We found out 2 weeks ago my baby Buddha isn’t absorbing proteins any more and there is nothing we can do at this point. We have to put her to sleep today at 4:45 after 12 years. How in the world am I going to handle this? My kids and wife are utterly distraught. I’m sick, numb, depressed, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m supposed to be a man. I’m far from that at this point.

Mark from NY

Hi Mark

I enjoyed reading your book about sprite.  It made me cry. I wish i had met him. I Think your story about Sprite is important because people will realize that older dogs are good to have, and they will adopt them more often because most people want to have puppies or younger dogs…

I was born in Israel I always loved dogs all my life. In America dogs are very fortune at least most of them . It is a friendly loving dog society here. I remember when I grew up in Jerusalem my mom one day called an Arab handyman to our house but he didn’t want to come in because of the dog.
He said there is a dog in the house and it is unpure.

I respect everybody religion and understand where they come from. Also the religious orthodox jews don’t have dogs either, at least in Israel, and I can understand why having 7 to 10 children or more who has time for a dog?
I think that we dog lovers are very fortune to know this love. It is pure and unconditional and we are lucky to have it in our hearts. I am lucky to have my 10 ys old Julie a terrier mix.

I thank Hashem, God, for her. I also have two boys and i think that altough you have chiidren and you love them the most you can still love your dog very much. You can’t help it you get so attached to them.
I WISH IT WAS NOT LIKE what my Rabbi say. My Rabbi in Israel said that dogs don’t go to heaven they don’t have “Neshama” only Humans has it. That makes me sad. I realize that once my dog dies that ‘s it and I will never see her again. The Rabbi also said that it is a sin to elevate dogs to a humans level.

According to Judaism the only Mitzva or good deed that we require and obligate toward animals is not to be cruel to them. That’s it. Having a dog or a cat is not a Mitzva and will not give you any “extra points ” when you die.
But if you are cruel to an animal you will be accounted for it and it will be held against you. A MITZVA or doing good deeds is only between people. Any good deeds you do to others is consider a mitzva and you will be rewarded
for it. Not so for animals. There are many bad people who own a dog and take good care of it but they still bad people.
I know in my heart that God will reward me for taking such good care of my dogs.

ALL THE BEST
DAFNA from FL

Hi Dr. Levin!

I don’t have a photo to add at this time. I just finished reading your book and was so moved that I had to write. I love dogs and wanted one since the day I was born. When I was about 14 (around 1974) my parents finally broke down and bought me a beautiful little Keeshond puppy that I named Rocky. He was my joy. He went everywhere with me. He saw me through the death of my mother when I was 16. I stayed home to go to college so I wouldn’t be apart from him. Rocky endured 11 of the 13 years I was a Baltimore City police officer. He welcomed my new boyfriend, Jeff, and eventually my husband (now of 20 years) who was a Lt. with the Baltimore Police Department. He comforted me through the time in ’88 when my husband was shot in the line of duty and helped Jeff through his recovery. He even lived for a time with us in our new home.

In 1989, Rocky’s arthritis got so bad that he couldn’t sit, stand, or walk. He wasn’t eating and was so miserable that I finally made the decision to end his misery. I felt I was holding on to him for myself and not really thinking of his comfort. My guilt still sits with me, because at the time I didn’t know I had the option of cremation or whatever and let the vet dispose of his body. I regret that to this day. I try to take comfort in his memory and the good life he had.

Jeff and I and our 2 kids Walker (16) and Lizzie (14) now have an 11 year old fat little beagle named Tillie. She is the light of all our lives. Quite different than my Rocky. It is amazing how you can quickly love another dog so strongly, still missing the lost one, but feeling the void filled. Thank you for your book!

Ann from MD

Dear Mark
I’m writing you with a deep sadness in my heart. You see , I know the feeling of loss from the death of one of God’s creature’s and the pain and anguish of watching them suffer. The sadness of losing a caretaker of this wonderful shelter animals is as great.

Last Thursday January 4,2008 my wife Susan Ellen (Sunnie) Wymbs passed away from an uncontrllable disease. Sunnie was a New Jersey State Animal Control Officer and State certified Cruelty investigator . She lived for the care and welfare of the wonderful shelter dogs of which you have portrayed so eloquently in your absolutely wonderful book Rescuing Sprite. Mark you have so moved me that I needed to thank you in honor of my beloved wife Sunnie for bringing to light the joy and selflessness of rescuing animals from the numerous Shelters throughout the country.You are so right when you say that doing so is God’s work.

Thank you
God Bless you always,

Vincent from NJ

P.S. I’m a proud Letter Carriier for the United States Postal Service for 21 years. People seem to forget that during 9/11, we too were attacked by anthrax and had to deal with insurmountable stress from unfortunate events in making sure we touched each American with our daily deliveries . Could you possibly give us a nod of thanks on your show when you salute our great troops overseas

I’ve written before, Mark, and told you that upon being a faithful (spellbound) listener and a beneficiary of your spoken words and “Rescuing Sprite” that my relationship with my dog Duncan has been changed and elevated forever.

Recently Duncan has required surgery for a torn ligament in his leg. As (in the past) a dog owner, rather than a dog lover, I may have balked at the expense required and physical therapy that we perform each day. I now relish in the privilege of caring for a loved one.

You and Sprite came into our lives just in time. Thank you.
Never stop delivering your message and knowledge of our Constitution. Never.

Eternally grateful for you and Sprite,
Eric and Duncan from NC

I LOVE GRIFFEN! AS I LOVE PEPSI AND SPRITE, THE LATTER WHO WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US.

We must resign ourselves that “For everything there is a season .. a time to live, laugh and die.”

I’ve just finished reading your book for the second time. Pepsi, Spritey and Griffen are my loves too.

What a loving Creator, to show us what real unconditional love is through His pets. My Sunday School student (in 8th grade) revealed that dog spelled backwards is God.

A coincidence? I don’t think so.

When our pets and loved ones leave this earth for a better world, we must always thank God that He has given us so much love and rich experiences to make our days beautiful.

Was it an ‘accident’ that Spritey came and enriched your/our lives? The great Presbyterian theologian (of predestination), John Calvin would say ‘no.’ I agree with him.

It is also not an accident that your book will reveal the love not only of Pepsi, Spritey and Griffen (I want to know more about this cuddly little guy, though I wish you’d get them a little younger but predestination does not always give you choice) but the love of a really beautiful family, with loving friends.

Yes, we’re in love with your pets, but your book gives enormous dimensions into the wholesomeness of a loving family, with loving friends. What goes around comes around.

I was so impressed with Lauren’s David who ran in the snow bare foot to catch Sprite. Your kids come from good stock, and birds of a feather, fly together.

Thanks for introducing us to your beautiful loving Kendall.

I am also a great fan of Hannity, and of course Maharooshie.

Please take care. Our nation needs your great mind. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ida from CA

PS: We’re praying you’ll write another book. We don’t know enough about Griffen. Love that name.

thanks for the photo gallery.