Rescuing Sprite is a true-life story about the love that grew between a family and a dog. Author Mark Levin relates how the pet became so important to him and the grief and loss experienced as the health of Sprite deteriorated.
Rescuing Sprite Overview
Mark Levin is better known as a conservative talk show host and author of books about politics. However, in Rescuing Sprite, he reveals another side of himself-the owner of a dog that he dearly loved and later lost.
In 1998, Levin and his family first adopted Pepsi, a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel. During the time he had heart problems, Pepsi helped him to recover.
Six years later, he was persuaded by his wife and son to a adopt another dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. Ite was the most beautiful dog he had ever seen and was named Sprite. During the next two years, Sprite and Pepsi were inseparable. The bond between the Levin family and Sprite deepened. They had fallen in love with him-with his gentle nature, his beautiful face and his soft, huggable fur.
Levin's Relationship with Sprite
Sprite became precious to Levin and family as well as with friends and neighbors. Even the audience that listened to the radio host's daily broadcasts came to know and love Sprite. Then the dog's health began to deteriorate - even as his spirits remained high and his beauty and grace continued to inspire everyone. The family tried to help Sprite throughout his health issues giving their pet the same kind of emotional support as would be given a human.
As Levin's daughter turned 18 and graduated from high school and his son turned fifteen, Sprite continued to become weaker. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2006, there was no way to save Sprite and he passed away.
Sprite's Legacy
The family was overcome with grief at the loss of Sprite. Levin was crushed and consumed with grief when the dog died. Friends and radio show fans and friends, including Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, tried to confront him. For months, he was overwhelmed with depression and guilt. For a long time, Levin avoided talking about the end-of-life care that had been given to Sprite. Levin has written, "I had also lost people and animals I loved before, but this was different."
But new hope came when the Levin family least expected it and that creates a happy ending to the story.
About the author:
Mark R. Levin is a nationally syndicated talk show host and president of Landmark Legal Foundation. He has also worked as an attorney in the private sector and as an advisor and administrator to several members of President Reagan's cabinet. He holds a B.A. and a J.D. from Temple University. He is the author of Liberty and Tyranny and Men in Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America. The author will donate a portion of his proceeds from the sale of the book to animal shelters.
Levin, Mark R. Rescuing Sprite: A Dog's Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish. NY, NY: Pocket Books, 2009
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