About the Author
Mark R. Levin is the author of the million-copy-selling #1
New York Times bestseller
Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto. His
nationally syndicated talk-radio show has 8.5 million listeners and is heard nationwide on hundreds of radio stations as well as on satellite radio and Armed Forces Radio. His previous books,
Men in Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America and
Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish, were also
New York Times and national bestsellers. Most recently he contributed a preface to a book by his father, Jack E. Levin:
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Illustrated. He was a top adviser to several members of President Reagan’s cabinet. He is president of Landmark Legal Foundation and 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.
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 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.
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