My story is not about a dog but my Parakeet, Sparky.
He passed away 8 Months ago. he was so special and my special friend. This may sound crazy, But I could tell he loved me. I got him from a pet store that was going to put him asleep because he only had one good foot and couldnt sit on a perch. So I took him home and made a special flat perch that he eventually learned to use. He could speak 165 words and 17 sentences.
When I walked into the room he would call out and say “Sparky Sparky,what a nice guy”. and would hobble as fast as he could over to me. One day, I heard him say in a deep voice “The Mark levine show” , he taught himself off the radio because I didnt teach him. Anyway, Thanks for letting me tell you about my Sparky, I will always miss him and thank God for letting me borrow him for a few years.

John from CA

Mark,

I’ve just fininshed reading your book “Rescuing Sprite.” What a touching story.

I lost a dog in May of 2001. He had been with me for 16 years. As I watched him grow weaker and weaker, I knew his time was short but I kept telling myself, just a little while longer.
Besides, the meds seemed to be helping.

I had to go on a business trip to Florida for a few days in May of 01. My husband was left with Bruno and our other dog Brandy. Two days after I left, my beautiful Bruno went quietly under the deck where he died two hours later. I’ve always thought maybe he was afraid I had abandoned him.

Knowing that I could not handle all the meetings if I knew he had died, my husband told me he was doing OK each time I called to check on him. He wanted to spare me the pain of facing this alone.

When I returned, he broke the news. I cried for hours and I cried every day for three weeks in a row but the grief didn’t stop then, only the tears.

Bruno was special because he had been there for me in 1993 when I had found out about my X husband and the “other woman.” Bruno would jump on the bed when I cried and gently lay his big furry head on my chest and look up at me with his big brown eyes as if to say “don’t worry Mom, I still love you.” Read the rest of this entry »

Dear mark,
i have always loved you and your show. i am reading ‘rescuing sprite’ and am so taken with your loving tribute.
we now have 2 dogs. my first, a rescue named solita
(little lonely one) was brought home from cabo san lucas mexico several years ago. i visited the shelter because i had heard about their great work and compassion during the times we had visited. and then she picked me…i’m sure you know what i mean…and i had yo bring her home. i had waited over 40 years to invite a dog into my life, though i’ve been auntie janet to many. she is amazing. they called her a damation mix, but there’s cattle dog and other breeds in there too. she was raised with cats (she was only 3 months old when she came home with us) and actually purrs!
we have since brought home remington, a yellow lab, and they are best buddies. bless you mark and your wonderful family
fondly

Janet from NY

This is a day that I have been dreading. Today we made the hard decision to let go of Maggie, our 12 year old Terrier mix.

Vic and I found Maggie at the Wichita Animal Shelter back in January 1998. Out of the two dozen dogs barking their heads off in various pens, one stood out. A little 1 year old black and white Terrier with markings like a Springer Spaniel was quietly laying in her cage looking at us as if to say, take me away from this place…please. We were both drawn to her and after getting acquainted in the front lawn, decided to adopt her. She was unlike any other dog. She was long and low with short legs and a bobbed tail. She had a Terrier face with B&W Spaniel markings and long hair coat. She had a signature black “cow spot” on her left side.

We named her Maggie but she had numerous nicknames like Mags and Magzilla (when she played viciously with her toys during tug of war). She quickly became the focus of our lives and we were soon concerned with all of her spare time when she was home alone. After deciding on a companion for Maggie, we were advised to bring her along to select a friend. Well, it worked and Maggie actually picked out Marvin, our miniature Poodle, from the Humane Society Shelter. He was on his hind legs dancing for her and she went right to him. They became instant pals, rarely separated from that point on.

Now it should be noted that I would say Maggie was the alpha, very smart and quick to correct Marvin. Marvin has always been a little neurotic and skittish. He’s an oddball at times but a loving little guy. He won’t let me out of his sight but he always gave right of way to Maggie. They were such opposites in some respects. Maggie loved her toys, especially her AKC squirrel. Marvin couldn’t give a flip about toys. He is into snacks! Maggie’s favorite past time was excavating the back yard. She had several spots so deep that all I could see was dirt flying out of a hole. Suddenly, you would see here dirty little mug pop up. She knew she was in trouble. Maggie loved car rides on my lap. She wanted up to see the world. Marvin could care less. The back seat was all his for a nap. Maggie loved going to Coffeyville to see Mom & Dad and their Rottweiler mix, Bear. They were great buddies. All I had to do was mention the word Coffeyville and both Maggie and Marvin instantly would go into a frenzy. Read the rest of this entry »