Dear Mr. Levin,
My name is Robin and I am a 35 yr old avid animal lover. I also have a small pet sitting business that i’ve had for about 12 yrs. The reason i am writing however, has nothing to do with me. My mom was a geriatric nurse in a nursing home for 35 yrs before she retired. There was a patient there who had joined them because he had developed severe alzheimers disease. He no longer recognized his wife or his friends. He was a beloved local fisherman by trade and he and his wife were founders of the Southampton Town animal shelter and long standing board members of Bidawee. They had many dogs through the years but my story is about Cody. They rescued cody from the shelter as a young shy girl and she became a fast friend to them both. After george went into the nursing home his wife (Iris) would bring her everyday to see him and the nurses and residents or the nurding home loved her and looked forward to her daily visits. When george passed away Cody became Iris’ best friend still. I would go to visit iris at home and cody would greet me with a smile even as she grew older. She would hold it longer then one would think possible in order for her mistress iris not to have to walk out on the ice in a storm. She was a a smart girl who, even as an old lady, alerted her mistress to an early morning fire in the neighborhood. She developed kidney failure in her final days. She had a wonderful life with Iris and george and she was a hero. I must say that i am writing because although cody died 2 yrs ago (i was with her when she crossed the rainbow bridge)…iris still cries when she talks about her. She wrote a book about cody soon after her death and she paid for all the publishing and she gives all the proceeds to local shelter and bidawee. Its quite a good story. Read the rest of this entry »

I just read your book on Sprite , Pepsi, and Griffen. and I LOVED it. Your entire family loves really hard. I have so many memories of my Bruce Springsteen (Dewy) Overholt, Bianca (Banacos) Overholt, and Keli (Bear Dew) Overhokt. I loved them soooo much and I too kissed every part of their bodies to pieces. I still can feel them. My husband brings home strays like crazyi and I am talking cows, llama’s, cats, you name it. We love hard too! We always laugh at the fact that we “own” a wing at our vets office. It is very true that you can measure a human being by the love he gives his animals. I remember when I was little, even seeing road kill, killed me and I use to put y mom and dad over the edge everytime I saw a dead animal. I also remember calling the cops to tell them I was going to have to kill my ex-husband if he did not give me my dog back so they followed me there and made him return my dog! I think back all those years ago. I am 47 and some of it is hiarious to me now! Thank you Mark for letting me see you this way, I have a whole new out-look because you are and your family very kind people and your Sprite loved you more than life it’s self. Sometimes I would think you were a little arrogant but not anymore. You just believe in what you are saying and that is okay, I get it!

Take Care,

Robin from MI

Darcy thinks the holidays can be “ruff.” She’s my new 8-month-old puppy. I rescued her in June after I had to say goodbye to my best friend Aspen (14-year-old lab mix). Darcy is a bundle of energy — half blue heeler, half German sheperd. Our trainer calls her a miniature German sheperd. I wouldn’t want to be without her. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and joyous Kwanzaa to all!

Patrice from CO

Writing you this note, is in a small way, serves as my way to cope with the pending decision my family and I will have to make in the next 48 hours. Our dog, Ebony, is very ill and has reached that point of what I believe is no-return. Ebony has been a member of our family for almost 10 years. She was found abandoned on Easter Sunday, 1997 in our neighborhood. From that time, she has asked nothing from us except love, and has been one of the best mixed breed dogs I have ever had.

Within the last two months, she has become so ill, that she can no longer eat, or move. The quality of life for my dog is gone, and I have come to accept that as most responsible dogs owners eventually do. As a member of law enforcement, I found that my heart is hard when dealing with criminlas, but the pain of losing a pet, is never easy. Thank you for your story and God bless you for having the courage to tell it. I am not sure I could have.

Eric from MO

In the winter of 2005 we had a heavy snow year…Here is a picture of my dog and a half. I say dog and a half, because the dog on the bird-feeder, Carson, is my neighbors. He comes over when his dad goes to work at 6AM. He spends the day with us…then when my neighbor comes home Carson and my Basset Hound, Bubba, go to my neighbors house to sleep.

Neal from NV

Fifteen or Eighteen years ago while living in California my son and his wife took their dog to the vet. While ther they met a red haired shepherd type dog that had been abandoned at the clinic. They decided that he would be the perfect fathers day gift. After taking the dog they contacted my wife with their plan and she said no no. They kept him and named him Marvin. After many moves incuding Japan they and we moved to Virginia. They live in a townhouse and at age 12 or so Marvin could not get up and down the three flights of steps. They asked if I would take him because we lived in a single family house in Manassas. I laughed saying it took 12 years but I finally get my gift.

Marvin loved his new house and improved physically. He was a great companion. I had also slowed down and we spent hours reading with him at my feet. One day however he appeared to be about 3 years of age. An unwelcome visitor came to my door. We argued and he would not let me close the door. Marvin woke from his nap and came to my side. His hackles rose, his teeth were bared and he growled from deep in his belly. The visitor left quietly. My son and I accompanied him to the vet and we like you had probably the worst day of our lives.

Gail from VA