Hey Mark Levin
I have been reading all the dog/animals stories that folks have sent and love each one. I sent your pg to my grand-daughter for her to read also… I ‘m the one that sent you a note on our little baby yorkie “Crickett” about her love of Ky chicken every day for lunch.. LOL she was an excellent hunter of moles she could smell them and catch them..She hated cats or she thought she did she would growl and bark if you just said cat…

There are so many stories about her…

For 2 yrs we tried to get her to sleep by herself on a soft palette pillow on the floor no way she would mk noises all-night finally after 2 yrs. we gave up and put her on our bed. Then she was quiet.. we never went anywhere without her.
anyway thanks for showing your care and love for your pets. And the stories from all your fans,

Faye from OH

Mark, in 1996 our son brought home a little puppy, probably 2 months old, he had found wondering the streets. Travis, our son, had just graduated high school and would be leaving for college that fall and he wanted us keep the puppy. We pondered and my husband said he had to be an outside dog.

Well, we named him Lucky, because he was so lucky to have me for his mama. We had two other dogs at the time, Concho and Rosa, they were Norweigan Elkhounds. They accepted Lucky into the pack and he was always so grateful it seemed, to have a home. He loved me so much, he would have laid his life down for me at any time. He was so protective of me and it was not long until he was not only an inside baby, but sleeping on our bed. I knew I was the LUCKY one, to have him to share my life with. Read the rest of this entry »

We are in the last hours of Lady’s life. She had her cancerous spleen removed in November, underwent chemo and now has it spreading in her abdomin. She’s slower but still aware. Her picture will not transmit, or I’d send it to you. This has been our family dog since my husband gave her to our now 16 year old ten years ago; my husband died on Father’s Day 2006.

This is a double blow for our daughter but the gradual adjustment has been helpful to my daughter’s acceptance of Lady’s imminent death. Even now with little energy, if one of us cries for any reason, Lady pulls up her strength and licks the tears away.

Katie from MD

A close friend gave me a copy of “Rescuing Sprite” after I lost “Seani”, my little Shih Tzu. Mark’s book gave me the assurance I needed to know there are others who have gone through the grief and questioning I was feeling when Seani died — that I wasn’t alone.

I adopted her from rescue about 5 years ago (or she adopted me!). Seani was a “breeder toss-out”, who could no longer have puppies and therefore, was expendable. Truthfully, I wanted a Yorkie or some other small breed of dog when I met her and in the process of waiting, I found myself falling in love with her little pug face, her fluffy tail that curled over her back and her big round eyes — one blue and one brown. I asked my friend, who was involved in rescue (and going broke), “What are you going to do with Seani?” “I’ll keep her unless someone like you comes along.”
That was it. She was mine. It took a long time for Seani to get used to not being crated or to being held in my arms, cuddled and loved.

She loved car rides but didn’t like to walk on a leash. She loved lying in the sun on the patio and warming her tummy, or just watching the birds and deer on our property. This was her “heaven”.

It was a very short five years for me. But when she died, the past five were the “best” years of her twelve year life! We laid her to rest in the woods that front our home, where our other beloved pets are buried. The tears still come, even as I write this tribute to Seani. She lives on in my heart and always will.

Thanks, Mark — and thanks, Sprite!!

Yvonne from VA

My husband and I just had to put our beloved chocolate lab “butch” to sleep. Butch didnt know he was a dog. He thought he was a person with a lot of hair. We had him for fourteen wonderful years. He was a big boy. Over 95 lbs, but as gentle a dog as you could ask for. My husband gave me your book for Christmas and I loved it. I think that you did everything posible for Sprite and he died knowing only love. My heart went out to the two dogs that got trapped in that swimming pool, and it took me a long time to put their plight out of my mind. Thanks again Mark and God bless.

Carol from CO

I just read your book “Rescuing Sprite” and it hit an emotional chord in me. Our dog of 12 years, Shamrock, was a Jack Russell Terrier that Santa Claus blessed our son with when he was 5. He lead a great life with us until cancer finally took its toll and we had to put him to sleep in May 2007. We took him on our RV trips on weekends and vacations. He even went with us to Disneyworld and stayed in the RV at the Fort Wilderness campground. We spent a few hours in the parks early in the day, but took much of the afternoon to let Shamrock enjoy Fort Wiilderness.

We too struggled with Shamrock’s last days and the guilt of ending it too soon. It was a very sad Sunday afternoon when my wife came to me sobbing after taking him for a final walk. She could see he was suffering and although it broke her heart said it was the end. We took him to a local vet hospital that was opened on weekends and off hours. We said our good byes and left him to finally be at peace.

Just two days before, knowing Shamrock’s days were limited, I had gone to the local shelter and picked out a puppy. She was supposed to be a Jack Russell mix. Unfortunately she was already spoken for, but I assured the staff that I would adopt her if the other family backed out. I was there bright and early the next morning to see if the puppy was picked up but the staff told me the family had not come back or called. Read the rest of this entry »