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Sprite and Pepsi became fast friends. They did everything together, from rummaging through the trash to loudly greeting the deliveryman. And the Levin family fell in love with him -- with his gentle nature, beautiful face and soft, huggable fur. But on Halloween night, shortly after joining their family, Sprite suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the animal hospital. It was the first of many such visits, and the start of a long journey for the Levin family, filled with much joy and anguish.
During the next two years, Sprite and Pepsi were inseparable. And Sprite's bond with the Levin family deepened. Friends, neighbors, and even Mark's radio audience came to know and love Sprite. As Mark's daughter turned eighteen and graduated from high school and Mark's son turned fifteen, Sprite's health deteriorated -- even as his spirits remained high and his beauty and grace continued to inspire. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2006, the Levin family said their emotional final goodbye. Crushed and consumed with grief, Mark turned to family, friends, and fans for help.
But new hope came when the Levins least expected it.
Rescuing Sprite is a stunningly intimate look at the love between a family and a dog, one that movingly shows, in Mark Levin's words, that "in the end, we humans are the lucky ones."
The author will donate a portion of his proceeds from the sale of this book to animal shelters.
Mark R. Levin is a nationally syndicated talk radio host and president of Landmark Legal Foundation. He has also worked as an attorney in the private sector and as a top adviser and administrator to several members of President Reagan's cabinet. The author of the New York Times bestselling books Rescuing Sprite and Men in Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America, Mark holds a B.A. from Temple University and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law.
Visit Mark Levin on the web at www.marklevinshow.com.
Who would have thought I'd write a book about a dog named Sprite? Well, actually, about a dog named Pepsi,too, and another one named Griffen.
Every dog lover has a dog story. This is mine.
For most of my life, my passions have involved big goals and big thoughts. I've spent my career as a lawyer and broadcaster working on constitutional issues, writing about public policy, and talking about current events. I've served at the highest levels of our government, and I've even written a book about the Supreme Court. So why write this book? Because I am, fi rst and foremost, a dog lover. Few things in life have given me the kind of joy and, frankly, sorrow, as my relationships with my dogs. And this is especially so with an older dog we rescued from a local shelter.
We called him Sprite.
Sprite was found one day roaming the streets of Silver Spring, Maryland. We believe he lost his original family -- or they lost him. He was taken to a local shelter and later handed over to foster parents while awaiting a family to adopt him. We were lucky to be that family.
Sprite was so beautiful. He had big brown eyes and the softest fur I'd ever touched. As we soon learned, Sprite also suffered from serious and ultimately debilitating health problems, but he never let any of it get him down. Despite life's curveballs, he was a dignifi ed, graceful, and courageous dog. He was friendly to all, humans and canines alike.
Sprite touched me in ways I could never have expected. He taught me to better appreciate the simple and more important things in life. He quickly became an irreplaceable member of our family and a fixture in the neighborhood. Even with all his setbacks, Sprite was full of life. He appreciated life. He cherished every moment, seeming to understand that his time left on earth would be too brief.
I loved this dog. Writing this book was both painful and cathartic for me. Reading it may be emotional for you. I hope it brings you some smiles. I know it will bring you some tears. I hope, when you're done, that you are moved to hold your dog closer in your arms -- or in your memories.
Anonymous
Posted January 2, 2009
This is a wonderful story of how a person can get so attached to their dog. They become part of their family. It was heart wrenching at times but it shows the emotions that a true animal and dog lover goes through. Very good book.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2009
This book is inspiring and a loving tribute to Mark Levin's animal companions. He is an advocate of rescue animals, and states their case with heart. I recommend this book very highly.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 1, 2008
I thought that rescuing sprite was a very good book. I know how it is to loose a dog. Mark Levin builds up suspense and is a very good writer. Yes i did cry but it was all in all it was a great book. I love animals and i am especially a big dog lover.Those of you who have lost one of your dogs i highly recomend this book it will help you cherish everything that you have been through with your dog-good and bad.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 23, 2010
I can relate so well to this book. I really fell in love with the animals as well. This is truly a touching story. I so respect this family for adopting the "older" dogs that honestly wouldn't have a chance.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 5, 2010
I Also Recommend:
There are so many animal-lover books out there it's hard to know which one to choose. Mark Levin's book is easier to notice because he's an "out there" personality and we know him. That said, it is indeed a lovely book about a family and their dear dog, Sprite and one that I would recommend along with the following:
"My Name is Henley: my life and times as a rescued dog" by Judith Kristen.
"A Dog's Life" by Ann Martin.
Both are very different from Mark's book, but all will strike a positive note in the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Every animal lover needs to read this book. Mark Levin has told a story of love for an animal that anyone who has ever had a pet understands. This book is heart warming and brought back memories of the pets I had growing up and how much they meant to me. Levin truly gets the unconditional love an animal gives and how much the pet gives to it's family. A must read for everyone!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 11, 2009
Read it one rainy Saturday afternoon. Loved every word of it. Highly recommend - would make a perfect gift for the dog-lovers in your life. (Might want to keep the Kleenex handy when you're reading it... )
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 22, 2008
The book was interesting to read because it was it was about dogs. I love the front cover of the dog looks like my mom's dog Sparky!! and Mark shows real good interest that he loves and cares for a pet when he writes about them..
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 21, 2008
I enjoyed every moment of Mark's book about Sprite, Pepsi and family. Mark was able to fully capture the feelings expressed during the short but wonderful time with his special doggie. I took 1 day to read and finish the book and 1 box of tissues! For anyone who has loved a dog 'or pet' and has lost their best friend, this is the book for you. Thank you Mark for getting your story down on paper. Very difficult to do after losing somebody close. Sprite will live on and on through this book and not to mention the tree.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 11, 2008
My time is so limited and the books I choose to read are usually recommended by friends. 'Rescuing Sprite' was a book I enjoyed, but I feel there was a lot more we dog lovers were so longing to hear!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2008
Very beautifully written. A great read. A real tear jerker. Great ,Great
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2008
My husband got this book for his birthday a few days ago and told me I should read it. He said it would change the way I think of dogs. Before I read this book I never understood how someone could be so attached to an animal, but after reading this it makes me realize what unconditional love a dog can give to a family. I have totally changed my way of thinking. It made me laugh and cry at times and now I know that we will find a dog to complete our family the way Sprite and Pepsi have for the Levins! Great fast read and I highly recommend it to everyone!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 17, 2008
I was really disappointed in this book. Sprite the dog seemed almost an afterthought to the author. Sprite was a great, happy, easy-going dog. So are many, many others. After plodding through this book, I still feel as if I learned little about Sprite. I did, however, endure page after page about the author's health problem, how out of shape he is, and tributes to his wonderful, ultra-conservative friends in the news media. Please spare us the glorification of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. In addition, the book was poorly written, with choppy sentences and grammatical mistakes (did anyone edit or proofread it?). When I read the title, I assumed that Sprite had in fact been rescued from a terrible life. In reality, he was living comfortably with a nice foster family. All in all, a very disappointing, plodding book. If you want to read it, check it out from a library.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 1, 2007
I was extremely impressed with Rescuing Sprite! In my opinion, it is a must read book for any animal lover. I dare you not to shed a tear (or more) while reading this book!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 7, 2007
If you've ever had a pet who has since passed away, you will identify with Levin's story. I know I did- it made me very emotional thinking of my past best friends. Read it and enjoy it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 4, 2007
Rescuing Sprite is an emotional rollercoaster of tears and smiles, sharing with us the painfully short relationship between a dog rescued from an animal shelter, and a family that completely adored him. It is a story of love, compassion and the absolute loyalty found in the friendship of a dog. For anyone who has ever had a furry best friend, whether it be dog, cat, horse, rabbit, or any other pet, this book will touch your heart and remind you of why we are willing to suffer the incredible loss of their short lives, for just a few precious months or years of their presence.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 17, 2007
Who would have guessed that this tenacious radio talk-show host had a heart this big and beautiful!? What a wonderful, wonderful surprise of a book. Whoever lost Sprite in the first place really lost a treasure of a pet, but the fact that Mark and his family rescued the dog is truly amazing. The love Sprite brought to them, and the love they all gave to him, is amazing. And now their two short years together are immortalized forever in this sweet little book. Talk about divine providence. Hats off to animal shelters everywhere!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 15, 2007
I read this book in a day. I could not put it down. Make sure you have a box of kleenex with you, as you are bound to cry. What a great story!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 21, 2010
great story but sad
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A sweet book about a man and his dog, and like any other dog book it is sad, but more than that it's inspiring, it's touching, it's love. Mark Levin knows how to pull a reader in, I felt like I knew Sprite and I could eaisly relate to his experience as a dog owner. This book is an easy and inspiring read, a great gift to any dog lover.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Although Mark Levin is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster, he is, first and foremost, a dog lover. In 1998, he and his family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel they named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. They named him Sprite. Their lives would never be the same.
Sprite and Pepsi became fast friends. They did everything together, from rummaging through the trash to loudly greeting the deliveryman. And the ...