Mark reads these comments

[mlf]

Mark Levin asked me to tell you that he reads all of these Rescuing Sprite comments and is greatly appreciative.

[hoodoo]

I'm glad to see he has time to get the applause and heartfelt feelings we have for him. Thanks for letting us know, MLF. It would be a shame if TGO didn't know we exist here for him.

[opaobie]

I posted this in April when Sgt. Josh was calling Mark and discussing bringing home his adopted "Sprite". Because of the tragic death of his Sprite, I thought it might be appropriate to post this link here, along with my deepest condolences. My wife and I have raised three dogs from birth through death, and each loss is singularly painful. I hope this story of our squadron's mascot in Vietnam brings some encouragement to all the Sgt. Josh types to continue the tradition, no matter the outcome.

Sergeant Tim Sumner posted this interview on the blog: Sgt Josh headed to Iraq, Sprite to America

That brought back fond memories of a similar occurrence during my tour in Vietnam, and it inspired me to post this story. It is taken from accounts written by several of my comrades and captured in photos they took, so I acknowledge their contribution to this post and don't claim credit for anything except posting it here with my undying love for our mascot and my gratitude for the love she returned to all of us. She served as mascot for all three of our squadrons during her extended "tour". Thanks to Tom Pickett for the bulk of this information.



Inspired by Sergeant Josh, Mark, and their Sprites

[steveH]

Our Yorkie dog Ceaser was humainly put to sleep after 18 years on December 28th, 2006. Mark saved the day....December 2007 I purchased "Rescuing Sprite" as a Christmas gift for my still grieving wife. I don't even know where the book is now, we have passed it on to so many dog lover friends over the last few months.

March 2008 we found another dog from "Yorkie Rescue". A stud farm reject, broken ******, huge kindey stones, pained look on his cute little face and $1300.00 in surgery fees to fix everything he has a decent life with someone to love him.

The book was great.

Steve H.

[bonniediane]

It's great to know Mark reads replies!

Minnesota has a rescue group: SAFE HANDS ANIMAL RESCUE. Through this organization I was able to adopt Cricket, an abused 17 pound, 1-2 year old female terrier mix rescued from a high-kill shelter in Kentucky. I have had her for one year now. In all this time, she still is very frightened of many things, but she is gradually coming around. She is black with brown markings on her face and legs, much like a dachshund.

She knows her name, but still does not come to me when called. She loves going for walks and riding in the car. Sudden and loud noises startle her amazingly. She has run away several times, when frightened, but gratefully, I have always been able to find her where she was hiding.

Over the 4th of July I was visiting my sister in Wisconsin with Cricket. Not surprisingly, fireworks, thunder and lightning are among the things which frighten her the most.

At 11 p.m. on Saturday the 5th, Cricket slipped out of her collar in my sister's unfenced back yard during her last outside visit for the day. Something had startled her. My sister kept her in sight, while I got the car to help get her back.

In her fear, she ran further away from us than we had ever walked. She went up a driveway between two houses and disappeared!!

Because of her personality and fears and dark color, I said to my sister right then that if I never saw her again, I just hoped that someone would give her a loving home. We made all the important calls and put up signs, as well as driving around looking the next day, but we had no luck. (She is microchipped and I called to let them know she was in Madison, if found.)

I had been reading RESCUING SPRITE, and that night, after doing some crying and feeling so sad and helpless, I decided to read more in the book. The section I was reading told about Mark's friendship with Rush Limbaugh--and his kindness and sensitivity in regard to Mark's dread of losing Sprite. It seemed like synchronicity that I found myself reading that part of the book just then. It gave me comfort in knowing how much Cricket and I had shared in the time we had had together, even if I would never see her again.

I had to head back to Minnesota Monday, without her. I was just heartsick!! By then she had been gone two nights, during one of which there were terrible storms! The next night there were more storms.

Tuesday morning I called my sister. She didn't want me to get my hopes up, but that morning Cricket was on the sidewalk in front of their house!!! She would not come close, but spent the day in the vicinity. Many neighbors had been alerted to the loss of the dog, so they were doing anything they could to help. (The Madison neighbors are amazingly animal-friendly). Cricket's fear disallowed anyone "catching" her. She is incredibly fast.

Finally, by the end of the day, using canned food and loving persuasion and patience, Cricket finally entered my sister's home. I could hardly believe my relief and joy. She seemed to be just fine, although hungry, thirsty and tired and cautious. A vet checked her over and agreed.

I was finally reunited with Cricket yesterday evening (July 21st). As I am writing this, she is sleeping happily on the couch in the livingroom with me. She has lost some weight due to her ordeal and is still skittish, but otherwise I think our lives will now be getting back to normal.
She now has a harness, to avoid the possibility of slipping her collar.

Although I would have chosen to offer my home to another needy dog, if I had not been able to find Cricket, I am so greatful to have her back with me.

Thank you, Mark Levin, for sharing your story of Sprite with us all. Also, I am so happy that you decided to add another member to your family. Griffen sounds just wonderful. Congratulations!!

As you said at the end of your wonderful book "we humans are the lucky ones."

Bonniediane

[RLTW1971]

My family always had dogs while I was growing up. We raised German Sheperds. I have always had dogs in my life, not just here but also overseas when possible.

About 12 year ago I first discovered Hungarian VIzslas. I found a breeder in Wyoming, Bob S, and brought 8 week old Hunter home with me. From day one, I thought he had multiple personalities.,,much to my delight !!! He was the most affectionate loving lap dog a family could have. LOved kids and babies. He was a fanatical bird hunter, and it took about 30 minutes to teach him all he needed tro know. He was so intense in the field, that his body shook. That was how strong his instincts were. He was fearless - gunfire, thunder, fireworks, blizzards, monsoons never distracted him. He slept with me every night of his life. As a pup he would sleep on my face or neck. He had one fault that got him into trouble - stealing food. When I would scold him for it, he would always do the same thing. Sit, look at me, walk up to my hand and start licking it. My response, "well....ok...just don't let that happen again...how about some cheese?"

At 10 years old, he had some problems. MaKe a long story short, I ended up taking him to local pet hospital referred to by my vet. They opened him up and he was full of cancer. It isn't always cancer that takes them, but often the bleeding I learned.

I remember they gave me a few minutes with him before they operated on him. It was a small room, like a living room with a rocking chair, love seat, very cozy. Hunter knew what was going on. He was scared and hung on to me. I couldn't handle it. I asked the gal to take HUnter with her to operating room.

I cried almost every night for weeks. I am tearing up now. I am not ashamed about it either. Man's best friend doesn't begin to cover it. I am not some old cry baby, trust me. I am 6'4", 250 pounds, did 22 months in VIetnam with the 75th Rangers, was a pro-kickboxer and fought at the Budakhan in Tokyo Japan, and still train in martial arts. I am retired and as crusty as they come according to my son, who in the 75th Rangers at Ft Stewart now.

We still had Cookie, who was Hunters sister, but two years younger. Cookie took it hard, and for months was depressed and looked everywhere for her brother. SHe stopped eating as much as before. Lethargic. So last fall, I got 6 week old Hunter Jr from Bob in Wyoming. Cookie smelled Hunter's butt once and ran upstairs and would not come down. That was how it was for a couple months. Well, HUnter Jr is almost a year old now and he and Cookie are best buds, they lie down and sleep together, play all day long together. Two peas in a pod.

We all think that we have a special relationships with our dogs, but they have a special relationship with each other as well. WHat I learned about old HUnter was his undying dignity and love. His personality never changed as he was dying. I think he knew it, and I know COokie knew it. SHe was always poking and smelling his ribs.

I think it was Mark who read a letter once in which a youngster gave the reason why dogs live such a short life compared to ours. IF possible I think that would be a great letter to post here.

[RLTW1971]

My family always had dogs while I was growing up. We raised German Sheperds. I have always had dogs in my life, not just here but also overseas when possible.

About 12 year ago I first discovered Hungarian VIzslas. I found a breeder in Wyoming, Bob S, and brought 8 week old Hunter home with me. From day one, I thought he had multiple personalities.,,much to my delight !!! He was the most affectionate loving lap dog a family could have. LOved kids and babies. He was a fanatical bird hunter, and it took about 30 minutes to teach him all he needed tro know. He was so intense in the field, that his body shook. That was how strong his instincts were. He was fearless - gunfire, thunder, fireworks, blizzards, monsoons never distracted him. He slept with me every night of his life. As a pup he would sleep on my face or neck. He had one fault that got him into trouble - stealing food. When I would scold him for it, he would always do the same thing. Sit, look at me, walk up to my hand and start licking it. My response, "well....ok...just don't let that happen again...how about some cheese?"

At 10 years old, he had some problems. MaKe a long story short, I ended up taking him to local pet hospital referred to by my vet. They opened him up and he was full of cancer. It isn't always cancer that takes them, but often the bleeding I learned.

I remember they gave me a few minutes with him before they operated on him. It was a small room, like a living room with a rocking chair, love seat, very cozy. Hunter knew what was going on. He was scared and hung on to me. I couldn't handle it. I asked the gal to take HUnter with her to operating room.

I cried almost every night for weeks. I am tearing up now. I am not ashamed about it either. Man's best friend doesn't begin to cover it. I am not some old cry baby, trust me. I am 6'4", 250 pounds, did 22 months in VIetnam with the 75th Rangers, was a pro-kickboxer and fought at the Budakhan in Tokyo Japan, and still train in martial arts. I am retired and as crusty as they come according to my son, who in the 75th Rangers at Ft Stewart now.

We still had Cookie, who was Hunters sister, but two years younger. Cookie took it hard, and for months was depressed and looked everywhere for her brother. SHe stopped eating as much as before. Lethargic. So last fall, I got 6 week old Hunter Jr from Bob in Wyoming. Cookie smelled Hunter's butt once and ran upstairs and would not come down. That was how it was for a couple months. Well, HUnter Jr is almost a year old now and he and Cookie are best buds, they lie down and sleep together, play all day long together. Two peas in a pod.

We all think that we have a special relationships with our dogs, but they have a special relationship with each other as well. WHat I learned about old HUnter was his undying dignity and love. His personality never changed as he was dying. I think he knew it, and I know COokie knew it. SHe was always poking and smelling his ribs.

I think it was Mark who read a letter once in which a youngster gave the reason why dogs live such a short life compared to ours. IF possible I think that would be a great letter to post here.

[NoPetrol]

Do you know Mark Levin personally, MLF?

[mlf]

Do you know Mark Levin personally, MLF?

I've met him at several public events and we communicate via email occasionally. But, I would not say I know him personally.

[CipherBee]

I think Sprite would like my post.

What the Liberals are Forgetting

... and I very serious about it!