If you read & liked Mark's book, please post a review!

[barbarella]

Let's just say when I started reading this book, I had a tissue in my hand within the first chapter, towards the middle I had the whole box of tissues and by the end I was moving towards a roll of paper towels. What a wonderful story. Having lost a dog, this story warmed my soul and brought back so many wonderful memories. I've given my current dog exxxtra hugs everyday since reading it and he was already spoiled rotten. God Bless the Levin family and may Spritey's tree always be there for Mark. First book I've read by Mark and surely will not be the last.

[NTLB]

I see this is the weekend for idiots to post nasty reviews of Rescuing Sprite.

For some people it's just not a party if they can't leave a turd in the punch bowl. I'll bet even algore is embarressed about how some of these jackasses use the Internet he invented.
NTLB

[abeChristianson]

I wrote a review but I can't articulate what I want to say to well, so it sounds stupid. But I did give it five stars because it was an Awesome book.

[edmesko]

"Sprite", your wonderful book, and Sprite, your wonderful dog, give life to the meaning of life - the Gift of Giving.

[NTLB]

lazneeks wrote:
"Hi - I recieved a signed copy of "Rescuing Sprite" from Premiere Collectibles the other day, however I am not sure I should read it just yet. Two years ago on December 16th, I held "Spot aka Quirrelly P" my elderly rescue dog in my arms at home (amongst all the cheery Christmas decorations...ugh!) as he was euthanised. Honestly I am afraid if I read the book now during the holidays, the slow to fade memories of that miserable day will come back in full force. Any reviews would offer me helpful insight. I know this post is kind of dumb, but what I mean is in the end, is the book as a whole positive and life affirming?"

And then MLF replied.

"I think it would help you more to read it than not to. I found it to be very therapeutic!"

I don't know it it was or not, but I do know that when I've lost pets I felt as if I was overcome with grief, in some cases more than at the loss of some people. I had a few real issues with how appropriate my feelings were, was I unduly allowing myself to suffer these losses, was I losing all perspective.
Jerry Jeff Walker wrote a song that was very popular in the late sixties, and later appeared in the seventies called "Mr. Bojangles." One night a country rock band I played drums with played the song. I had thought it was a cornball fest, but that night I somehow focused on the lyric about "The dog up and died, the dog up and died, after twenty years he still grieves."
I nearly lost it. I had recently put down my beloved German Shepherd Max and the emotions were nearly overwhelming. I came off the bandstand at the end f the set and mumbled something about the cigarette smoke being really heavy that night.
Mark's book did bring a bit of that back, but it also showed a man I greatly admire nearly succumbing to a similiar experience. I'm not crazy, or maybe not any crazier than one of the greatest minds I know. It also showed me, as so many other life lessons have, that there is a time and place to invest any emotions, but you must move on.
If you're going to look to a book to give you a magic solution, maybe you should try Kabbalah. You know, change your name to Esther...
Anyway, it's not a feel good book, but more a mapping of one man's personal journey in and out of grief. It also gives you a charting of the stops he has taken and still takes to deal with the down side of gain, loss.
NTLB

[markfan]

I bought a copy for my wife and one for my mother-in-law. Both loved the book. I read about 3/4th of it. Couldn't read some parts---would bother me. At this time we have the 7th of our 7 adopted dogs in past 26 years. Twice we had a brother and sister lab/cross mutts. The first two lived for 13 and 14 years respectively. 2nd pair disappeared during the 4th year we had them. They got away from us, I know our fault, and we have absolutely no idea what happened to them. It changed our lives for six months, not knowing what happened to them. We did everything possible to find them for months, but nothing. Still don't like to think about what may or may not have happened to them.

[hoodoo]

God Bless Mark Levin for writing his heart's journey through Sprite's life and sharing it with us. It takes a real man to carry on through the writing/editing process after a tragedy so deeply felt. To share his inside with us on the outside is even more unique. A very special book which will touch lives for years to come. A great legacy for Sprite.
Five stars, should be more.

[opaobie]

I placed an Amazon.com link to Mark's book "Rescuing Sprite" on my website. I hope it brings many sales.

My wife and I raised three dogs from infancy through death during our nearly 40 years of marriage, and two of them died in my arms at the end of their long lives. It was almost as painful as losing a child. On both occasions, this Vietnam Vet Yankee Air Pirate wept like a baby while they looked up at me not understanding what was happening, with looks of bewilderment and confusion turning to peace as they found ultimate rest and freedom from pain. Our mixed breed "Puddles" got his name from how he reacted during thunderstorms. At the end, he licked my face one last time as I cradled him in my arms just before he breathed his last. I would like to believe he was trying to wipe away my tears.

One of our most precious memories, captured photographically, is of our Golden Cocker Spaniel "Mandy" when she was a puppy. She would race from the den into the entryway hall then up two steps into the living room and then into the kitchen and then "fly" off the top of the two steps back down into the den with her ears slung straight out just like Dumbo the baby elephant flying and look up at us when she finished as if to say, "Well?"

Our squadron in Vietnam had a mascot named "Lady"; a mixed breed cocker spaniel. We even outfitted her with a sash so she could wear her rank and medals, and she actually earned her Purple Heart from a wound due to enemy mortar and rocket fire, not a self-inflicted wound like John "D-Student" Kerry. She even went on a few combat sorties. I miss her to this day.

We continue to pray for Mark and for his family, and now for the many who have called Mark's show and those who have posted in this thread. A song that has given me great solice at times of grief might be of some benefit to you as well. It is titled "Home Free", and the artist is a very popular Christian singer and songwriter named Wayne Watson. I listen to it regularly.

....the lyrics to "Home Free":

I'm trying hard not to think You unkind
But Heavenly Father
If you know my heart
Surely You can read my mind
Good people underneath the sea of grief
Some get up and walk away
Some will find ultimate relief

Chorus
Home Free, eventually
At the ultimate healing we will be Home Free
Home Free, oh I've got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be Home Free

Out in the corridors we pray for life
A mother for her baby, a husband for his wife
Sometimes the good die young
It's sad but true
And while we pray for one more heartbeat
The real comfort is with You

You know pain has little mercy
And suffering's no respecter of age, of race or position
I know every prayer gets answered
But the hardest one to pray is slow to come
Oh Lord, not mine, but Your will be done

Let it be...

Chorus
Home Free, eventually
At the ultimate healing we will be Home Free
Home Free, oh I've got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be Home Free

Home Free, eventually
At the ultimate healing gonna be Home Free
Home Free, oh it's more than a feeling
At the ultimate healing
Gonna be Home Free

[moo1957]

I'm a newbie and just wanted you all to know I posted a review of the book at Amazon. I actually just finished the book today and loved it!! All the best to the whole Levin family - they sound like wonderful folks!

[Flip934]

My wife gave me this book as a Christmas gift and it is one of the best gifts that I have ever received. I am a dog lover and cannot imagine a home without a dog. The loss of a family dog cannot be measured and Mark poured out his feelings in describing his tragic loss. It was a difficult job that was well done.