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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Your book had me in tears many times but Ithank you because it was cathargic. Thank you for putting into words my many feelings.
Dear Mark Levin,
All the emotion rushed to my heart. The dog I’ve known almost forever is gone, and I don’t know how or why. Knowing that I couldn’t do anything about it made the pain more intense. Reading Rescuing Sprite helped me get through Jake’s death.
I knew Jake best. It was like Jake had an extra sense: The sense of being able to tell how I feel. When I got angry, Jake would come up to me. He would sit and lay his head on me. That always helped me calm down.
We went through good times with our dogs. We also had to go through some hard times. Both our dogs had severe arthritis, which prevented them from moving. We both weren’t prepared to see them go.
My family got 2 new dogs. They were so cute. I had to give them more attention. Jake always looked depressed, but I pretended not to notice. Then the day came. My mom bursted through the door crying. That is when I knew it was Jake. The dog I’d known almost forever was gone. I didn’t give him attention on his last days.
I felt like I had committed murder. It seemed like it was my fault that Jake died. He could’ve died from stress. Stress I brought upon him. There is no way to replace Jake. We adopted him after an earthquake. His owner’s house was torn apart, and had no where to keep him. We rescued him like you rescued Sprite.
When I realized that Jake’s death was maybe my fault, I felt horrible. I spent nights crying my eyes out. I acted as if I was talking to Jake. I told him that I was sorry. I told him what I did was wrong, but it did not bring Jake back.
Reading your book Rescuing Sprite helped me get through Jake’s death, by knowing that someone else went through almost the exact situation I did. You described the whole story so vividly that I felt like I was in the scene. I still feel a deep loss, but your book helped ease the pain. Thank you for writing Rescuing Sprite. It gave me the courage to talk about what happened, and it helped me to get through my pain.
Mikayla from WA
I have a 10 yr old chahuaha mix that is my buddy take her fishing with me all the time. Its funny watching her. I grab my fishing poles and she jumps,whines and barks with excitment . I just cant help but to take her.
When I’m fishing in a remote area, she alerts me to any one approaching my blind side she protects me. I know she getting up in age so I’m going to enjoy my lovable buddy and will continue to be fishing buddies.
Kelly from TX
Pounder was my nearly sixteen year old Miniature Schnauzer. She got her name after a visit to the vet when she was six months old. She never responded to her name we gave her “Schnicker ” after the German cookie. The vet said she was a pound overweight. My ex-wife said “oh, she’s a pounder!”. Her ears perked up, ergo Pounder she was ever after. She was my constant companion everyday of my life.
She saw me through a messy divorce, handicaps and disability. She was always by my side and even though she suffered through infirmity and heart problems as many Schnauzers do, she was always happy. It was heartbreaking to see her decline and she let me know it was time to let her go. On St. Patrick’s Day I had her put down. She took it like a champ. I have her cremains and picture and collar on my bookshelf by the front door. I still talk to her everyday and let her know when I’m coming and going.
This will be the first Christmas without her in sixteen years. God, how I miss her! But Rescuing Sprite has really helped me to put it in perspective. May God keep and bless you Mr. Levin.
Thank you,
Reid from CA
I had to put down my 12 year old Golden Retriever down today. He has been my kids and my best friend and protector for all those years. He would hand my 3 month old her binky back when she dropped it. She is now 7 and he was her best friend that slept in her room every night. We are all devastated. He was very unhealthy, and I felt he had gotten miserable, but I could tell he wanted to hang on to be with my girls and my husband and me. I thought I had prepared for the inevitable, but I had not. Can anyone really prepare to lose a family member?
Our other dog Brody is walking from room to room looking for him. How do you explain to a dog, that his buddy will not be coming home? How do you console a 19 year old, a 7 year old and your own heart? I walked out of that room at the vets and left my baby on a cold tile floor alone. I feel as though somehow I have betrayed him and he will never forgive me. How does anyone get past having to put a family member down? How does anyone live with themselves when you made the decision to end your beloved dogs life? In my head I know it needed to be done. He was miserable. We can tell ourselves every logical reason for making what is called a “human” decision. The “right thing to do”, but it doesn’t make us feel like any less of a betrayer.
I came here because I knew that the people who post on here know the kind of love one has for ones pet. I know anyone who reads this will understand the depth of my heartache. Does the pain ever go away? I am going to buy rescuing sprite. I hope that it will help my heart heal. I have requested his ashes, and I will keep them in a very special place, and close to my heart.
Diane from TX
