I just finished reading Mark’s story about Sprite and the story touched me so much. Much of Mark’s story of his grief at losing Sprite made me think, not think really but feel, of my own loss when my best buddy Jake passed away in June 2006.

Jake was the most gorgeous and sweet long haired dachshund and I loved that dog with all my heart. He really ruled my world – and for those of you who are familiar with doxies – he sometime ruled with an iron paw. he was the most special, amazing, loving and demanding dog on the planet and I would have given my left arm to have given him more time, or more accurately to have given more time to myself to be with him. When I lost him he was 15 years old and I kept thinking to myself that I don’t even know who I am without my Jacob. Jake was a rough and tumble character but he was also an incredible mama’s dog. People who met him, including the boyfriend’s I dated (some for years), would try to get close to him and win him over and he was always friendly, but it was obvious to all that I was his special love. And he was mine too.

Looking at Jake filled my heart with such love that i often thought to myself it was like looking at my own heart walking around outside my body. When Jake was 15 he developed a bone tumor that grew at such a rapid rate. About 2 months after its discovery it had grown to a size larger than a softball and it was effecting his ability to walk. He was tired and panting all the time and we had to make a decision — let it continue to grow or operate. Read the rest of this entry »

Mark, I’ve just finished reading your book – Rescuing Sprite. What a wonderful story to share with everyone. We lost our first Golden to Balstomicosis (sp?) at the age of 5; now we have Lady, who is 11 years old and has arthritis.I can’t imagine a day without her, although, like your family, my husband and I will go through the same agonizing pain when she passes. God Bless you for sharing your story – may time heal your hurting and may Sprite always remain in your heart .

Barb from WI

Sir, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for making this space availible for people like me who care about dogs and cats to write about their pets and the love they shared. Thank you again and thanks to your staff deals with stuff.

Don from WA

Mark, wanted to thank you for writing the book. It was a x-mas present from my brother who is a big fan of your show. I’ve struggled with the events that led up to the end of my dear TJ’s life on New Year’s Eve 2006, wondering if we had done the right thing by our “big golden boy.” My bro thought it was something I might enjoy. He was right…if by “enjoy” he meant cry like a baby for hours. Well, anyways, here’s my story.

TJ came into our lives in June of 2006. We already had Alex, our 3-year-old golden, who needed a friend/brother/sister as both my wife and I worked long hours. Perusing petfinder.com one afternoon I came across a picture of a beautiful golden retriever at the Media, PA ASPCA. After showing my wife the picture and getting her permission, I inquired with the ASPCA about the status of “TJ”. They said there were some leads on his original owner and they had to follow-up before he could be placed. We called back the next 3 days until we were told on Friday that the following Monday he would be up for adoption. Monday rolled around and Alex and I drove to the ASPCA. We arrived at the ASPCA by 7:30, they didn’t open until 9. By the time 9 rolled around there were 10 people in line for “TJ”. I was the first and got first shot at him and he was ours (the staff were so impressed about how organized my files were for Alex they circumvented some of the usual procedures)…Don’t all dog owners have their dog files organized?

He was such a sweet dog. He was also very big, very unkempt, and very sick. He had picked up Kennel Cough at the ASPCA. TJ became acquainted with the vet early on in our relationship. From skin rashes to ear infections, TJ was a great sport while we went about getting him in tip top shape. The vet estimated him at about 4-6 years old. What a beautiful dog he was. He and Alex complimented each other amazingly. Did I mention TJ was a big dog? About 95 lbs of pure muscle. This dog was built to work. We had purchased a flexy leash for a 120lb dog. TJ pulled right through the lock on the leash and broke it when he decided that he had to have that squirrel. I’m a big guy, and walking him was more than a chore, but I loved every minute of it/him. People would stop my wife and I constantly to comment on our two golden boys. I actually started to call them “dos goldens”, then the “two retards” (such a funny pair of idiots they were), then naturally I shortened it to “dos retardos.” Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mr.Levin,
I feel for you. In November, we had to put our dog to sleep. He was 14 years old and had congestive heart failure. He had been doing okay, but one day, he was coughing all the time and couldn’t breath or move. We put him down the next day. This was sad for all of us, especially for me and my younger brother. I’m 13, so Waldo had been with us my whole life. We have another dog now. We had adopted her from the shelter about 10 weeks before Waldo died. We still miss him. So does my Grandma’s dog. Waldo practically raised her(we got her as a puppy), and he was like a grandfather to her.

Justine from IN

My wife gave me a copy of “Rescuing Sprite” for Christmas. I just finished reading it. I have never, ever cried so much over a book in my life. I could SO relate to your love for your dogs, and the happiness they brought you. Your sadness and depression over Sprite’s illness and death touched me. I love my two doggies very much too, and the thought of losing one of them terrifies me. I gave them both a big hug just now. Thank you for an emotional read and the inspiration to appreciate the time I have with my dogs a little more, since that time is, as aways, limited.

Monroe from MD