Mark,
My husband Fred listens to you all the time; I am more of a moderate, Sorry!

We are dog lovers. As a matter of fact, we have three shelter dogs, Herbie, Bailey and Stella. We adopted Herbie from the local SPCA after we had to put our beloved Smokey to sleep (Smokey found us in December, 1984 – she was sitting on Fred’s welcome mat outside his apartment in Paterson, NJ). We adopted Bailey from the local Humane Society after we had to put our much loved Taffy to sleep (Taffy also found us – in the parking lot of Fred’s apartment complex in February, 1987, a few weeks before our wedding). In 2005 we adopted Stella after seeing her picture in a pet boutique in Long Branch requesting a new home because her current owner could not keep her. It turned out that we knew Stella’s human dad’s sister. Now we are all one happy, loud, rambunctious family, which also includes our 16 year old daughter, Amanda.

I bought your book; actually I felt compelled to buy the book. I tried to call your show on Thursday, November 8th (“Joanne from New Jersey”). I was disconnected three times and was finally to be put through except that the show ended. I was terribly disappointed. I wanted to share some advice with you and siblings your listeners concerning animal “siblings” when one of them needs to be put to sleep. When the unfortunate time comes it is important for the surviving animal siblings to be present and have an opportunity to say good bye by being close to and sniffing their dearly departed friend. We learned this the hard way. (more…)

Dear Mark, Jusr finished reading your book. It sounded so familiar. Right now we have 20 dogs, all strays. About 12 years ago we found a pure white pit bull He was an angel for sure. The Vet said we shouldn’t bring him home to be with the others so I took him to the Humane Society. As we passed our road he turned to me and a big tear ran down his face. We both cried all the way there. We brought him home a few weeks later. October of this year he started having kidney failure and we got him dialysias and his kidneys started working. However he contracted pneumonia and had to be euthanized.Even though we have 20 more we miss him terribly.

Erlene from CA

I hope this will quest any fears that anyone has if there is a heaven for animals.My poodle that we have had years was ill.Benji had a tumor on his face.My baby could eat on one side of his mouth.Benji was more like a part of the family.He played hide-seek with my niece and nephew and would be protected of my mother that is in a wheelchair,he was part ofthe family.Benji pain was intense I would get up many times a night to take him . Of course he would sleep with me. He can’t eat at all now, getting up at 3’00 am was no problem.if that helped Benji . I realized I couldn’t let him suffer .a family decsion was made what had to be done.But first prayed over Benji and gave him back to God.It was the hardest thing inthe world to do but I knew that we had to put him to sleep.I was devasted and so was family.The next day I had an appointment with vet.We hugged and told Benji we loved him and that if there was a heaven for animals I would see him there.I think to this day he knew that we tried everything in our power to help him.

The next morning as we waited at vets with myBenji in arms and tears running down my face we waited for our names to be called .It was finally here the time that I dreaded the vet called us to the back Benji looked up at me with his dark eyes so sad.The vet asked if I was ready…It took a matter of minutes to put an end to his suffering .My vet said he would make the finall arrangments.So I went home the house was so queit except for my mother crying ..i TRIED to keep from thinking of him but I would find a toy or something.It was finally time to go to bed ..I finally feel asleep when something burst in my room it was Benji so alive and so happy like when was a puppy so much energy he was glistening white like when I gave him a bath.Of course he wanted in bed with me so I put him up.an went back to bed ..My baby was ok…The next morning MOM woke me up for work .I asked about Benji …Don’t you rember we had to put him to sleep..I told what happend with Benji.That was Benji letting know he loved me and forgave me and that he is happy ..Yes there a animal heavean.GOD BLESS

Kathy from OH

I read the book last night thru tears as I lost my very best friend last week to lymphoma and everything Mr. Levin felt and did I did too from sleeping next to my Wally on the floor and giving him back rubs. On his final night I held him in my arms from 9pm until he passed 5 1/2 hours later. I am inconsolable. I had a dream the other night and heard him barking and got up to let him out only to remember my friend of 11 years was no longer with me. I purchased 4 copies of your book for my dog loving friends. My prayers are with all of you who have lost your babies. Thank you for writing this heart wrenching book Mr. Levin and for adopting Griffon. You and your family are special people.

Pam from MT

Hi Mark!

I just finished reading your book which a friend bought me. I had to put my chocolate lab, Ben, to sleep in May due to cancer. Like you, we had decided the night before that his time had come to an end. I talked to him about it and he seemed to understand. He slept in my arms, wanting stroked, all night long. The next day, at the vet, he was put to sleep as I sat on the floor with him, with his head on my lap. I know all to well what you have been through.

I know today, tomorrow, and the holidays are going to be especially difficult for you. I know Christmas will bring back many (fond) memories of Ben.

Like you and writing your book, I had to find ways to deal with my pain and guilt.

I wanted to share some of the things I have done in hopes that it may help others.

I had Ben creamated. His ashes were returned to me in a heart shaped box. I have the box on a table along with the Rainbow Bridge poem and his remembrance card.

I made remembrance cards with a picture of Ben with my son (who is 15) as a young child in the background and an older picture of Ben inserted into it. I included the poem
“They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true. I never wanted memroies, I only wanted you. A million times I needed you, a million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place – no one could ever fill.
I sent this to family and friends.

I also did a memorial by our fireplace where I included his favorite toys, pillow, pictures, the remembrance card, a copy of of Rainbow Bridge (http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html), fresh flowers, and a candle which I lit every night. I kept this up until his 11th birthday two months later.

I also wrote a poem of our life together and did a slideshow of Ben’s life which included pictures and the songs: you’re my best friend (Queen), there you’ll be (Faith Hill), you’re gone (Diamond Rio), my heart will go on (Celine Dion), and goodbye my friend (Linda Ronstadt).

As you, I took the time to thank those who had taken such good care of Ben during his life and illness.

I recently came across another version of Rainbow Bridge which has helped me and I thought I would share…. (more…)

We’re on vacation in Mexico. We both just read Rescuing Sprite and shared it with some friends that we met here. It’s one of the most heartwarming stories we’ve ever read. And being dog owners and lovers (we have 3 Yorkies), your tale touched our hearts deeply. The joys of dog ownership can only be eclipsed by the sadness of losing one, in whatever way God chooses to take them. We’ve endured the slow aging process and the sudden loss, and there is never an easy way. And the sadness lasts and it hurts, more than one can ever describe.

Know that on this day of the anniversary of your loss, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your story.

As a fan of both you and your books, I can’t tell you how much it means to share yet another aspect of American life with you, and that is the joy of loving and being loved by a dog like Sprite.

Frankie and Alex from AZ