Dear Mark,

I read your book and had to put it down 5 or more times to wipe my tears. I am a retired cop who lost many friends on 9,11. I went through many months of dipression, I was withdrawn and had a very hard time dealing with what had happened and the loss of many friendsAnd then Kia my sheltie came into my life: She instantly lifted my spirits and brought such joy into my life. The unconditional love and sweetness filled my heart and renewed my soul.

There is not a day goes by that I dont thank god for bringing her to me. Im retired now and spend every day with her and will cherish every day of her life. Your book touched me, and made me love her even more if that is possible. Thank you for sharing your story and my prayers and sympathy is with you and your family over your lost sprite God bless you.

Dominick from NJ

Good afternoon Mark,

I just finished Rescuing Sprite last night. I had to send you a message to thank you for writing about Pepsi and Sprite. First and foremost – what a wonderful story! I have felt your pain and I have a similar story. The fact that you poured your heart out on paper makes me happy and it let me know that it’s okay to lose weight and be depressed over the loss of a dog. There are SO many who flat out don’t understand what it’s like. I think I handled my Grandfather’s passing better than I did my first rescued Greyhound named Petro.

I grew up with Schnauzers and wanted a dog of my own after college. I accidentally ran into a Greyhound rescue group visiting Petsmart one day in 2000. Two weeks later I adopted a seven year old male named Petro. He was beautiful, majestic, and as sweet as can be. His previous owner adopted him from the race track and had him for four years. The owner didn’t have time for him anymore. I knew there were pitfalls about adopting an older one, but there were benefits, too. Petro knew what stairs were, what mirrors were, how to walk on a leash, etc. These are all things that fresh Greys off the track are not familiar with. To make a long story short, Petro was out at a family ranch one afternoon, eight short months after adopting him running that full out, 40 mph Greyhound sprint when he broke his leg and barrel rolled across the field. He howled in pain. I FELT it. After an hour to the nearest emergency vet with his front wrist swelling by the minute, the vet advised that Petro be brought back to Dallas to a specialty vet. The vet saw Petro and after several x-rays, claimed that the reason Petro’s leg shattered was because he had Osteosarcoma all throughout his arm, shoulder, scapula. Read the rest of this entry »

Good afternoon Mark,

I just finished Rescuing Sprite last night. I had to send you a message to thank you for writing about Pepsi and Sprite. First and foremost – what a wonderful story! I have felt your pain and I have a similar story. The fact that you poured your heart out on paper makes me happy and it let me know that it’s okay to lose weight and be depressed over the loss of a dog. There are SO many who flat out don’t understand what it’s like. I think I handled my Grandfather’s passing better than I did my first rescued Greyhound named Petro.

I grew up with Schnauzers and wanted a dog of my own after college. I accidentally ran into a Greyhound rescue group visiting Petsmart one day in 2000. Two weeks later I adopted a seven year old male named Petro. He was beautiful, majestic, and as sweet as can be. His previous owner adopted him from the race track and had him for four years. The owner didn’t have time for him anymore. I knew there were pitfalls about adopting an older one, but there were benefits, too. Petro knew what stairs were, what mirrors were, how to walk on a leash, etc. These are all things that fresh Greys off the track are not familiar with. To make a long story short, Petro was out at a family ranch one afternoon, eight short months after adopting him running that full out, 40 mph Greyhound sprint when he broke his leg and barrel rolled across the field. He howled in pain. I FELT it. After an hour to the nearest emergency vet with his front wrist swelling by the minute, the vet advised that Petro be brought back to Dallas to a specialty vet. The vet saw Petro and after several x-rays, claimed that the reason Petro’s leg shattered was because he had Osteosarcoma all throughout his arm, shoulder, scapula. It was spreading and there was nothing that could be done. I put him down that day. I expected surgery, pins, e-collars, whatever – but not that. Afterwards, I beat myself up thinking “the leg could have been amputated! He could have had treatments! And rehab! What did I do?” I would bolt out of bed crying hysterically at all hours of the night. I took time from work. I, like you, made a photo album and kept it by my bed.

I knew that I needed help, and I knew there was a dog that needed mine. Shortly after I adopted Gable’s Cadbury aka Cadbury. A huge red and white male that was “released” from a race track in Corpus Christi. He was two. I picked him up from a lady in Ft. Worth and he had scabs everywhere, a huge puncture wound under his chin, you could count his ribs and he smelled terrible. I took him home, bathed him, cleaned his wound, fed him, talked to him and told him that I loved him already and he went straight to his new bed. I taught him stairs, leashes, mirrors, how to speak, and he is my best friend. I also adopted his half sister, Cassie aka Chica’s Gail. They are hilarious and the most loving dogs. Read the rest of this entry »

I just spent a “snow day” afternoon from school reading your heartfelt story about Sprite. I must tell you, you moved me to sobbing and teary eyes many times throughout. I felt your pain, especially at the end.

My husband and I have had several dogs in our 30plus years of marriage, and we’ve had to put down 2 of them after 13 and 15 years respectfully. It is a truly terrible decision, but one that we make because we don’t want our precious pets to be suffering. We had a poodle and trying to explain “Why aren’t we going to wait for Gidgy to wake up?” to a 3 or 4 year old child is unbearable. Then explain it to a 17 year old son, who is just about to lose his precious Trixie, a sheltie, after 15 years of loyal companionship. It’s nearly impossible, but we’ve done it, too. LIfe will go on and the sun will come up tomorrow, but it is an inexplainable pain.

We still have 3 dogs, a 5 year old cocker spaniel, a 4 year old Boston Terrier, and her 1 and a half year old Moxie! So we still have love in our hearts to go around to these beauties! We also know another day and another awful decision will come our way, but we still choose to have the dogs! They bring so much joy, and unconditional love, how can we not find more room in our hearts for them! Just wanted you to know how your story will help you heal from this broken heart. Thanks,

Glenda from ME

Dear Mr. Levin
Hello! How are you this New Year? I had to tell you your book was one of the sweetest things I have ever read! My husband bought me your book for Christmas. I also have rescue animals all 8 of them. About 4 years ago I fell and fractured my skull in 2 places. The doctors said I was lucky to be alive. Needless to say I had a long hard road to follow. My husband and children are the most wonderfull people God ever Created, But I had this fear and unease that I could not shake.

Well to make a long story short I started to foster for a Lab rescue here in Dayton. One day the Lady who runs the rescue called and asked me if I could possible take another dog for her, his owners were going to destroy him. He had went through a screen and was out of controll. (at this time I had 5 Lab puppies to care for) I was sick that people wolud kill an animal over a screen so I said not a problem, bring him home. Little did I relize he was comeing home for good. Well the man brought Jack to my store and dropped him off. As soon as I saw this big lug I fell in love, he just walked over and sat down next to me and looked up at me with those big brown eyes as if to say where have you been for the last 2 years. It might sound crazy to some people and maybe I am ,but this dog makes me feel safe. My fear and unease have all but left me.

I just wanted to tell you I understand how much you and your family love Sprite. I am not sure who needed who more- Jack or me. He comes to work every day with me and my husband . So does our 12 year old Beagle Lucy. He is the best friend I could have no matter how hard things get he loves me.

Jennifer from OH

National Review Online
Jan. 11, 2008

R.L.: “…[E]ven Sprite leaves a legacy.”

M.L.: “I have thought about writing a book about him, but nobody will care.”

R.L.: “Sprite no doubt taught you much — about the way he lived his life with the cards he was dealt and your family’s genuine compassion to love him and help him.”

M.L.: Well nobody would want to read about my dog.

R.L.: Sure they would . . . and your family’s life with him. It would touch millions of hearts.

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