The bumper sticker on my car reads “Lord Help Me Be the person my dog thinks I am”

My dogs are my best friends. They always love you. They love you unconditionally.
Saw another bumper sticker “Republicans treat people like dogs. Democrats treat dogs like people” Gee I always thought I was a Republican, but by this defintion I guess I’m a Democrat.

Kelli from CA

Two years ago I lost my father to complications of Diabetes. three weeks after that my mother in law was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My mother in law has livved with me for 20 years. Five months prior to this news we had to put down our 16 year old Border Collie Mack who was one of the most loyal and kindest dogs you could imagine. Due to all this misfortune we experienced in such a short time my wife and motheri in law were not very recptive to a new dog entering our lives. We have a city run dog shelter I pass by weakly and would sneak visit to get my weekly dog fix. Upon one of my visits there was a dog that really stuck out to me. When I walked pass his cage he sat cocked his head and put his paw out on the fence. He immediatly made a connection with me. I adopted him on the spot. Upon arriving home I really was not sure what kind of reception both of us would get. When I opened the door and brought him in My mother in law lit up like a Christmas tree and fell in love with him right on the spot. This was a little of a surprise for me beacuse she is not a very demonstrative person who always felt that an animals place was on the floor and out of her way. For a woman who has been dealing with radiation therapy for weeks now it was the best medicine that she could have been given. Since the arrival of Riley we have noticed that she has connected with him as she has never connected to any of her previous pets and his connection to her is equally strong. Since the adoption of Riley two years have passed and the bond between my mother in law and him are truly a thing to behold. My mother in law in the past two weeks has taken a turn for the worse. we as a family are trying to keep her hame and as comfortable as possible. Still through all the pain and discomfort she still lights up like that Christmas Tree when he enters the room. I know some think that animals can sense something may be wrong before we can. Riley is in bed with my mother in law laying at her feet constantly. When ever me move her or assist her he is right there making sure we are doing the right thing. God brought Riley into our life at a very needy time and was the best medicine that my mother in law Marge ever could of received. The only thing God forgot to give Riley was a pair of wings because He is and always will be Marges Guardian Angel with Paws.

Tom from IN

Dear Mark,

My wife and I were just remarking today about Saving Sprite. We are both fans. And, like you, we also rescued our black lab, Penny from a shelter over ten years ago. We are now working through the anguish of the end of Penny’s life.

Without imparting all of the details, Penny started declining suddenly about three weeks ago. After several subsequent trips to the vet, we learned that she had a very fast-acting and most lethal form of cancer. She died last night at home with us. I stroked and comforted her in her last moments as my wife and eight-year-old daughter looked on. It was the least I could do. And it was all I could do, as her breathing slowed and then stopped.

Penny lived to please. She was the most loyal and temperate creature. Even in the last day, when she was totally miserable, she still strained to show happiness by wagging her tail (feeble as it was) when I came near or said her name. Penny lived joyfully and stoutheartedly until the very end. And it was as if her life’s mission was to keep OUR spirits up.

Now, in the void of her absence, our spirits are low. We listen to you with joy though. And it has been cathartic to write this to you in the memory of our cherished dog, Penny.

Rick & Kate from TX

Dear Mark,
My husband bought me your book this Christmas. I took it along on our recent winter vacation and started reading it on the plane and could not put it down! I completed the book on the beach in Aruba. Needless to say, I was crying like a baby. We had a golden retriever named Honey for 14 years and now have a yellow lab named jack for 12, so I can really relate. Not only did I love the stories about Pepsi and
Sprite, but I felt that I got to know you and your family. I have to say you are all amazing.
We listen to you on the radio and love your show, but I now can picture you in your basement office with the dogs outside during the show. I have alot of admiration for you and your family for how you love and care for your pets. Thank you for sharing them with me.

Maryann from NJ

I have not stopped crying since reading your book about Sprite.My Yellow Lab 7 1/2 yrs old had cancer of the jaw and skull and we put him to sleep Aug 12th. did not want to give him chemo and radiation. I am up to page 190 and have cried fior 2 days so far. hope I can finish the book. Read Marley book also. both good reading. I have since gotten a Labradoodle opup he is 9mos. oldam a senior citizen and did not realize how much energy you need for a puppy. have been married 51 years and always had a dog. just love them all. cats too. thank you for writing about your loving animals they sound almost human. I know that feeling as my lab was like that understood all we talked about. then my hubby and I had to spell certain phrases. Now this puppy is understanding certainwords we say. Be well I want you to understand that we are democrats but started listening to 790 AM when oj simpson trial started. Michael Jackson was on at the time he was not a republican. I get annoyed with all the talking about opposite party don’t really know why I continue to listen but when I can’t I jjust urn on music. you really start off and am so amazed oif the things you say some may be true but I want you to know that I am not very wise politically. would never get in any conversations because I can never back up why I think I like whomever so I stay neutral. but you are frank abiout facts but they astound me at times. be well and hope I can finish the book without crying.

Jeanette from CA

Dear Mr. Levin,
I have just finished reading Rescuing Sprite and thank you for sharing your love of your dogs and also the pain of their loss. I lost my beloved Golden Retriever, Solomon (“Solly”), in March of 2007 when I was in Vietnam. I went to Vietnam with a group called Tours of Peace Vietnam Veterans. My late husband was a Vietnam Vet. I left for Vietnam knowing that my Solly had aggressive bone cancer and was on heavy pain medication. This trip to Vietnam was very important to me because my husband had died from complications of treatment for a rare form of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (cancer probably Agent Orange related) and I knew it would be a healing journey for me. There was no question that I couldn’t go. I left my Solly in the care of my wonderful pet sitter, Loretta, and my caring veterinarian, Tim, who both knew my wishes if Solly should take a turn for the worse while I was gone . Upon my return home I learned my Solly was unable to get up and walk two days after I left and Loretta knew that “the time had come”. She took him to the vet and they sat on the floor with Solly and stroked his beautiful soft, golden fur telling him how much my husband and I loved him and what a wonderful life he had lived. She told me 30 minutes went by before they could say their “good-byes” to Solly. When I returned home, I found on my dining room table, the beautiful blue urn my vet had picked out for Solly’s ashes. Inside a sympathy card I found a portion of Solly’s beautiful fur that Loretta had thoughtfully clipped for me to save. His collar and leash were lying by the urn. I started to cry, of course, both for the loss of my beloved friend but also for knowing that he wasn’t alone during his final moments on this earth. I had made my journey to Vietnam knowing that I might not see my Solly alive again and went with a heavy heart. I returned home with the beginnings of a soul that knew healing could begin again.

Carolyn from WA