I was so touched by your story. Although BJ is a 7 year old Springer Spaniel he reminded me of Sprite. He has more health problems than any other dog I have ever had and he is also by far the most affectionate. He weighs 52 pounds and is very content to sit on my lap for as long as 2 hours and just be near me. He also sleeps on the bottom of my bed.

Although he is still young I have often thought about what I will do when his time comes. It is going to hurt something awful, I try to offset those thoughts by the joy he gives me. I don’t know why he grabbed me by the heart like he has because I have had other dogs I sure loved but not like this one. Thank-you for your story.

Linda from NJ

Mark- I wonder if Sprite knows how many people he has probably brought together. I recently boarded a plane and found myself in an aisle seat with an empty seat between me and a nice woman in the window seat who was reading Rescuing Sprite. She was laughing and enjoying the book. I commented about the book and the author, hoping to strike a conversation about Mark Levin and/or politics. She told me the book was a gift from a friend, another dog lover, and she made it clear she was primarily interested in dogs, not politics.

Soon the empty chair between us was filled by another man who sat down and immediately commented on the womans book. Now here were two dog lovers! They chatted non-stop through the entire flight and you could see a friendship developing fast. The conversation started with rescuing dogs but it eventually covered an entire spectrum of topics. By the end of the flight two new friends exchanged email addresses and Sprite the matchmaker is probably smiling about the entire incident, as was I.

Bill from NY

Mr. Levin,
Sir, although I have never had the honor to meet you, I must say that you are one of the Greatest Americans.Thank you for who you are and what you stand for.I listen to your show as often as i can and am always informed and entertained.Your show is a class act and your topics are of interest to me.
Our famliy has always included pets of all kinds….but I must admit that Coconut and Bailey have brought much joy to us.We brought Coconut home just prior to me going to Iraq last January 07. I was in country for 6 months and that little guy helped my family in so many ways….if anybody wants to understand what “unconditioal love” is, get a dog!!!!! He helped my Wife and our Daughters cope with my absense. I am truly a better person because of him.Then came Bailey…we found him wandering along the road near our upstate NY home.I pulled over to avoid hitting him and my wife jumped out of our minivan and scooped him up. After examining him we determined that he had no collar, he was dirty and needed a haircut.We took him to our Vet and then our relative who operates a kennel.We got him up to date on his shots and a handsome haircut.I have come to realize that God has given us the ability to love much.Our hearts are capable of many loves….Family ,Friends and if we’re fortunate Pets who become members of our families.
Keep up the “good fight” Mr. Levin may God bless you and your Family
P.S. Coconut is a white mix breed of poodle/maltese and wire hair terrier. Bailey is a chocolate toy poodle.

David from NY

Mark,
I just picked up “Rescuing Sprite” today. I had heard about it from you, Rush, and Sean. From the moment I adopted Holly (a Christmas puppy) I have thought of the day I will have to let her go. She is a puppy from my sisters’ dogs’ litter and has always been loved. However she is a “diddicult” dog. I truly think that if she were with anyone else they would have abused her. God brought Holly and I together. She knows when I’m sad. She knows who I trust and don’t trust, and as with all devoted companions, she is there, unconditionally. I truly feel for your loss of Sprite. I also appreciate your conservative voice and apprecuate your will to continue. Right now Holly is stretched out beside me and loving life. I hope I have many more years with her.

Amber from TN

Mark I just want to thank you for sharing your memories of Sprite. My wife, eight-year old daughter and I had been looking to buy a puppy from a breeder. However listening to your wonderful stories of Sprite we decided to adopt a shelter dog instead.

I’m happy to say my on February 2nd we adopted our new dog (and family member) Bella from the Plano animal shelter here in Texas. She’s at best guess a 2-3 year old cocker spaniel whose original owners didn’t bother picking up.

I surely wish that shelters like this wouldn’t have to exist as it is truly devastating to see so many animals in need of a good home.

Thanks again my friend for your advise. And Bella thanks you too!

God Bless!

Jeff from TX

I just read your book and it really touched me. My husband and I lost our beloved Bobo Samantha on July 3, 2007. Bobo was the best dog ever, a stray who wandered in to a bus depot in Brooklyn in early 1993 and was lucky enough to be taken in by a dog lover who also happened to be the sister of a co-worker. My husband adopted Bobo and we were lucky to have over 14 years with her. Like Sprite she was older, but not so much, we think she was probably 1 1/2 or 2 years old. I also wondered about her life before us, she had a line around her muzzle which we thought indicated she had her muzzle wired. But mostly we just loved her and she us. She had her health problems as she got older and I will always remember picking up her liver medication at the pharmacy. I felt funny at first, but only the first time.

In early 2007 she had gotten very fragile and I stressed on where to board her while we were on vacation. We try to have someone dog sit, but in July it was not going to be possible. Bobo had always been stoic about the kennel, the same cannot be said for our younger dog Nani. But Bobo was so fragile. We had finally come to terms with the kennel, as we had no other alternative. I came home from work on July 3, 2007 and as I walked in the door Nani was running back and forth carrying on, more than usual. No sign of Bobo. I called her and no response. (more…)