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.
I’m a dog groomer. I stay open pretty late on holidays so last minute pets can look especially pretty for holiday celebrations.
On this one Christmas Eve, I was already closed. The computer and register down for the day. I was cleaning up. A man came and knocked on the door. I told him I was closed. He was crying. He had a dog, a big lab named Tara who was dying. She had always loved water and he wanted her to have one last bath before she went. I said no. He literally begged me. Everyone was closed, it was late. I was touched and agreed. He carried her in, she could no longer walk. We put her in the bathtub and I started giving her a bath. A good rub, conditioner and a gentle dryer with warm air. While I worked, the man told me about Tara, she loved water and could even fish. They were from Ireland and had been boating and fishing all over he world. She looked at me with the most intelligent eyes, filled with pain and even yes some gratitude. She really did like her bath. Afterwards he carried her out to the front and laid her on the floor to pay me. I refused. I could not take money for giving a dying dog a bath on Christmas Eve. I just couldn’t. It went against everything I believed in as an animal lover, as a human being, as a Christian. I could not take payment. In fact, I’d dislike anyone who DID take payment. After some disagreement he agreed, but left a small armount as a “tip”. When he turned to pick Tara up, she had left us. He carried her body out to his car and I locked up.
The next Christmas on Christmas Eve, the same man came back. He had a new puppy. A puppy who every year since then gotten a bath on Christmas Eve in loving memory of Tara the Christmas dog.
Melody from CA
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When our cats died we couldn\’t get any more because my husband had developed severe allergies to cats. We had been researching what kind of dog to get when my 8-year old son came up to me one day and said, Mom, I want a Chihuahua. My husband\’s first reaction was, \”a rat dog?\” Long story short, Newt is now 14 years old and is our baby. I tell people he can stay because he doesn\’t ask for money like my adult children. He got the name Newt because the breeder couldn\’t stand Newt Gingrich and didn\’t want to get attached to this little guy since she couldn\’t keep him. Her strategy didn\’t work, but she had to sell him anyway. We kept the name, which worked out well since it fits his personality to a T–he\’s a great Republican dog. He\’ll take on any other dog, big or small. His AKC name is Speaker of the House!
Mark, thanks for your dog corner and most of all i thank god everyday for you and what you do to inform all of us out here ,,, thanks mark,, i have a choclate lab his name is charlie,, he is such a joy to us and everybody he comes in contact with ,, he has the heart of gold and is about 10 years old now and he gets really sore day to day now depending on his activities the day before,, i can only hope for ten more with charlie ,, god bless these magnificent animals,, with great respect mark ,, hope to talk to you someday,
I was blessed with parents who loved dogs and cats. Until the day I moved out of my family home, I was surrounded by multiple pets. My career path led me into apartment management and I was not allowed to have a pet. Finally, at age 42, I bought my first home and could realize my dream of having a dog again in my life. I spotted “Max” at our local shelter (1999) and it was love at first sight. Max was a stray and was on a hold for over a week allowing an owner to find him. I visited him daily. He would press himself into the kennel bars as hard as he could so I could get my fingers through to give him a scratch. When the day came that he was available, I went over to get my boy only to find out that someone else wanted him too. A raffle was held and I lost. I went home with my tail between my legs and cried. A couple of days later, I went back and searched up and down the isles hoping to end the agony and find another pet. I stopped by the front desk and asked if they would take my phone number down and call me if for some reason Max was returned all the while thinking “yeah right, a busy city run shelter is really goinging to keep up with that request.” Two nights later my phone call came in. “Your boy is back and you need to pick him up now. We’ll hold the shelter open for you!!!” I sped over there and my life with Max began. He is unconditional love, my best friend, my smile during the darkest days, the reason I’m forced to get exercise, and even stood glued to my side as an intruder was trying to break in to my house. The shelter has since had a 501(c)3 volunteer group form and to thank them for bringing Max into my life, I joined 4 years ago and have given around 1500 hours of my time. It’s a joy to watch a depressed animal light up as he walks out the door to his new life. Thank you so much for giving me this outlet to share my story. Max and I are new fans since you have finally reached the Los Angeles market (at a reasonable hour). Take care.
(Max is a golden retriever/shar-pei mix, 10-11yrs old).
Dear Mark, I listen to your show everyday by streaming it in. I am unable to listen to it live do to the fact that I choose to work for a living and my job doesn’t allow me to listen while working. I am sending this in regards to my dog Jewel, she truly is the pride and joy of my life. I worry about the day I have to put her to sleep. It’s not fair that Dogs don’t live longer. I think it’s the Lord’s way of showing us that Death is a part of Living as painful as it might be. I won’t take up anymore of your time. God Bless you for all you do. We Love ya Mark.
