Dear Mark,
I am so glad I decided to read your book, Rescuing Sprite. I finally found a common bond with someone who could totally identify with us concerning our dog’s last year of life. Unfortunately, she shared Sprite’s disease.
Shelby was a beautiful boxer not only in behavior but also in appearance. When she was almost twelve she started to show signs of aging, graying muzzle, some stiffness, etc. But to our horror one morning, we noticed an indention in her skull just above her right eye. Our veterinarian said it was a weakening in the muscle and tissue. He said he didn’t think she was in any pain and she didn’t appear to have any that we could detect. He didn’t say anything about a possible tumor.
Shelby’s appearance and health slowly deteriorated over the next year. All the symptoms of Sprite were hers. After she fell down a flight of stairs we became aware of how her sense of balance was being affected. Thinking back on that event brings tears to my eyes. My husband and I rushed to her and just held her but thankfully she was uninjured. But the sad look in her big brown eyes was so pitiful. After that we put up a child gate to keep her from going upstairs. She still had to maneuver 3 steps to go out to the yard so I put a dog harness on her for me to hang on to so she wouldn’t go down to fast. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mr. Levin:
Last October, a work associate of mine gave me a gift that I wish I had not waited this long to read — it was the book you wrote of your beloved Sprite. I guess I was not ready to read about the loss of your best friend because I didn’t want to relive the pain my husband and I had gone thru with both of our dogs, Bingo and Gromit. Shortly after we married in 1997, we adopted an adult basenji from a rescue shelter in Hollywood, CA. Unbeknownst to us that he had separation anxiety and I couldn’t bear to give him up, we decided to get another dog to keep him company. Luckily it worked and for 8 years, Bingo (Basenji) and Gromit (smooth haired fox terrier) were the best of friends although they did get into some arguments over food at times.

A few days before Christmas 1995, Gromit at age 8 who have had health issues with his liver (liver shunt) since he was a puppy, unfortunately passed away in the middle of the night — a top team of specialists tried to revive him. The next morning as I arrived at work, I got the call from the vet. I was crushed. Gromit was not coming home to us. Worst of all, Bingo, who was almost 15 at the time was alone again. Although I adopted 2 more dogs to keep him company, his health was deteriorating. His vision and hearing was pretty much gone, he had trouble standing and his bladder cancer had returned.

Last Spring, my husband and I had to say goodbye to him so he would be no longer in pain. I am sure they are probably frolicking with Sprite and all the other dogs under the Rainbow Bridge having the time of their life! Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed reading about your life with Pepsi and Sprite, which reminded me of Bingo and Gromit who will always be special to me.

Laney from TX

We got our dog Cooper about a year ago when our first dog, Kato died. He was turning thirteen. We were so heartbroken. We missed the sounds of paws skipping around the house. My family and I decided we wanted another dog, not to replace Kato, but just because we love animals. We got Cooper fom the Humane Society and were so happy that they picked us to get to adopt Cooper. He is now involved in almost everything we do and living a great life. We love Cooper so much and he is like another child. My family and I will never forget Kato, though.

Heather from NJ

I had a 7 year old spayed female siberian Husky who had no health problems until she injured her anterior cruciate ligament. My vet does not do this sort of surgery so she referred me to a different vet. She came out of surgery fine, but died 3 weeks later from a drug called deramaxx. I loved this dog. She was the light of my life. I deal with the guilt every day wondering if I should have done something different. I held her in my arms as she drew her last breath and prayed God would take me to. I miss her every day. She just passed away on Jan. 11, 2008. I loved your book. I cried the whole time I was reading it.

Becky from OH

My wife and I used to belong to a Lab rescue org. We had a dog in rescue named Sparky.
We found out that he was abused by an older male by being kicked every time he barked on the back porch ( don’t all dogs do that?). Anyways we took him in . one day sparky and my Tess where sleeping on the floor and I bent over to pet Sparky and he snaped and took out a piece of my hand. My wife took me to the emergency room and they patched me up. Of course I lied through my teeth how I got hurt and the attendent (Wink, wink) left it at that. A few months later all of a sudden Sparky jumped up on my lap and licked me . A few weeks later he was adopted by an elderly couple. They have passed and guess where Sparky’s new forever home is now? We and Tess Love him.

Cary from WI

Mark, I am writing this with a heavy heart. My wife and I lost our adopted Golden last July. We lasted two weeks and adopted a beautiful Black Lab (6yrs old) from the Humane Society. Mark…she was a two time adoptee. We could not figure out why. She was awesome with little baggage. A month later we adopted another Golden from the Golden Retriever Rescue of Oregon. Our Lab, Molly ,was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the jaw in August (three weeks after we adopted her!) What to do? We were told surgery was not an option due to the aggressiveness, so we pursued a palliative course of radiation. She was such a trooper! We were given a rough timeline of 9 months. As you know, and have talked about on your radio show, they become a part of your life and a virtual family member. Well, last weekend my wife and I took our pooches to the lake and had a wonderful time watching them chase geese and ducks. Molly was swimming like an Olympian.
She dreamed all night Sunday! Yesterday,I took her to her Oncologist for her checkup. I had to drop her off due to a business meeting. I was fifteen minutes away when The Doctor called me on my cell. Molly’s cancer had spread across her jaw and eaten through the bone completely. She didn’t understand how my Molly could even eat. Never a wimper or complaint. You know what happened next. I turned around and went back to the Vet. We let our Molly cross the Rainbow Bridge. My prayer is that she is running and chasing geese and ducks with our late Golden and your Sprite. She was truly my girl and I miss her so.
Mark, I have not read Rescuing Sprite, but I am a devoted listener to your show and I have been in tears many times listening because I know that you love the shelter dogs and rescue animals as my bride and I do. Keep the faith Brother.
Blessings
Charlie from OR