My husband and I recently received the book Rescuing Sprite as a Christmas gift. Actually, it was a gift for him from his parents but I stole it and read it before he could:) Anyway, we have two dogs that we have rescued (outside dogs like Kendall grew up with). One is a pit bull mix (Pumpkin) and the other is a golden retriever (we named him Jack of the series 24). They are both beautiful dogs and relish any and every pat on the head, doggie treat, or scratch on the back they can get.

Recently, I took my dogs to a dog park in Grand Prairie. There was a man there with two chocolate labs. My dogs were frolicking around with his and Pumpkin growled and tried to take away the ball from the other two dogs. I put Pumpkin back on her leash and threw the ball to Jack as he fetched it. The owner of the other two dogs came up to me and told me he was going to shoot my dogs if I ever brought them back. Next, he told me, “I am going to call the police on you if you don’t leave.” Then he proceeded to make even more of a idiot of himself when he protested that, “Every pit bull should be put down or shot to death.” I left in a hurry as he was very angry.

I have been back to the dog park twice. What I detest the most is the idea that there are actually other dog owners that are prejudiced to dogs different from their own. I will never know why that man was so mean or unhappy. He just seemed unhappy with himself. I could tell his wife was embarrassed by his behavior but she did not say anything. I cried the whole way home wondering if he would follow me to see where I live so he could kill my dogs unsuspectingly. I was able to forgive him but I will never forget how he threatened my dogs. Luckily, I have never seen or heard anything more from him.

Shayla from TX

Dear Mark,
I received ‘Rescuing Sprite’ as a Christmas Gift from my boyfriend Larry. It was the best gift anyone has ever given me, besides my American Eskimo dog Nina. You see, last year, I had to put my little girl Nina to sleep. She had epilepsy. I worked in an animal clinic for five years as a grief counselor, and even though I had helped hundreds of families through the process of the heart-wrenching decision of ending a pet’s life, I always struggled with the personal decision I made. I knew it was the right decision– but it was so hard for me to let go.

Nina had multiple seizures on a regular basis, and was on two different courses of therapy to try to stop the seizures. The last time she had a bout of seizures, she had eight grand mal seizures in a row, and the seizures changed her personality greatly. The doctors said the brain damage caused by lesioning was only going to get worse, and the drug therapy was now damaging her liver, and causing it to fail. She suffered from the seizures since she was four years old, and was now eleven, but I just could not bring myself to let her go, because she was my baby. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mr. Levin,

I just finished reading your book and I think I went through at least a dozen tissues in the last few chapters. I can’t believe how your writing moved me. I have had pets of various kinds during my life – dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs – and each and every one of them has touched my life.

All animals have “their way” of getting into our souls. Presently I have 3 indoor cats and am the mommy to six outdoor kitties (all neutered/spayed) as well. You were a true blessing in Sprite’s life and he is waiting, as are all our pets, to be rejoined with us in heaven. Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family.

Janet from NY

Two years ago I adopted a beautiful beagle from the shelter. His name was Kaiser and on Saturday I had to put him down as he was suffering from degenerative disc disease. I loved that dog more than I can say and I miss him so much.

Vincent from NJ

Dear Mark,
It is January 1, 2008 and I just finished reading my Christmas present from my
husband entitled Rescuing Sprite. Thank you for writing and sharing your experiences.

It will be the two year anniversary this March of the passing our then 16 ½ year old
beloved Jack Russell Terrier named Brenna. Brenna grew up with our two daughters, Erin, now 26 yrs old and Kacie, 22 yrs old. The joy and companionship she brought to our family was beyond belief and like you having to make the decision to send her to doggy heaven extremely difficult. She had been failing for a long time and we even prolonged it further in order to get my two daughters home one weekend (one from school at Temple and the other from another part of NJ) to help us celebrate her life.

My older daughter Erin who is a Vet Tech in Montclair and Verona and is well educated in
these matters told us, “mom and dad, you’ve made the right decision, it’s time to let go, she deserves to rest.” So, for two days we all reminisced, pampered, hugged, took photos, looked at old photos, spoiled her with food treats and cried. Yes, it was sad but we are happy we made the time to spend all together to help celebrate our best friend and
family member’s life together. Brenna, we love you and still miss you. Love, Mom

Maureen from NJ

I received a copy of “Rescuing Sprite” for Christmas. I could not put it down. When I had to make that heart-wrenching decision about my beautiful St. Bernard Sadie in October 2005, I experienced every emotion that is possible. Sadie was beautiful and surprisingly graceful for her size. She, like Sprite, was kind to humans and dogs alike. What a tremendous loss we still feel.

My life has been enriched from having dogs. I miss my Sadie, and the day will come that my other saint, Bonnie will go, but until that day comes I will love her and cherish every moment. Thank you Mark for sharing your beautiful and poignant story about the love of your dogs. Thank you for putting our feelings into words that are so perfect and so fitting.

Dawn from TX