Hi Mark,
I just read your book Rescuing Sprite.  I could not put it down once I picked it up. I am a dog lover also.  It was a beautiful book as was Sprite and as is Pepsi and now Griffen. It was a very emotional and tearful story about Sprite.  My youngest of four sons left for college this fall and I miss him terribly, but in August, shortly before we took our son Art to college, I retired from my job, because I did not want to leave my dog, my best friend, Emma, (she is a liver and white , mostley white, beautiful springer spaniel) home alone every day of the week.

It is funny, because I look up to Emma as much as she looks up to me.  She is my shadow and my protector during the day while I am home alone until my husband comes home from work.  Everyday she and I take our long walk around our property, unleashed, and she has some favorite sniffs that she always goes to but then finds something new and exciting.  All the while she is running around, in close distance, while smelling every scent she can , she constantly looks back to see where I am, making sure that I am safe.  She is my best friend and is 6 yrs old.  I cannot even bear the thought of losing her someday.  I am sorry Sprite was with you only a short two years, but what a wonderful two years it was!  I look forward to another story hopefully someday about Pepsi and Griffen, and their adventures!
Thank you, from another dog lover,

Linda from WI

I do not have a sad story, although I have had many of my family (dogs) live to a rip old age and pass on to a better place – I guess in \”doggie heaven\”.  But I do want to submit a photo of my sweet little Calli, my Jack Russell Terrier. The reason she is wearing that funny looking cone is because I saved up the money to have her spayed. I urge all your fans, near and far, to do the right thing and have their dog / cat spayed or neutered. Their are so, so many dogs and cats just sitting on death row it is heart-breaking. Don\’t buy a dog or cat, adopt one and save a life!  And at all cost: have your family pet (family member) fixed as not to create more life that will only end up being destroyed in the end – it\’s the right thing to do, and it\’s far better than the outcome of not having your pet fixed. Mark, I hope you share my thoughts with all your readers as not only are you a pet lover, but you are a great human being.
PS: I never miss any of your radio shows on WABC AM New Yourk City.
God bless you Mr. Levin!

Brian from NJ

Mark, I received ‘Rescuing Sprite’ as a gift last Christmas. I picked it up last week and finished it last night. Needless to say, I cried each night I read it before bed. Your description of the dread you felt leading up to and after Sprite’s demise really hit home. I had a Papillon/Pomoranian mix who was only 10 years old when we put here to sleep three years ago. My wife rescued her from the streets of Columbus Ohio by putting an article of her clothing at the entrance of our apartment. When we returned, there was this cute little creature laying on our porch. It was obvious she had experienced some trauma early in her life, as she never liked children, would chase loud cars and motorcycles and cower when we would raise our hand without malice.

Anyway, as she was a small breed, she had to have her teeth cleaned every couple of years. Two weeks after her last cleaning it was apparent that she had gone blind. Her condition deteriorated quickly, as she was messing the house frequentlly, was very disoriented and a shell of her former self. We decided to euthanize her as her quality of life was nill. After her death and subsequent burial in the back yard, the tremendous guilt I felt was unbearable and relentless. Why did I decide to forego the test for her tolerance to anesthesia prior to her procedure? Why did the Vet allow that? Why did I let her gain weight to the point of being very unhealthy? Like you, I was looking for validation of my guilt by researching cases of stroke under anesthesia but never really found it. I miss her tremendously and look at her picture on the wall every day.

To this day, I am still on the fence about getting another canine friend because the memory of heartbreak is still fairly prevalent. The old cliche about time heals all wounds is so true. I really admire you and your family’s commitment to sharing your love for dogs in the shelters. Thanks again for the book and for making me feel like somebody else cares about dogs in a way that I could never share with friends and family.

Mark from PA

I just want to say that anytime I hear callers or yourself talk about  their pets or Sprite, I get choked up. I have two 9 yr old Border Collies that are starting to turn grey, get arthritis, and slow down. I didnt grow up in a loving intact family, and though I am married to a loving and devoted spouse, I have to honestly say that I dont know the kind of bond that I should. I guess I never really felt loved or loving, except to my beloved Border Collies babies.

Honestly the only unconditional , precious caring love that I have ever felt in my entire life. I wont be able to bear the loss of either of my dogs. I have been getting teary about that fateful day for years, at times when i look at them and our bond is so deeply felt. Kind of morbid catastophising, I know, but I fear and dread that day. I do want to say that I have decided that no matter what happens to them, that I will hold them in my arms until the Angel of Death would come to take them from me.

I decided that I wont opt for having another human being take their life by euthanizing, as I have promised them many times that I will always protect them from harm and I will keep my promise, even though it may be an easier or more humane choice to have a vet put them down. Its just that my promise will stand to the end, and if I go 1st, I have already made sure that my husband will honor this pact.
well, thanks for letting me share. I tear up when i see your photo of Sprite. Dogs are truly the greatest, most precious gift God gave to mankind.
(pls. excuse the messy bed, but my dogs get to lay on it just like kids)

May God Bess you greatly Mark.

Alli from ID