Marley and Me

John Grogan

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they bought home Marley, a wiggly yellow fur ball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barrelling, ninety-seven pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewellery. Obedience school did no good - Marley was expelled. And yet, Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behaviour, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. This is the heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life.

Review by Chrissi (241107) Rating (9/10)

Review by Chrissi
I sit here at the computer having spent the horrible rainy afternoon in the company of John Grogan’s Marley. I’ve laughed until I cried and then cried some more, my eyes are bloodshot and I am a snotty mess, but do you know what? It was lovely.

Nadine said that she had enjoyed this, and when she and I were in Asda last night (other supermarkets are available) I picked it off the shelf. This afternoon when it was sleeting and pretty gross outside, I picked it up and spent the rest of the day oblivious.

Now Marley would seem to have become a poster-dog for those canine reprobates amongst us that cause destruction and laughter in equal amounts and his antics serve to remind all of us who have ever loved a mutt of exactly what it was that made us fall in love with them. I sit here now thinking of all the dogs I have known and loved (and the times when I didn’t love them quite so much, but that is unimportant (there may be a song in there somewhere)), and I see all of them in Marley. And I think of them and their various gifts (even those presented to me having been stolen from the bin or the dirty laundry pile) and I smile.

Thank you Marley and John Grogan for telling us your story – it would have been nicer to have enjoyed it with a faithful four legged friend to snuggle with, but in a sense, they were all there. I am sure that your monument to Marley will be remembered and treasured by dog lovers for many years to come.
Chrissi (24th November 2007)