I do not have a sad story, although I have had many of my family (dogs) live to a rip old age and pass on to a better place – I guess in \”doggie heaven\”.  But I do want to submit a photo of my sweet little Calli, my Jack Russell Terrier. The reason she is wearing that funny looking cone is because I saved up the money to have her spayed. I urge all your fans, near and far, to do the right thing and have their dog / cat spayed or neutered. Their are so, so many dogs and cats just sitting on death row it is heart-breaking. Don\’t buy a dog or cat, adopt one and save a life!  And at all cost: have your family pet (family member) fixed as not to create more life that will only end up being destroyed in the end – it\’s the right thing to do, and it\’s far better than the outcome of not having your pet fixed. Mark, I hope you share my thoughts with all your readers as not only are you a pet lover, but you are a great human being.
PS: I never miss any of your radio shows on WABC AM New Yourk City.
God bless you Mr. Levin!

Brian from NJ

Mark, I received ‘Rescuing Sprite’ as a gift last Christmas. I picked it up last week and finished it last night. Needless to say, I cried each night I read it before bed. Your description of the dread you felt leading up to and after Sprite’s demise really hit home. I had a Papillon/Pomoranian mix who was only 10 years old when we put here to sleep three years ago. My wife rescued her from the streets of Columbus Ohio by putting an article of her clothing at the entrance of our apartment. When we returned, there was this cute little creature laying on our porch. It was obvious she had experienced some trauma early in her life, as she never liked children, would chase loud cars and motorcycles and cower when we would raise our hand without malice.

Anyway, as she was a small breed, she had to have her teeth cleaned every couple of years. Two weeks after her last cleaning it was apparent that she had gone blind. Her condition deteriorated quickly, as she was messing the house frequentlly, was very disoriented and a shell of her former self. We decided to euthanize her as her quality of life was nill. After her death and subsequent burial in the back yard, the tremendous guilt I felt was unbearable and relentless. Why did I decide to forego the test for her tolerance to anesthesia prior to her procedure? Why did the Vet allow that? Why did I let her gain weight to the point of being very unhealthy? Like you, I was looking for validation of my guilt by researching cases of stroke under anesthesia but never really found it. I miss her tremendously and look at her picture on the wall every day.

To this day, I am still on the fence about getting another canine friend because the memory of heartbreak is still fairly prevalent. The old cliche about time heals all wounds is so true. I really admire you and your family’s commitment to sharing your love for dogs in the shelters. Thanks again for the book and for making me feel like somebody else cares about dogs in a way that I could never share with friends and family.

Mark from PA

I just want to say that anytime I hear callers or yourself talk about  their pets or Sprite, I get choked up. I have two 9 yr old Border Collies that are starting to turn grey, get arthritis, and slow down. I didnt grow up in a loving intact family, and though I am married to a loving and devoted spouse, I have to honestly say that I dont know the kind of bond that I should. I guess I never really felt loved or loving, except to my beloved Border Collies babies.

Honestly the only unconditional , precious caring love that I have ever felt in my entire life. I wont be able to bear the loss of either of my dogs. I have been getting teary about that fateful day for years, at times when i look at them and our bond is so deeply felt. Kind of morbid catastophising, I know, but I fear and dread that day. I do want to say that I have decided that no matter what happens to them, that I will hold them in my arms until the Angel of Death would come to take them from me.

I decided that I wont opt for having another human being take their life by euthanizing, as I have promised them many times that I will always protect them from harm and I will keep my promise, even though it may be an easier or more humane choice to have a vet put them down. Its just that my promise will stand to the end, and if I go 1st, I have already made sure that my husband will honor this pact.
well, thanks for letting me share. I tear up when i see your photo of Sprite. Dogs are truly the greatest, most precious gift God gave to mankind.
(pls. excuse the messy bed, but my dogs get to lay on it just like kids)

May God Bess you greatly Mark.

Alli from ID

Mark, I lost my dog, a german sheperd/black lab mix about 1 yesr ago, I was just so sad and depressed it was almost like losing a child. About the same time I had heard your show and your discussions about dogs and it helped lift me from my despairs. I miss my Sam but he will always be with me in my heart. I listen to your show every day on my way home, you are an inspiration as I know I am not alone in y beliefs. Thank You for your service.

David from Va

Mark, I just read your book and wanted to share my story with you. On May 20, 2003 our little black girl (toy poodle) Gracie gave birth to 2 boys. One of those was white and we named him Gadget. When he was 3 months old he began having seizures and we noticed that he couldn’t see. We took him to our vet and was told that he had hydrocephalus, more comanly know as water head. We were devistated. We took him to a specialist and elected to have a shunt put in his head to relieve pressure and stop the seizures. After much time in the hospital, be brought him home.

With another puppy (Cody) in the house we had to devote a room to Gadget. He quickly learned where his food, water and bed was. He could navigate the room like he could see. He loved to go outside and we walked with him to keep him from running into things, etc. It was very difficult to give him a bath. He snapped because he was scared. He bit me on a regular basis but sometimes he would let me hold him. We had almost a year with him before the seizures began again and he died. We couldn’t get him to the vet fast enough. We think something happened to the shunt. Looking back we probably didn’t to the right thing prolonging his life but we loved him and tried to do what we thought was best.

The vet nevrr encouraged us to put the shunt in. I guess they realized that he would not have a long life although the never told us that. I still can’t think about him without tears. My husband cried for weeks after his death. Now we still have Gracie, her husband Marley and Gadget’s brother Cody. Life is never dull. They are our children. I understand what you went through with Sprite. I wish I could have known him. We listen to you on the radio every night at 6 p.m. and love the show. Thank you for sharing your time with Sprite. Much love to you and your family.

Liz from NC