Browsing through the local bookstore, I came across Rescuing Sprite. As a animal lover and owner of two dogs, I just had to take the book home to read. I must say that your story touched me. My two dogs are healthy and bring alot of joy to my life, but I know someday I will have to make a decision on their life. Your book has shown me that there is a lot of loving people in this world that love their pets just like I do. I thank God every day for my family and my wonderful pets are always a part of my prayers.
Thank you for your beautiful story. Sprite will always be in my thoughts.

Jackie from MD

My family had two dachshunds. This story is about the fabulous Cleo II, who lived with us for 17 years, until we had to put her to sleep because of age-related problems. My brother John was born profoundly deaf. He learned how to lip-read and sign, and eventually graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He grew up with Cleo. By some mysterious means, she realized that he was deaf. Whenever the doorbell rang, she would rush at John’s legs, run around, bark until she got his attention, and would then lead him to the door. She would do the same thing if the phone rang. John would then attach his TTY unit to the phone, and try to pick up a call.
I know that specialized guide dogs for the deaf are being trained now. They require immense effort to train, and are worth huge amounts of money. However, Cleo—because of her intelligence and terrific empathy—somehow managed to train herself to help out a member of the family. We still mourn her. She had more personality than most humans I have met.

Susan from NJ

Rescuing Sprite came to me from a very good friend and co-worker. Even though we have been faced with the dying process of our cat (15 years old), reading about Mark Levins and his family’s relationship with Sprite touched my soul and spirit so deeply. Mark’s story could not have come to me by chance at a better time in my life than now. Animals have such a beautiful way of wrapping themselves around our heartstrings and they are always our cherished friends. Just as Sprite, Pepsi and Griffen are cherished friends to Mark, my cat is the same to me. Thank you for touching my heart in such a special way!

Connie from FL

The other day, I received a hilarious video of “talking dogs.” I haven’t the faintest idea how these owners have enough patience to teach their dogs to speak the phrases in the video, nor do I understand how the dogs do it.

However, I was surprised the other day when I was covering Blackjack’s bed with a clean towel (washed weekly, which he enjoys). I was talking to him as I did it, and asked him if he liked having a clean bed to sleep in. The entire time I was arranging the towel, he was stepping on it and making the usual grunting noises. Just after I asked him if he liked the clean towel, he made a grunt that sounded exactly like, “Uh huh.”

I was shocked and amused. Suddenly my ordinary and moronic dog was transformed into something resembling a human, and I love him even more for it. I also realize that it was just coincidence that his grunt sounded like human language, but that doesn’t make it any less endearing or special for me.

Is it the best thing in the world to feel like you’ve truly communicated with your furry friend? Uh huh!

Shirlyn from TX

For Christmas, 1996 , our Daughter gave us a beautiful English Bulldog pup. We named her Daisy Mae. We loved her so very much.
On December 4, 2002 we lost our beloved Daughter Julie Ann. We are still in our grieving process, but losing a child is like that. Daisy Mae became even more important to us, since in our minds she was the last physical link to our beautiful daughter. When Daisy passed on to the Rainbow Bridge to be with Julie, it hit us again how much we miss our daughter and how much we love Daisy Mae. She left us the day after Mothers day 2006. Some dear friends of ours have just gone through the almost identicl situation and we gave them your book. Bonnie said we couldn’t have picked a better gift.
Thanks, Mark. You helped us to help a friend.
Sincerely,
Jim and Judy from CO

HI MARK   WELL  IT SEEMS LIKE  YOUR ONE OF A KIND WE HAD A  DOG NAMED  SPARKY HE WAS A BRITANY SPANIEL MIXED WE GOT HIM  WELL MY DAUGHTER GOT HIM  WHEN HE WAS SEVEN MONTH WE HAD TO SAY GOOD  BYE TO HIM  LAST SEPT.  HE  HAD GOTTEN   A VIRUS  LAST SUMMER AND NEVER RECOVERED, HE GAVE  US ALMOST 17 YRS OF   FRIENDSHIP NEVER NEW A STRANGER . THE KIDS WOULD   DRESS HIM  IN T  SHIRTS  BALL CAPS  AND  SUNGLASSES. AND BOUGHT US MANY MEMORIES I WAS  REALLY  CAPTURED  BY YOU  SORY YOU  TALKED ABOUT  WITH  SPRITE AND CAN FEEL  EMOTIONS  OF  LOSING A  GREAT  FRIEND   LIKE  THAT AS WE  DID ALSO, THANKS FOR  SHARING YOUR  STORIES WITH US . I CANT PUT INTO WORDS THE WAY I SHOULD  WRITE THIS E MAIL  BUT IM SURE  YOU WILL  UNDERSTAND  THANKS AGAIN 

Gary from NY