Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7740 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-06
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

About the Author
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 book 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.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction

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 toobrief.

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.

Customer Reviews

Very Contrived!
I found this book very poorly written, rambling and contrived. I am a dog lover and have had several pets over the years that have caused me great sadness and pain upon their loss. Marley and Me was a "novel" and beautifully written work. I see this book as a an attempt to duplicate the success received by Marley and Me but it comes up wait short! Pets are wonderful and if only many of them could live longer--their love is unconditional and that is well stated in the book. I just felt that the author seemed in many places to be talking more about himself than about the saga of the dog.

Excellent book
I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. Of course dog lovers (like me) will love this book, however, I also gave it to my wife to read (who is not a dog lover) to give her insight on why I am so emotionally attached to my dogs. I think Levine is an excellent writer (even though I disagree with EVERY aspect of his politics) and I would highly recommend this book. I think this book can be especially cathartic to anyone who recently has lost a pet.

I couldn't give this book away.
I recently purchased this book to read on a trip. The first few chapters were brutal: I was in tears, and couldn't even look up at the stewardess as she passed by with pretzels and drinks. I read on. By the time I was finished, I decided the book was not going to remain in my library: TOO DEPRESSING, TOO HOPELESS, TOO MEANINGLESS. I am a dog lover. Yes, I laughed and cried through " Marley and Me" -- but LIFE WENT ON. Since the book got such good ratings from other readers, I decided it must just be ME. When I arrived at the airport of my destination, I found a couple with a dog! I ran up to them, got my "dog fix", and then offered them the book. The husband said, "Don't give me that book! It's depressing!! I don't want it!!!!" So I was forced to leave it at the hotel with the Gideon Bible. Whoever finds the book and gets through it may find the Bible helpful in their hour of need.