A few weeks ago I sent you the story of my lost poodle (and rescue dog), Mochi, who ran away from my pet sitter the day after Christmas. This had been one of the most difficult times in my life, not knowing what happened to my poor baby and where she could have been. As each week went by, people around me started to lose hope. We had had temperatures below freezing, hard rain, and even a snow storm.

Every day I did a little something to work on getting her back. I continued to search the shelters, pets for sale ads, and lost & found ads. But the one thing that I did that was most helpful was to never give up hope and pray. Not only did I pray, I submitted to every online prayer request that I could find, I sought out pet chaplains, and went to prayer for pets websites. Anyone and everyone that I could get to pray for my dog to return home, I contacted.

It worked! Mochi is home safe & sound. She was found about 1 mile from my home hiding under a barn. The man who owned the barn just happened to also build cage traps to catch coyotes. The first time he saw her, she would not go to him when called but hid under the barn instead. So, he set one of his homemade traps (with which he had never caught one coyote). Within an hour, though, Mochi was caught. She was ok, a little dirty and very hungry, but OK! After 22 days of living outside, surviving, finding her own food, and finding her own shelter, she is home. I always believed that I would find her and I never gave up on her. I think she never gave up either. She did her part to stay safe and fed until I found her – and I did!

Toi from GA

I loved reading about Sprite. We lost our wonderful Sluggo on Dec 10, 2006 and it was the hardest dog loss our family has had. Sluggo was the first puppy to my boys and helped them grow into caring men. He taught them responsibility, and love. We still miss him. A good dog is the best medicine for a heavy heart. We now have 2 rescue dogs, and they take good care of us. Thanks for sharing Mark.

Lynn from GA

We have 4 dogs, all in the house with us, 3 labs, 1 Westie & 8 horses (not in the house). My son gave me your book “Rescuing Sprite” for Christmas. Loved it!! I know what it’s like to have to put your best friend to sleep. I found this great poem that kind of helps.

Though we will never meet again on this Earth, my friend, your pal
Run in the Mountains, Hunt in the Meadows
Rest in the shade of the pines
Drink the cold streams water,
Stay warm in the clean sun
Smell the birds on the soft breeze.
Rest in peace – wait for your pal
I will come for you, my friend.

LeAnne from CA

Harley was a soft tailed Springer, named after the bike. Our son, Dougie bonded with him during several extended recuperations from knee surgery and shoulder dislocatoins work layoffs. We had Harley for 13 years before cancer laid him so low we had to have the vet come an put him out of his misery as he laid on his dog bed, Dougie along side. The trauma of losing his dog, his job a month earlier, and his girlfriend just before that was too much for Dougie and he ended his life of 28 years on Easter Monday at the end of a rope in the garage. We never had time to grieve Harley, and Mark’s story has reminded us of just how big a part he played in his adopted family Never underestimate the influence you pooch has in your life.

Doug from MI

When my husband gave me your book, Rescuing Sprite, as a Christmas present, I really did not want to read it because I knew what the end was going to be and I have always avoided reading, listening, or seeing anything that involves the animals dying. I read it anyway. The book expressed my feelings about dogs exactly, and yes, I cried when you described Sprite’s end.

Our own ‘dog of dogs’, Buddy died two years ago at the age of 16. When I think of how we came to adopt him and all of the wonderful years we had with him, I miss him all over again. He was part border collie and something else. We adopted him from the RSPCA in York, England. I still remember the lady saying to Buddy as we left, “I will see you back here.” I replied, “No you won’t.”

The next hurdle was getting him past my husband because after the death of our last wonderful dog, Inu, he did not want to get attached again. However, after four years of bereavement, our two sons and I decided that it was time to get another dog. The problem was, how can we convince their father? The answer was simple – get Dad out of the house long enough for the dog to get settled in. At the time, we lived in England and we were always going off on trips to other countries to sight see and, in the winter time, to ski. Since Christmas was coming up, we decided to give Dad a week by himself on the slopes. When he came back and discovered Buddy (not without our trying to hide him until we could explain (wheedle, cajole)to him our feelings, The rest of the story you can guess and I am in the process of writing up. (more…)

Mr. Levin: I wanted to write to you upon finishing the last page of “Rescuing Sprite”. It is with appreciation, sadness and compassion that I write–to thank you for sharing your story of your beloved “Spritey.” Our dogs are like our ‘children’ and it is just as painful to lose our 4-legged friends and loving companions–but only those of us who have been there, can relate to the pain and grief–and you so wonderfully demonstrated that. I lost a 16 yr. old Black Lab terrier (my first dog ever); a ‘discarded’ 12 yr. old Irish Setter and a 14 yr. old Old English Sheepdog. The pain lessens, but never goes away. Sprite has crossed over to the “Rainbow Bridge” where all dogs meet and play, in health and happiness forever.

Jan from GA