i have a black min poodle named colonel, the lady who does my grooming is married to a maine state k9 trooper. i
told sue that i thought the colonel was ready to become genes helper, i told her i had been training the colonel i said watch this i told colonel atack at this time he rolled over on his back for scratch, it was dec decided that the colonel needed just a litle bit more training.
thanks for a great book, thanks for a great radio show and thanks for landmark legal
which i contribute to every month, all the best to you and yours.

Alan from ME

Mark,
Wow! Your book about Sprite, is absolutely wonderful! God in Heaven inspired you to write this book, there is no doubt about it. It is like the Bible – it compares God’s unconditional love for we humans, when He (Jesus) died for us, and the unconditional love a dog has for his masters – and at times have laid down their lives for them.
I bought the book yesterday and finished it today. I bought it for my daughter Laura who lost her beautiful little chi. Nacho a few weeks ago and is still depressed and grieving over her loss.

I was never truly a dog lover per se, until my daughter insisted her Mom and I take the only surviving puppy (8 yrs. ago)of Nacho’s one and only litter. And now my little pal Gordy (our Grand-dog) is me and my wife’s constant friend and companion around the house. Gordy suffers from an enlarged heart and has what the vet calls a “honking” cough which keeps us awake alot of times in the night. I feel so bad for him at times and it so compares with the feelings you have about Sprite.

This book should be read by everyone who has ever truly loved a dog like your family has, and should be read by those who have not. It truly brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes as I read every page with great interest. I worked as a Deputy Sheriff for 24 years, and am not embarrassed to say this book brought me to tears, but what a blessing to read it at the same time.
God bless your family forever.

Ken from CA

Through tear-swollen eyes I am attempting to express my thoughts about your book and your wonderful companion, Sprite.
I share your love of Sprite and compare it to my beloved Bubba, a rescued Maltese. Bubba came to my office as a “street stray” at a time when I had two pit bulls that i feared would harm him. I tried desperately not to get close to him or open my heart to him…….but he denied me the choice. We quickly bonded and he became one of the greatest loves and joys in my lifetime.

He developed an auto-immune disease and after examination by a “quack” vet, was basically sent home to die. My son refused to let me accept his fate and referred me to a vet for whom he had once worked. Following his first exam, he was given an immediate transfusion to rebuild his blood………..with proper medication and lots of love and care, he regained full health and his illness went into full remission. He lived another 8 years and was truly a joy to all who came to my office …….a place where he became a fixture. He was first estimated to be 2-3 years old, bu tin reality was probably 6-7. I am sorry for the family who either lost him or put him out but am at the same time grateful that he wandered into my life. Read the rest of this entry »

Mark, this is about an experience I had today and I want to share it. I have already had my chihuahua Bella posted in Mark’s Dog Corner and I thank you. This is about Sprite. Last Friday, I got a copy of Rescuing Sprite and have been enjoying it for the past two days I have been totally absorbed by this wonderful story. Through Sprite, I got to know this wonderful family who rescued him and what it’s like to lose him. Let me explain this. Last night, I found out a friend and his wife recently lost their dog and they have not been handling it well at all. I stayed up reading this book having decided to give it to them to read first since they were going through what you and your family went through.

This morning came and I had gotten to page 161 and I knew I had to give the book over. So I dropped it off and took Bella to her favorite park. I felt such a sense of overwhelming loss and I couldn’t figure out why. Then I realized I felt as though Sprite had been ripped out of my arms too. Bella, was unaware. thank goodness. The walk was so lonely for me because all I kept thinking of was Sprite. We stopped at a store on the way home because I had to pick up something and there staring at me was the sign for Pepsi. Thank you for this wonderful book and thank Sprite and Pepsi for letting us to get to know the wonderful Levin family….Very sincerely yours,

Carol from NJ

hi mark love your show! this past april i was a bail enforcement officer in indiana, and while chasing a bail jumper i observed a doberman being severly beaten so being a dog lover myself i decided to rescue the doberman and take him home. he is the sweetest dog ever and a real joy to have as my companion. i am now a owner operator for a trucking company and snoopy the doberman goes every where with me i can only imagine how heartbroken you were when you lost your buddy sprite. dogs really are the best companion and friend. people like that micheal vick really want to make me vomit. by the way ive been looking for a copy of your book in my area and cannot find it. please advise how to get a copy. i listen to your show every nite. snoopy is the second dog i rescued from abusive homes.

Brian from IL

I know you’ve been inundated with stories of loss, both canine and human, and my story won’t stand out from countless others, but I want to do this for……me.

I’m a 57 year old ex-military brat. My father was a veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He died in 2002. Until that time, I had never had to endure the loss of a close family member. But, strangely enough, the loss of my Golden Retriever, “Molson”, three years earlier, actually made his passing……easier, if that’s possible. Having to put Molson “to sleep” (what a benign phrase, sounds so peacefull), I actually held Molson’s face up to mine and watched the “light” vanish from his eyes. I ran from the room to my car outside and cried like a baby. Uncontrolled sob after sob. I was not prepared for such a profound loss. The Vet was wonderful. She knew how I would react, and showed me the utmost respect. I’ll never forget that.

I guess the most remarkable part of my story occured three years later, when a stray chocolate lab, “Charlie Brown” literally ran into our house one dark, cold February night, and stole our hearts. We thought that someone lost him. He was about 6 or 7 months old and just a beautiful dog, …he must have run away and somewhere ,closeby, some family was grieving. We put up signs in our yard and at local establishments to try to reunite him with his rightfull owners. Strangely enough, as soon as we posted the signs, someone was taking them down. Why? Well, the answer was immediate….Charlie was in the “chewing” stage! I’d come home every night and total up the days damage to furiture, carpeting, etc. As he approached the $2,000 mark something totally unexpected occurred. You see, Charlie was not the only dog in the house. Molson’s “sister”, Molly (also a Golden) was the “Queen of the House”. and she didn’t take kindly to this young upstart who suddenly appeared after her beloved Molson disappeared. After all, she was 14 years old and set in her ways. She avoided him like the plague, and took up residence at the foot of our bed.

One morning, just before sunrise and the inevitable alarm clock, I heard a soft whine, almost unperceptable, but quite distinct. I turned a light on and saw Charlie gently nudging Molly with his nose and whining plaintively. I knelt down, picked her head up with both my hands, and actually heard her last exhale and felt her….go. From that second, I was eternally in love with Charlie Brown, and awed with the wonderment of life, death, and the ability of seemingly lesser creatures to sense the essance of life.

It was a profound moment, to say the least. And when My Dad passed, I was prepared. I was not new to the experience any longer. That’s how much Molson ,and all of my dogs over the years, have meant to me.
Thank you, Mark, for articulating not only that experience, but for helping me and so many others to not remain complacent about the world around us and remember what truly matters…..love and devotion to another being, human or otherwise.

Sincerley,

Kevin from TX