In 2001 we adopted a Boston Terrier puppy mill rescue dog. Trixie spent the first 4 years of her life in a metal cage. Constantly breeding and obviously with no medical attention. When we received our special girl we immediately had to remove 11 of her rotten teeth and scoop out spoonfuls of “muck” from her infected ears. Her legs were atrophied from huddling in a cage and her paws were raw and spread out. We introduced her to grass, walking and dog food. It took three months of careful petting and behavior before she would even begin to initiate contact with us. She gradually became a happy,tail-wagging dog that felt loved, but never fully recovered from the psychological scars from whatever abuse she suffered. In the five years we had her she experienced endless walks at the park, car rides, treats and even weekend getaways with us and our other Boston Mugsy. She never knew the immense joy she brought to our family but I think our love helped erase some of the terrible things other human beings did to her. Having to let her go because of a stomach tumor was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I knew in my heart it was her time to go but it doesn’t lessen the pain of losing a companion who gave you unconditional love. I tell her story as a way to honor her brave spirit.

Claudia from CT

Very sad day in my household. My 11.5 year old German Shepherd, Doc, passed away suddenly last night, while playing fetch in my yard. Having a very difficult time.

M from MN

My brother gave Rescuing Sprite to me for Christmas. I finished it in two days although through many tears. I used to rescue dogs for several years on my farm in Tennessee. I had to stop due to health problems, Lack of funding, lack of volunteers, and a devastated heart.

I gave it up except in extreme emergencies. I have one of those emergencies. Ironically her name is Pepsi. As I read the book i noticed how many of your friends, Mark, have or had very elderly dogs or ones that recently died close to Sprite’s time. Would one of your friends be interested?
I must adopt her out soon as I am preparing to move to California. I just sold my house. She is fully vetted, spayed and ready to go to a great, energetic home.
. She IS only 2 years old. She’s potty trained but needs her excitement controlled or exersized out of her each day. I can barely manage her due to my physical difficulties.
Help!! She needs a good home!!! Thanks for the book and for your compassion.
Hope I didn’t break any rules here.
Somehow we can arrange transport.

Jayna from TN;

Just finished your book and I rate it a 10 tissue box read.
This time last year I lost my beautiful girl Chloe to a brain tumour, she was a 10 year old Mini Fox Terrier (Tentifield Terrier is the other name) a true aussie dog. Very mad and a real dag (Clown) she love me, food and walks in that order! Like Sprite she had been unwell on and off for a number of months and my vet mentioned a MRI but said what was I going to do with the results. She was not a young dog, the MRI would terrify her and was I going to put her through so muchfear for the same outcome. I decided to medicate, watch and just love her to bits. I have tears in my eyes now as I type these words. She died in my arms 18th March 2007 I had her creamated as due to our drought here in Victoria the ground was too hard to bury her. I chose a pewter box for her ashes and when she returned home some of her was enclosed in a beautiful locket. I wear the locket and now take her with me to all the places dogs are not allowed! Thank you so much for sharing your Sprite with so many of us he will live on in our hearts now as he does in yours. I do have another dog she is Milly also a very aussie dog a Blue Heeler X with an Australian Terrier, she was a mistake birth so she was free to a good home and she is so much fun and a very different nature to Chloe. I will never forget my Chloe but life has to go on. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year and having a dog in my life again has made my treatment and recovery so much easier. They are truly here as our soul mates.

Clare from Australia

Mr. Levin, I just finished reading your book. I too had to make the same decision as you. My yorkie, Thatcher had a lot of health problems from the time he was 7 and when he was 14, his little body just couldn’t take any more. He has been gone now for over 3 years and even now seldom a day goes by when I don’t shed tears for him. I think about him several times a day and miss him terribly.

So many things in your book touch the root of my soul. The part where you talked about just looking at Sprite and all his details, his fur, his paws, his ears and after he was gone how you missed your walks, your talks, his bark, holding him…I say that all the time – I miss holding Thatcher so much, I miss his bark and his kisses. Thatcher also had a wagging bobbed tail, just like Sprite did. I do believe I will be reunited with him one day, I truly do, but losing your best friend is the hardest thing in the world, especially when you had to make the decision to let him go.

May God Bless you and your family. I’m so glad that you have Pepsi & Griffin in your life.

Thank you for sharing your story about Sprite. He was such a beautiful dog and obviously was meant to be with your family, even if it were for such a short time.

Debbie from GA

Kid was a beautiful dog. We adopted him from a local shelter and we enjoyed his company for 3 years. Sevreral months later we adopted another dog from the shelter-Lady. Kid and Lady loved each other and played together all the time.We live behind a wild life reservation and Kid was killed by a chayote in our back yard, during the night. I will never forget the morning when my husband told me the horrific news. I grieved over Kid for months. After 9 months we adopted another dog from the same shelter-Tiny. I think about Kid a lot. I loved and still love this dog.

Tally from CA