I wanted to write to you and tell you how much I enjoyed your book, Rescuing Sprite. I too have had to make the decision to put down a beloved dog. Her name was Lucy, a yellow lab. We got her as a puppy when I was pregnant with my 4th child. Somehow this dog knew my condition. When I would take my doctor recommended hour naps to get off my feet this dog would jump up on the bed next to me and put her head on my ever growing pregnant belly.

After my daughter Cindy was born, Lucy took to caring for this child. I would find her sleeping on the floor next to the crib instead of her regular place with my son. When Cindy was able to scoot around in a walker, every time Lucy would pass by Cindy she would give Cindy a “kiss” a big wet lick, much to Cindy’s gasps and giggles. (more…)

Rescuing Sprite was an awesome book!! I cried and laughed and cried some more. What a wonderful way for you to work through your grief and to help others with theirs. It is never easy saying good-bye to a beloved pet and I have done it many, many times. You were lucky to have Chris come to the home where Sprite was most comfortable.

The reminded me how we adopted Ben, an Australian Cattle Dog. Before Ben, there was Cocoa, yes a Chocolate Lab, whom I loved and adored, even though she’d help her self to the refrigerator when she was left alone, and so did my father. In May 2002, my father passed away and I was devastated. He was my best friend. As I was trying to work through my grief, I received news that Cocoa had a blood disorder and was bleeding internally. She had to be put down. I held her head and just kept whispering how much I loved her. It truly was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Even as I write this, I’m crying! A friend said to me that my father missed me so much that he needed a piece of me with him in heaven so he chose Cocoa. Though the statement helped me with my grief for both, I told my husband and son NO MORE DOGS unless St. Francis or Cocoa leads one to us in desperate need. (more…)

Now, I know why they call you the ‘great Mark Levin’..I just finished Rescuing Sprite…I also have a ‘once in a lifetime dog-child’ His name is BubbaRay & he is a standard poodle.. I have spent all my saved cosmetic surgery money to save his life from “BLOAT” and then bleeding ulcers..And I would gladly do it over again and again. We feel about him as ya’ll do about Spritey…his nick-name is Bubbie..I am a retired flight attendant and we don’t even travel anymore because it is simply no fun without him by our side..
I gave up my job from American Eagle about 8 yrs ago when our beloved ‘Louis’ developed diabetes and needed insulin shots every 12 hours..I am proud to say that he lived into his 19 yr and had a stroke in bed next to me on New Years morn of 2001…But my BubbaRay somehow crosses a line and is part of our souls. I had his actual paw print tattooed on my lower back with a little red heart for my 60th birthday just this 1/23 .. I have NEVER had a tattoo before but this seemed the thing to do.
Mark, may you find comfort in knowing that Sprite waits for you ..Bless you and yours!

Carrie from MS

Mark – Thank you for writing such an honest, heart-felt book. I was given a copy for Christmas in the context of having lost my beloved dog back in November.

I’m including a link to a recording someone sent me of a boy in Texas who had to put down his pet calf. He relied on his strong Christian faith to help him deal with his grief. I hope this doesn’t offend, as I realize you are Jewish, but wanted to share this:

S from VA

Dear Mr. Levin, first, thanks for your show. My dog Crissy and I listen daily while on our walk. Crissy and my wife are the two reasons I’m alive to tell the story. I was born with cystic fibrosis. That is a degenerative lung disease. We lost our two old dogs in ’04. I bought another Australian Cattle Dog when I had healed a bit from losing them.

In the fall of ’04 cystic fibrosis was forcing me to work less and less. I’m a truck driver in Central AZ. The disease progressed to the point of critical by March of ’05. On March 17th of ’05 I went in to respiratory failure and had to be medevaced from Globe to Phx. Upon my arrival in PHX, my Dr’s put me in an induced coma to keep me alive until I could receive a double lung transplant. After the coma incident I was sent home to either die or be transplanted. While I was waiting I kept telling myself,”I can’t die now, this dog has too much personality. I’ve got to live and watch her grow up”. (more…)

I’m halfway through your book, Rescuing Sprite. Needless to say it has touched me deeply as I have rescued my dog as well. 10 years ago, I rescued Chelsea, a shepard, lab, husky mix. She was 8 weeks old and had the second worst case of puppy abuse in NYC that survived. She had her paws nailed to the floorboard, her 2 back legs were broken and her stomach was covered with cigarette burns..malnourished. She just broke my heart. She was and is the sweetest thing you ever wanted to see. She’s kind and loving. I thought I was going to be her saviour, but in actuality, she was mine.

My heart was so broken when I adopted her. I went through a very bad 20 year relationship with my ex and numerous miscarriages. She saved my life. I look at her as I am writing this and feel so blessed that she’s in my life. God has given me such a gift. She helped me through both my Mom and Dad’s death and various other ups and downs that life throws you. She’s sleeping right now and even then she looks like an angel. Chelsea has a lot of medical problems but I cherish each and every day with her. No matter how much time I have left with her, I know I have experienced so much more than so many other people. She has taught me compassion, unconditional love and so much more. I’m not that great a writer like you are, but I hope I expressed how better off my life is with her in it. By the way, my boyfriend gave me your book for Christmas and Hannukah…my best gift yet.

Debbie from NY