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

[John_P]

Mark Levin's Book, "Rescuing Sprite" was an EXCELLENT book and both my Wife and I read it. I commend Mark on his courage to be able to sit down and write about what happened to he and his family after such a gut-wrenching tragedy in losing an animal he loved so much!
I want to personally thank him for sharing his experience with all of us! And I want Mark Levin to know that in reading his book, "Rescuing Sprite" it gave me strength to deal with how we lost our cat Buddy.

As I wrote in another section of the Forum, my Wife and I lost our cat Buddy about one year ago. The story of how we got him and what happened is very similar to what happened with Mark and his beloved pup, Sprite.

Anyone, including the IDIOTS on that website that ridicule, criticize or cannot understand what Mark or any other pet owner goes through in losing a beloved pet, IMHO, are cold, heartless people whom I personally have no use for whatsoever! And as we all know, in this world today, there are plenty of people like that!

One other point I want to make is I love animals more than I love ALOT of human beings in this world!

Again, my sincere thanks to Mark Levin for writing and giving us all such a great book in "Rescuing Sprite!"

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Sincerely,

John_P

[88BuckeyeGrad]

I read it. I related to a lot of the emotions and experiences that Mark Levin went through. I felt his love and pain. But, to be honest, it wasn't a very good book.

We kind of got the idea how much he loved Sprite early on. But he went on and on and on about how much he loved Sprite, and how great a dog Sprite was etc. etc. etc. It became tiring. I wanted more story and less of the same monotonous praise of poor Spritey.

And I'm a dog guy. My wife and I adopted two mutts as puppies. We raised them as our children and had to put them down at age 13 and 15. It sucked. But if I chose to write a book about my experiences, I wouldn't repeat 9,000 times how much I loved my dogs. I think the reader would understand how much I loved my dogs just from the stories and the basic interaction with them.

I'm not sorry I bought his book. I have loaned it out to friends. Perhaps it speaks to others more than me. If you love dogs, like I do, you'll find things in the book that you can relate to and enjoy. It will make you recall emotional events.

But if you are just a lover of great books. This isn't on the list.

88

[mlf]

Well, I don't know what book you read. Didn't sound like the one I read. But, that's your opinion, so whatever.

[jray]

I liked Rescuing Sprite a lot. It allowed me to take a mental break from obsessing about politics. It was nice to see the non-political side of Mark. It's those details he slips in besides dogs or politics that impressed me. He doesn't let politics consume him. He's an everyman it would seem (a very smart everyman at that). It was just a quick refreshing book.

[mp3debra]

I wanted to let Mark and his family know that his book Rescuing Sprite, has touched my heart and I haven't cried that hard since the days of watching Lassie on tv as a child, I have a Basset Hound that I bought from a breeder last Aug. 2007, and this past January, my dog might have LCP which is a hip dissorder, and she has been on the same medication that Sprite has been on for his Arthritis, they will be changing medication soon, I hoping that it's just his legs and bones growing too fast, he said that there was a chance that it maybe that instead of LCP, I just wanted him to know that I think he and his family are just wonderful for taking in older dogs, and giving them the love and chance of a new life instead of death and all alone...you have touched my heart and I am sure so many more out there thanks again...from a Dog Lover in Michigan

[LovesTerriers]

I lost my Airedale Terrier in November of 2007. He had been slowly declining and our kitchen was a mini-first aid station. I decided that I would put my dog to sleep if he was suffering or not enjoying life. I also knew I would do anything to give my dog a good life while he chose to stay, including changing diapers and putting blankets on the floor to keep him clean and comfortable. He purred like a cat when he was happy and he would head-butt those he really adored. He wore a tux at our wedding reception. He knew the difference between when I was bored or when I was sad. Whenever we laughed, he barked to join in. We sang Happy Birthday almost daily because it made him howl and it was a riot.

Our dog died at home the day before we had an appointmet to put him to sleep. I slept beside him and told him it was okay to go. I felt lucky that he was with me and went on his own terms. My husband bought the book a few days after we lost our dog. I wasn't ready to read it right away. I picked it up it a few months later and finished it in one day. I loved the way Mark shared something so personal. I'm sorry I didn't listen to his show until after reading the book. Once I could relate to him, I wanted to know more about him. My husband faithfully listens to the show all the time.

I can't say that I am "healed" by the book but I find it comforting. My journey is a little less painful after reading it. If you have lost a pet, "Sprite" is the book to read. This is a book about loss and then hope. You don't have to lose a dog (cat, bunny, hamster, horse..any animal applies) to get something from the chapters. A loss is still a loss and Mark makes it okay to feel like a wreck over the death of a pet. There are one or two pages I couldn't bare to read but it was easy to skip and continue. I am still devasted at the loss of my dog and I have moments that are hard to explain. The wonderful thing is Mark "gets" it and I wouldn't have to say anything. I will see an old toy or look at a picture or see someone walking their dog and remember how special my dog was.

I appreciated Mark's willingness to bare his soul. I understood how incredibly sad he was and it made me have a lot of empathy for him. Sometimes I will reread certain passages of the book just to remind myself that someone else besides my family can completely understand how painful it is to loose a pet. They are not "just" animals. If I told somone I lost my 14 year-old son, anyone would understand. My "son" had 4 legs and was furry. When I tell some people about losing my dog, they seem surprised that I am so crushed about losing just a pet.

I am almost ready to get another Airedale. I want to thank Mark for writing the book and also for not quitting his job. If I had to get trapped in an elevator with someone, I would choose Mark. It would be awesome to tell him in person how much his loss helped me cope with mine.

[oaksfan]

I just finished this book, could not put it down, but you will need the tissues. I am a dog lover, and have my own mixed breed Furbaby, named Rocky. We dearly love him, and I know the time will come for him too, but I hopefully it is a ways away. He is 5 1/2 and we have had him since he was 5 weeks old. He doesn't know he is a dog. Mark, my heart broke for you and your family. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.

[johnmeissner]

I absolutely loved the book! It was a Christmas gift, but didn't pick it up until about three weeks ago. It was funny, charming, sad and uplifting.

I have had four dog friends pass over the Rainbow Bridge and not a day goes by that I don't think of each one of them.

Thanks for your book Mark. It was wonderful!

[susang7]

Love, love, love the book. Our family of 7 has only had one dog and he ended up turning aggressive on our 10 year old. It was very devastating. We were able to give him to a bachelor friend of ours and the dog is very happy in a one man home. My husband would not let us have dogs for awhile because of his loss of dogs when he was younger, so painful for him. I have found a two year old lab who I thin would fit our family. I hope it works out. I am having to do what your wife did and sneak and see him. We need another precious guy to love like this. Your book inspired me to look out of the puppy box and get someone really great. signed susang7

[dalesrfan]

I have read his book and would like to offer some comments. I am a 39 yr wht male. I am a conservative. (You libs read a little more) I am a new fan of Mark as I did not know his voice until a yr or so ago. My aunt bought me this book and I was reluctant to read it as I thought it would be sad, as I am an animal lover. My wife snagged it and started reading on a Sat morning while I was busy with Saturday stuff. Around lunch I walked in to see her with tears in her eyes. Of course I poked fun at her! She didn't talk a whole lot for the rest of the day. This is when I knew she saw something that impacted her. My aunt, the one who sent it to me also had a hard time. This threw a flag.

I have to be honest. I started the book, sitting on the toilet. I didn't do a whole lot of talking that day. I couldn't put it down. As I read and teared and watched my wife and dog and life walk around I came to some conclusions. I am a tough guy. 11 yrs of honorable service as a Marine. (libs hold on I'll get back to you)

Since reading Marks book it became so much more to me then about Sprite. It has made me open my eyes to that, in which I love. Yes I love my dog Sparkie. Yes I love my wife Heather.

I cried yes. I finished Marks book with tears. I also finished Mark’s book with hope. I didn’t talk much after I read this. I thought about so many things. I thought about the things I take for granted.

As a “BIG OLD MARINE” I have had may “required readings”. This one got by me and I tried to avoid it.

Marks Book hit a spot in me that no one can imagine. If I had a “bucket list” it would be to embrace him. A book about Sprite brought me back to life.

John Vass