Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog [Hardcover]

I have just finished this book, and I felt as though I have been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last 3 days. This is testemant to how good this book is - as the title of my review states, this book has captured the joy and the pian involved in having a faithful friend. Grogan has managed to illustrate how all dogs have their own unique personalities, and how they are able to utterly transform our lives.

When I was growing up we had a black pedigree Labrador - he was a rescue dog - and he was the world to me. He was with me all through my school years. Reading about the antics of Marley, I was reminded just how loyal dogs are to their owners; how much joy they bring but also how much comittment they are.

This book made me laugh out loud - so much so that in parts I was crying from laughing so hard - and it made me cry buckets at the end. While the majority of the book is a bit of fun, relating the behaviours of a "loopy" dog, there is a serious point at the end. Grogan points out that the loyalty and unconditional love that dogs show their owners should be sought by the owners in their own day to day lives. To find unconditional love to the same extent, but from another person, is a very hard thing to find indeed - people are much too selfish.

As another reviewer said, this book made me wish that I could have encountered Marley, he sounds like a fantastic dog. It has also made me remember my own dog, and the treasured memories I have of him. I wonder if they are both up there, in doggy heaven, causing chaos??...... :-)

Don't ever confuse Lassie with Marley. Minding was something Marley couldn't quite manage - this is despite obedience school and concerted efforts by his adoptive parents, John and Jenny. Marley was a Lab with few of a Labrador Retriever with few of a Lab's characteristics. He was 97 pounds of almost non-stop accidents waiting to happen. Actually, John and Jenny wouldn't have had him any other way nor would we. His heart was huge and his love boundless despite his lack of social graces (sniffing crotches is definitely unacceptable as is swallowing costly uneatable items).

In retrospect, John can remember Jenny's reasoning - they were newly married and she thought having a puppy would be good training to caring for children when they came along. He writes, "If Jenny really only wanted a dog to hone her parenting skills, I would have tried to talk her off the ledge and maybe placate her with a goldfish."

They both had full-time jobs and knew that a dog was a large responsibility. But, they both also had happy memories of having a dog when they were children. So, their decision was made and Marley was their pick of the wriggling, furry litter. Little did they know. (Even though upon first meeting Marley all but chewed his way through John's watchband.)

"Marley & Me" is so much more than the story of a lovable canine, it's the story of a family - how they grew together, their celebrations and their griefs. It's also a tale sure to provoke both laughter and tears.

I couldn't put this book down. It was hilarious and touching all at the same time. A true story of man's best friend, and all the reasons why children should grow up with a dog. It charts the life story of a dog with a mischievous heart of gold, right from puppyhood through to the very end - warning, you may need to take a few deep breaths before reading that part!

The author has spared no emotional expence in showing us a few life lessons on love and, it's close relative, happiness.