyes look like when they pass..that vacant look when they are gone.
I do cut hair and save it.
.
I also believe that animals can re-incarnate.
I thought I was nuts even to think that.
But Iknow a vet of international training and credentials who thinks this is so.
,
If the animal wants to come back to you~ they will.In similar form or another.
I have two cats in their third lives. All the rest chose not to return.
I am sure some posters will think I am nuts…
But the two I wanted the most always come back.
.
Vets can be great or mediocre.I have never given
up hope till the very last!
.
Our dogs and cats are connections to our inner
peace and who we are.
.
There are dogs and cats “alive” we can still bring into our hearts and homes when our best
friend is gone.
Providing love and care for a new addition to
a lonely animal is the best medicine I can think of.
I have had decades filled with angels in fur…
and I wanted to die with them~ such is the pain.
.
Have as many animals as you can afford…….I
think that is what God would like us to do.
Your times and life with them far outweigh the
last moments we have with them.
.
Love,
Pat and her cats LuveyIII and KelleyIII.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Hi Sprite,
You remind me of my Jaz. Thanks to you Mark for letting us tell our stories. I t has been most helpful
November 6th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
My Dad used to tell me that animals don’t have souls, but I’ve always known better. Sprite looks more soulful than any people I’ve known! Thanks for sharing his story, Mark. Can’t wait to meet him one day…
November 9th, 2007 at 7:43 am
I recently made the decision to put down my 18 1/2 year old dachshund. His health had been declining for some time, for the last two years requiring that he be carried down the steps when he needed (or wanted) to go outside.
One day when thinking what a friend he had been to me, I realized that in his current state I wasn’t necessarily being the best friend to him.
On the day it was decided to let him go, I held him in my arms at the vet’s office as an IV was started and the medication was administered. We were only separated from 8:30 that morning until I picked him up from the pet crematory at 1:00 that afternoon. I was only separated from my friend for a matter of hours and felt more at ease, if that was possible, to have him back home.
While he was being “prepared”, I created a memorial page on the internet. It isn’t professionally done, but it was very therapeutic for me. (http://web.mac.com/barry_wallace/Site/Remembering_Abraham.html)
This is the only pet I’ve ever had for this length of time. I fully understand the pain that you felt as Sprite’s health became more fragile. I know the emptiness and ache that you must feel in your heart. I’ve been told that the pain eases, but never completely goes away.
Thank you for sharing about Sprite in your book. I bought it on the day it came out at my local book store.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Mr Levin
God Bless you brother.
SSG Chavez Joseph
US.Army
Fort Bliss Tx
November 21st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
This is the PERFECT example of what a “Sprite” should look like! God bless ya’, little buddy…say hi to my Bridget if you see her around…
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 am
Mark, Sprite was delivered to your care for a special reason. I wish I could have the opportunity to tell you the story of sprite, You need to know why he was sent to you. I know that you know what all of us pet lovers know and that is that all animals are on this planet to teach us humans BEHAVIOR in the way of love and
all they want in return is to be a part of us.
But Sprite was put here for a special purpose and it is too lengthy to get it all in a limited space but I know that I will have an opportunity
at a later time to write you.,if you should so desire that to take place, I listen to your show as much as I can. I have a son that just got back from Iraq 4 months ago he flys Blackhawks
and before he left for Iraq he flew escort with seven others for Pesident Bush when President Bush would fly from his ranch to get to the president 1 aircraft I can tell you a little dog story that I know you would enjoy When my son was at the President’s ranch in Texas he would play horseshoes with Barney the presidents dog.
yes it’s a true story and maybe it’s not supposed to be known but Barney loves to chase after horseshoes and fetches them.
Blessings , Take care of yourself
you are needed to crryy on woth sprite’s work
Rev Robert Mariotti
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:22 am
Mark, Sprite was delivered to your care for a special reason. I wish I could have the opportunity to tell you the story of sprite, You need to know why he was sent to you. I know that you know what all of us pet lovers know and that is that all animals are on this planet to teach us humans BEHAVIOR in the way of love and
all they want in return is to be a part of us.
But Sprite was put here for a special purpose and it is too lengthy to get it all in a limited space but I know that I will have an opportunity
at a later time to write you.,if you should so desire that to take place, I listen to your show as much as I can. I have a son that just got back from Iraq 4 months ago he flys Blackhawks
and before he left for Iraq he flew escort with seven others for Pesident Bush when President Bush would fly from his ranch to get to the president 1 aircraft I can tell you a little dog story that I know you would enjoy When my son was at the President’s ranch in Texas he would play horseshoes with Barney the presidents dog.
yes it’s a true story and maybe it’s not supposed to be known but Barney loves to chase after horseshoes and fetches them.
Blessings , Take care of yourself
you are needed to carry on with Sprite’s work.
Rev. Robert Mariotti
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:13 am
Dear Mark,
Sorry to hear about Sprite. He must of been Wonderful friend!
I was crushed when Annie, my 5 year old Airdale Terrier passed away. She had sudden kiddney failure in just a weeks time from the first sympton. I was helped by a web site called “The Rainbow Bridge”. Maybe you know of it already. Anyway here is the story of the Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER
God Bless You and your family Mark!
Regards
Frank
January 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am
MARK WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DOG AND I KNOW YOU LOVED YOUR
BABY VERY MUCH!! THANK GOD FOR DOGS I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT MINE!! JUST ORDERED YOUR BOOK ON SPRITE AND CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT!! I’M SURE
I WILL SHED MANY TEARS OVER IT!! GOD BLESS YOU MARK
AND REMEMBER SPRITE LIVES ON THROUGH YOU!!
BLESSINGS,
HELEN AND HER
2 FURRY GIRLS!!
May 8th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Mark,
Sprite is running around in doggie heaven happy as can be. One day my 2 dogs (Adonis & Celest) will enter the gates of doggie heaven and will be greeted by your precious Sprite.
God Bless! Thank you for educating me on a daily basis.
Jose.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Sprite wherever you are you are in a more safer place. I feel like I have known you all my life, but we have never met. You are greatly missed, not by just your family but everyones family. You have a piece of everyone’s heart. We miss you Sprite.