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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1. My life is likely to last 10 to15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Author unknown
Robert from VA
Our beloved Daisy, a Shetland Sheepdog like no other, has been called into service by The Shepherd in Heaven. We know that Heaven is a happier place because of Daisy – she makes friends where ever she goes – but it hurts so much to be without her.
Daisy came to us at a time when we were all still settling in together, she helped us become a family and turned our house into a home. The cats seemed none too thrilled, but that didn’t faze her; she went on to tease and torment them for the rest of their lives. After ‘Precious’ then ‘Jane’ each passed away, Daisy noticed that one of her roommates didn’t make it back from the vet, looked inside the empty cat box, then pined in that sorrowful way that doggies do.
Now, we are all pining for Daisy.
We all loved her and she returned that love to us tenfold.
No-one loved Daisy more, nor showed their love better than my son Scott. After he moved into the house three years ago, Daisy became rejuvenated; we know that she lived a much longer and happier life because of him. He bought her toys and treats, played with her, bathed her and made sure that she stayed active. One other (perhaps minor?) thing that happened when Scott moved in: he ‘liberated’ Daisy from being forced to sleep in the laundry room. She really seemed to appreciate the new sleeping arrangements, whereby she got to sleep on her very own pillow on the floor of his room. Who’d a thunk it??
She did have a few quirks. You could never really take her for a walk, she would take you. She’d twirl around so much that it was hard to hold on to the leash. But, she was a sheepdog and as far as she was concerned, you were her sheep. (more…)
My wife is very upset by this due to our dogs young age, and also how attached my wife was not just to this dog, but this breed. We generously give to basset hound rescues all across the country and she keeps in touch with basset hound owners on a nearly daily basis (it’s called the Daily Drool). These are some great people, and the calls have been coming in since word got out, but she’s too upset to take any of them. This will take a lot of time to heal for her and my two sons.
Our memories of her include taking her flying in our private airplane (I’m a commercial pilot and air traffic controller). She was our “Am-Basset-door” for our voter registration drive at the Boulder County Fair Parade out here in Longmont , CO . The picture included was very recent when she was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. It was about 10 degrees outside, but she got everyone’s attention and brought in the donations. Thanks Mark for this site and what you do.
My story is not about a dog but my Parakeet, Sparky.
He passed away 8 Months ago. he was so special and my special friend. This may sound crazy, But I could tell he loved me. I got him from a pet store that was going to put him asleep because he only had one good foot and couldnt sit on a perch. So I took him home and made a special flat perch that he eventually learned to use. He could speak 165 words and 17 sentences.
When I walked into the room he would call out and say “Sparky Sparky,what a nice guy”. and would hobble as fast as he could over to me. One day, I heard him say in a deep voice “The Mark levine show” , he taught himself off the radio because I didnt teach him. Anyway, Thanks for letting me tell you about my Sparky, I will always miss him and thank God for letting me borrow him for a few years.
John from CA
Mark,
I’ve just fininshed reading your book “Rescuing Sprite.” What a touching story.
I lost a dog in May of 2001. He had been with me for 16 years. As I watched him grow weaker and weaker, I knew his time was short but I kept telling myself, just a little while longer.
Besides, the meds seemed to be helping.
I had to go on a business trip to Florida for a few days in May of 01. My husband was left with Bruno and our other dog Brandy. Two days after I left, my beautiful Bruno went quietly under the deck where he died two hours later. I’ve always thought maybe he was afraid I had abandoned him.
Knowing that I could not handle all the meetings if I knew he had died, my husband told me he was doing OK each time I called to check on him. He wanted to spare me the pain of facing this alone.
When I returned, he broke the news. I cried for hours and I cried every day for three weeks in a row but the grief didn’t stop then, only the tears.
Bruno was special because he had been there for me in 1993 when I had found out about my X husband and the “other woman.” Bruno would jump on the bed when I cried and gently lay his big furry head on my chest and look up at me with his big brown eyes as if to say “don’t worry Mom, I still love you.” (more…)
