Mark, thank you for sharing your story of Sprite. I have listened to both Sean and Rush in the past but had not listened to your show (my radio in my car barely picks up any stations). My brother and his wife know of my love for animals and rescuing them. They gave me your book for Christmas and I could relate so much to everything you talked about.

A few years ago I lost my lifetime pet (a cat named Smokey) while I was at college. I had grown up with him from the time I was 3 until I was about 21 when he died. I thought I could never open my heart to the pain (or joy) again because how much it hurt. I was embarrassed to tell people I was so depressed over “just a cat.” So many people did not understand, but now through your book I know there are many who do. (more…)

Mr. Levin,

I bought your book as a Christmas gift for for my husband and both of us have already read it. Thank you for so openly and honestly sharing your story with those of us who also love dogs and have loved and continue to love “particular” dogs. A particular dog in my life was a big, sweet, clownish Rottweiler named Dempsey. We also had to make that terrible decision to have him euthanized when his body was no longer able to support his great heart and spirit.

I think of him often, sometimes with a knife-like feeling of pain, but mostly with gratitude for all the joy and happy memories that remain. I believe that those of us who love dogs have a space in our hearts that can only be filled by a dog’s love. This makes us able to willingly emrace and re-imbrace the ultimate grief for the many joys and fulfillment that we gain in our relstionships with our beloved companions. The new dog cannot replace our previous pet, but it creates its own unique space in our hearts. That space in my heart is currently being occupied by ten year old Gunnar and two year old Tequila and Sammy. God grant that they, and yours, have many happy, healthy years to come.

Claudia from WV

It was a sunny and warm, late May morning when I went for a walk. I went south of town into an area of farms and rolling fields. The freshly planted corn and soybean fields yielded more than a distraction from a day of heavy studies. In the midst of my walk I saw a small black dot coming towards me as I traversed the countryside. It turned out to be one of the greatest joys of my life. Someone had dumped a three month old lab mix out in the country. He followed me some four miles until we got home. I scrambled up some eggs and got a couple of slices of toast to feed him. Then it was bath time. Whatever he had gotten into on his adventures was ripe. That was 13 1/2 years ago when Gus became my best friend and companion.

A year ago, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. Gus was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the lower spine. He was finally showing signs of break through pain and he rushed him to the vet to see if anything else could be done. The vet offered to do exploratory surgery to see the state of the tumor’s growth. Gus as on the operating table when the worst-case scenario was discovered. The cancer was ravishing his entire body. I decided then to let Gus go in peace. Since his passing I have taken to going on daily Gus Memorial Walks with my other dog, a border collie mix, Lady Girl. Gus’s death has been extremely hard on both Lady Girl and I. However, we are both enjoying our walks and I have found a new appreciation for the simpler aspects in life.

Debbie from IL

Mark, I just a few minutes ago finished your wonderful story about Sprite and Pepsi. A fellow dog lover gave me a copy for Christmas and I have to say that your story moved me to laughter and tears, lots and lots of tears. I currently am “dog mom” to three wonderful dogs, Bear, age 9, who was adopted from the Delaware County Humane Society as a pup; Odhinn, age 8, who my husband found a few days into January of 1999. He was cold, hungry and had broken free from whatever he had been tied to. His 6 foot swingset chain had gotten caught on an old piece of machinery in the back of the lot where my husband works. We have no idea how long he’d been stuck there, but he was not in very good shape and was only about 8 months old at the time. I was talking to my husband on the phone as he was sitting in the car, waiting for it to warm up, before heading home for the day, when he spotted this little red dog out in the back of the lot. We hung up and he went out to get the pup and ended up bringing him home. (more…)

I am not quite finished with your book…but I know exactly what you are going through…we just put our beloved Penny down…at Old Mill Vet also. Dr. Hussien was so kind and considerate also…The staff was also so caring and compassionate. Penny was the smartest, sweetest dog and we still miss her every day.

Mary from VA

Dear Mark,
Just received your book, “Rescuing Sprite” for Christmas, and couldn’t put it down. You said in your book, that you had doubts about writing it because you didn’t think anyone would want to read it. Boy, were you wrong! Look what you’ve started. Just as you were bring Griffen into your lives, my family was losing our dog of 15 years, Shorty. I thought you might enjoy reading the following story that my daughter wrote about our little dog. As I’m sure you have figured out by now, you’re not alone. I wish your family all the best. I hope you enjoy the following story:

Shorty was a great dog. When I say “great”, I don’t mean grand or beautiful or strong. He was just a great dog. We got him when I was eight. He was supposed to be my brother’s fifth birthday present but I always thought I bonded more with Shorty than my brother did. Maybe because I named him. Maybe because I’m the one that was holding him when he jumped out of my lap (I was sitting in the door way of the storage building) and broke his leg. I think it was my fault because I tried to catch him and probably just tripped him up. (more…)