Although Mark Levin is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster, he is, first and foremost, a dog lover. In 1998, he and his family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel they named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. They named him Sprite.
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Harrison was a long haired mixed breed cat who died on October 13th at the age of 16.5. He was a great companion and listened to all my problems. I got him at 6 weeks of age and could”t have asked for a better pet. He was a lot of fun and never complained. I was able to bury him on our property where he liked to watch the birds.
— Carol from Tuscaloosa, AL
When Aspen was 8, I found myself at age 30, almost finished with grad school, lease ending, car paid off, no kids, no relationship…just Aspen and I. We went on an adventure together and he flew all the way to south africa with me to spend three months on the beaches of cape town…he was quite a star there! We never went anywhere that he was not offerred some kind of treat. He was welcomed at the cafe’s and usually got a bowl of water before I was offerred a glass!
Later, as I returned to grad school for a phd, Aspen sat through many nights of writing and studying, laying next to me at my computer. We took an animal assisted therapy class and he passed his certification to become a therapy dog. He was 14 so I knew that he should just enjoy retirement.
He did very well until this past week, when he became sick to his stomach…three days later, he was not eating or standing. We were blessed to have the vet let us bring him home to be euthanized at home with all of his comforts and loved ones with him.
Thank you for letting me share him with you. May we all find comfort in knowing we are not alone in our loving and losing our amazing and beloved companions.
— Christine from Corinth, TX
A week ago I had to say good-bye to my best friend Freeway. It has been really hard I miss him a lot. I do have others to fill my time but we had spent so much time together through his 13.5 years. He was laying on the floor not wanting to get up,when I went to him to see what it was I could find nothing. I checked under his lip to find his gums pale.I really didn’t want to say good-bye yet. I tried to lay on the floor with him but he didn’t want any part of that.So I went to bed and was awaken by one of my others bark,as usual,wanting to go out. So I let them out and came back in the house and could not find Freeway my heaart sank. I heard a shuffle and saw him lying on the ground next to his outside water bowl. I again reached down to check on him only to be more heart broken. His gums were white now and his snot was cold. So I called the ER Vet and the said to bring him in. So I gathered him up all 67lbs of him and placed him in the car.I got there and they did x-rays and an ultrasound to find a mass on his spleen. It would be 2200 low and 3200 high for surgery with not much of a chance for a good quality of life IF he was able to make the surgery and leave the hospital.The mass was more than likely Cancer. So at that point I had to make one of the hardest self less decisions of my life and not let him suffer.So we sent some time together then the Dr. gave him two shots as I talked to him and said good-bye. I miss him SO much.It has been a week of loneliness.I know I have other dogs and I love them too with all my heart but this one shared so much with me. Freeway 4/22/98-9/18/11
— Sharyl from Monrovia, CA
Zach was a blessing in disguise. Zach is the name of my Irish Jack Russell who was abandoned as a puppy. My mothers neighbor found him and asked her if the puppy was hers. She said “no, but if you don’t find it’s home, bring it to me and I’ll give him to my son.”
Within an hour the neighbor brought Zach to my mothers house. She called me and asked me to come visit saying she had a surprise for me. When I got there and I looked at him, I was in tears. Being an Army Veteran I have seen many things. I have never seen a precious dog is such bad health. He was skin and bones. You could see his ribs, and he had dandruff all over him. I brought him home with me and gave him a little food and water. He was so thirsty that he drank several bowls of water. Then he slept for four days straight. I took him to my Veterinarian to get him a checkup and his shots. I’ve had him now for well over a year. He’s nice and healthy. Zach is such a loving dog. He always sleeps with me. He knows when I’m having a rough day, and he will jump into bed and lay down beside me and put his head on my shoulder, where he sleeps all night. I tell him about me being in the army and he just stares at me and listens. Then he comes up and actually gives me hugs. He’s my boy. The best friend I’ve never had. He was a blessing from God.
— Steve from Ft. Worth, TX
We have adopted our second German Shepherd rescue dog. Kendra is an adult female from Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles, a great organization. She has been a tremendous addition to our family. Instead of buying puppies, we have always adopted unwanted adult dogs. First was a Golden Retriever, then a Chessie and two German Shepherds since. The only downside with adopting older dogs is that they are not with you for as many years and its hard when they pass, but overall its very rewarding to adopt.
— Jim from Running Springs, CO
