I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to any animal lover. This a very, very good story of owning an pet and all the love, aggravation and heartbreak that usually comes with having one. The movie is coming out in December of 2008.

I love dog books and this one is very entertaining. It is a must read!! Get it before the movie comes out!!

After reading so many crime novels, murder mysteries and chillers, I decided to purchase some "lite" reading for my daily three hour round trip commuter train ride. This book conjured up so many emotions it was at times impossible to contain myself. Anyone who has owned a dog for any amount of time can identify with this book. I have owned a Boxer named Max for the last 10 years and I can see Marley in him. John Grogan did an excellent job in writing about his relationship with his dog. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the antics of Marley and as I neared the final chapters I found myself getting a little "misty" eyed.... O.K....I cried. In part for John and Marley and in part for my own dopey, loveable and at times crazed Max. For me, any author who can bring out emotions in me, has a fan for life.I highly recommend this book for anyone who has yet to read it, who is thinking about owning a dog and for anyone who has a four legged best friend.

When I picked this up I wanted something fun and light as I knew I had a busy week. Well I couldn't put it down. It was everyday stuff but yet so heartwarming. It was the story of a dog but also of a growing family. It was a story of what is important in life and that moments won't last forever. It was a story of love and commitment and making your mark on someone's heart. Really enjoyed it.

I cannot believe that someone else has experienced what I have with my own crazy dogs. 'Marley and Me' has taken me back down so many wonderful roads. It has reminded me of the wonderful love of my pets and it reassured me that I can face the inevitable. As I write this, I am living life with my precious boxer, Moses, to the absolute fullest. Mose has just turned 12 and her health is slowly declining. Through the wonderful words of John Grogan, I am able to reflect and accept.
I'm sorry I did not pick it up sooner, but I know I chose it at this point in our lives for a special reason. Many thanks to Mr. Grogan and especially, Marley.

What a funny and heartwarming story. As a dog owner myself I can certainly relate to some of Marley's antics. I could not put this book down and I read very very few books.

I can't wait to see the movie which premieres Christmas Day.

I always enjoyed reading John Grogan's column in the Sun Sentinel and was so sorry when he left. I absolutely loved this book. Marley so reminds me of our Chloe. During her first two years she ate eyeglasses, sunglasses, a phone, a feather pillow (Florida blizzard) - just about anything she could get her mouth on. Living about 10 miles from Boca, I'm familiar with the Bocahontases and the Bocalites, so my favorite Marley story was the family trip to Mizner Park. As soon as I read the part about hooking Marley's leash to the table in the outdoor restaurant, I knew the punchline. I laughed until I cried. Any dog lover will love and relate to this book. Every dog has a bit of Marley in them and you'll laugh an cry reading about Marley and his family.

This book is charming, heartwarming and absolutely touching. It is a must-read for any dog lover and a wonderful book to own or give as a gift.

This was a wonderful book. In fact, this purchase was for a second book as a gift. So worth sharing. Can't wait for another book from him.

Wonderful book for everyone. Being a person with the good fortune of having lived with a wonderful Golden Retriever for the past 13 years, this story helped to prepare me for when my gal goes across the bridge.
She was never as "spirited" as Marley, but added much joy and companionship to my life with all her own ways and wonderful personality.
John Grogan's story of his dog intertwined with his family's growth was superbly written and very touching.
A dog is a member of the family and the Grogan family demonstrates this in so many ways, from birth to death of their beloved dog.
This is a true reminder of how animals enrich our lives and often show us the way when we don't know what to do.
A wonderful read, any book that makes me cry is priceless, and this one certainly did. ( I had to read it in private)

Jennifer S. in California

Have just finished this book and found it enteraining and a real tear jerker - some of Marley's antics are familiar to all dog lovers. I smiled at Marley's effervecent personality and traits which I see in my own lovable dog. I cried all the way throught the last 3 chapters!

I bought this book for my sister's birthday. I had checked this book out of the library and loved it. I knew she would too. The one I ordered for her had more pictures and more information. I may just have to get one to keep for myself.

The one moral to this story is that you should always listen to Connie Brockway. (As much as it pains me to admit it!) She warned me that if I read this book, I would be crying for WEEKS. Then my Uncle Buddy, a 6' 2" bastion of male machismo confessed that he had bawled like a baby when reading the end of the book. But I thought, "Hey, I watch ER every week! I'm tough! I can handle this!"

So I picked up the book and started crying during the PREFACE. Okay, I'm lying, I actually started sniveling when I was looking at the puppy pictures of Marley on the inside front cover. Perhaps Kevin Bacon said it best in MY DOG SKIP--"A dog is just a heartbreak waiting to happen." Until they invent dogs with the 90-year life spans of parrots, we all know there can be only one ending to a great dog story. And MARLEY AND ME is truly a great dog story.

But MARLEY AND ME won't just make you cry. It will make you smile and it will make you laugh out loud and it will make you wonder why you didn't think to write a book about your ill-behaved monster of a dog so you could warm the cockles of America and make a bazillion dollars. It will also make you remember all of those fine dogs who have blessed your own life through the years. Those with spirits so sweet they seemed almost human and those who ate your throw rugs, swallowed your diamond necklace, and dragged your Tampax out of the garbage for the neighbors to see.

MARLEY AND ME is more than a story about a dog. It's a story about the young marriage of John and Jenny and the changes they go through as they add not only Marley, but three precious children to their lives. John Grogan is a columnist and former editor of Rodale's ORGANIC GARDENING magazine. His prose is fine and spare and made me reluctant to put the book down. I read it in two lazy Saturday and Sunday afternoons and yes, I read the ending with a box of Kleenex sitting on my chest and Connie's number on my speed dial.

The true moral of Marley's story is that there is something fine and beautiful about loving something (and someone) who is imperfect. That perhaps more joy and delight can be found in embracing someone's flaws than in trying to "fix" them. And if nothing else, reading about Marley--a dog who was diagnosed as certifiably insane even by doggie standards--may make you appreciate your own dog (or especially your cat!) even more.

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
It is a good book - but certainly not a great book as portrayed by some.
You can love your pet, but this is above and beyond. Even past the realm of truth.

My Daughter gave me this book to read and was it fun. I was reading it on the plane and started laughing out loud as I could relate to some of Marley's antics. It is easy to read and very enjoyable. He may have been a bad boy but loveable and loyal to the very end.

good book. not exactly a "dog book"...more about life's experience's/family/pregnancy/children and Marley is there too. Truly from beginning to end, adoption to old age. Best chapter is authors reflection on dog ownership. 13 years of coming home to a wagging tail etc.. touching

Having raised several Labradors from puppyhood to senescence, I was quite taken by Marley's hilarious and ultimately tragic tale. Grogan perfectly describes the incredible stubbornness and insanity of a Labrador's temperament. As for the rest of the book: I'm sure in the author's mind, the story of the his marriage/family/career is inseparable from the story of his dog, but... it was totally self-absorbed and utterly banal. His thoughts on mortality and the legacy of 9/11 were one of the most trite, sentimental, unoriginal things I have ever read. He'd do well writing for the NYPost.

I started out hoping for some kind of drama, eventually, but the sickening sweetness was unrelenting. Combined with the fact these people had no business owning a large, strong working-breed dog. Gosh, the trouble they got themselves into -- how cute! Still cute. Forever cute. I started to flip through it. Then just flipped to the end. Started disgusted with the owners for one reason, wound up more disgusted for another. If you know anything at all about dogs, do not buy this book.

Lots of cute and funny stories about Marley. Yes, the author is a little self-serving and there really is no introspection here (unless you count what Marley's doing - he's the most insightful character in the book, but maybe that's a good thing). I laughed out loud a lot. I also resolved never to get a Lab. I sobbed my eyes out towards the end of the book - I don't even think I've ever cried before while reading a book, much less sobbed. I actually took off a point for that - it's just too heartbreaking - and for the long-winded ending. I can recommend the book with reservations - if you are OK with being just as sad at parts as you are happy at others, go for it. But if you are looking for light-hearted escapism, choose something else.

My cherished Rottweiler that I had since I was an adolescent died right before her 12th birthday. Unlike Grogan, she was always in the care of an adoring family member when I traveled. I brought her home to pass away in my arms rather than leaving her in a clinic after spending close to $3,000 I didn't have to give her a comfortable natural death surrounded by those who loved her. Thinking I could use some comfort and some insight into the Labrador breed, since I brought 2 Lab sibling puppies into my home a few months before, I decided to buy a copy of this book.

Let's put it this way. My 2 lab puppies were left for dead in a small Texas town on the side of a highway. They were infested with parasites, showed signs of being beaten, starving to death, and nearly feral. Despite this adversity, these are two very loving, well-trained creatures. With minimal training and me holding a full-time job, mind you. This dog was beyond neurotic...and I wonder if it's really the dog that is to blame? Garage banishment, babies running around all over the place, a high-strung wife having miscarriages, and the author just like "ok, whatever, bad Marley, bad!" These are highly perceptive creatures sensitive to the world around them...I would be neurotic too!

They should call this book "Marley and Me: a Trying to Conceive Journey." I am a single female surrounded by many women my age who seem to want to do nothing more than to have babies. If I wanted to have babies, I'd go very well ahead and start trying to have a baby, and get books specifically to help me in that purpose. What sort of uncouth individual, and what self-respecting wife, tolerates her husband providing intimate details about their copulatory habits? I started feeling vomit in the side of my mouth at some points.

I grow ill with the way that these folks with these entitled lives (getting up at 9am for a workday to read the newspaper? must be nice!) think they have to inundate us with every little detail of their screwed up personal lives and then they can just call it a "memoir." This dog was seriously wronged by its owners. Just because you're upper middle class and behave "mainstream" does not entitle you to abuse others, whether two legged or four legged. We are all different, some of us are a little more neurotic than others, but when you get a dog, you choose to accept that dog for who it is and what it stands for in your life.

Just my two cents.

... because he's really self-absorbed!

There's nothing more I hate in a memoir than the author thinking that their little personal stories are truly unique and memorable, when in reality, they're very common and not at all interesting.

What gets me about this book was that there was nothing in it that was at all triumphant, well-worded or interesting. The Grogan's family experiences with Marley were above average in difficulty, but hell, welcome to the life of being a dog-owner. They partially brought his behavior on themselves with their total lack of boundaries and training in his puppy life. They immediately let this dog rampage their house and get away with everything, and had they been more strict, he probably would have been a normal Lab. That's the first rule of having a dog: You show them who's boss from day one. I wouldn't be surprised if the Grogan kids are little terrors, and the family probably thinks they're just being "cute."

There's was never a point in this book where I felt much emotion. Maybe at the end at the demise of little Marley (but who doesn't get choked up when a family pet dies?). But Grogan's writing style was almost juvenile and his wording of situations was far from thought-provoking or even ... good. The Marley Mambo? Really? You think this makes me laugh? And his descriptions of situations goes on and on ... the guys doesn't know how to shut up. It's that self-absorption thing ... he must think we're all extremely interested in his wife's miscarriage, when reality is, women go through it ever day.

Grogan had great material to work with here, but he didn't put a new or interesting spin on any of it. Instead he took the easy way out and simply reported. And as a college Journalism major, I'm surprised he's been able to make a career out of it.

First let me say that I am a cat lover, but I fell in love with that bad dog Marley: a beautiful misbehaved yellow lab. An adorable creature who was extremely playful, destructive, and pretty neurotic. He was even kicked out of obedience school. Despite Marley's short comings, he was lovable,loyal, and compassionate. Marley was there for his human family through several moves and through good times and bad. He became more than a pet; he was a family member, companion and friend. This book was a beautiful tribute to a beloved pet.

I am not a dog-owner, but I am an animal lover, and this book brought tears to my eyes. It also made my remember why I prefer cats over dogs(a lot less work and just as many rewards). I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals.

Although you may feel like putting this book down, and never returning, it hooks you by pulling your emotional strings. Anyone who's ever had a dog, or a pet - or known someone with a pet for that matter- can relate to Marley.
Great for a quick read

I seriously think I hard core belly laughed and had tears in my eyes on nearly every page. This book is a story anyone who has raised a puppy can relate so well to, and ultimately the aging and loss of your best friend. Grogan did such a beautiful job with this book, I recommend it to everyone!

Marley and Me was a fun book to read....an easy summer read. All dog lovers can relate to this book.

This is a very touching story about how a dog can absolutely steal your heart. At times hilarious, at others very sad, this is the story about how Marley, a Yellow Lab, came into the authors life and completely turned it into chaos. Any one who has ever loved a dog can relate to how Marley becomes more than just a pet to the Grogans, he becomes a child and a protector. Along the way, he destroys several rooms and pieces of furniture. This book will absolutely make you laugh and cry. Anyone who needs a good laugh will especially love the chapter about Marley's obedience training. I could not stop laughing at the instructor's comeuppance! It is a fast read and will make you wish that it was longer. I highly recommend this book.

John Grogan is a wonderful writer. This book is honest, funny, poignant and touching. His story is peeled to the truth, and about real life. Not everything goes smoothly, and just because it didn't with Marley, there's no reason to assume Grogan and his wife loved their dog any less.

It is no surprise, though, that every crackpot who thinks he/she knows better, would come out here, scream like banshees, and insult Grogan. Crackpots galore. Bone-a-fide, inbred doggie-dooers.

John Grogan is a wonderful writer. This book is honest, funny, poignant and touching. His story is peeled to the truth, and about real life. Not everything goes smoothly, and just because it didn't with Marley, there's no reason to assume Grogan and his wife loved their dog any less.

It is no surprise, though, that every crackpot who thinks he/she knows better, would come out here, scream like banshees, and insult Grogan. Crackpots galore. Bone-a-fide, inbred doggie-dooers.

What a great story for anyone that loves dogs and has lost them.... and if you have you will connect with this story. " EXCELLENT"

The only reason I read this book at all was because it was recommended to me by someone at the dog run as being a nice book about a dog. Below is my review.

As the proud owner of a large breed puppy who is not even 6 months old, I found this book offensive. The Grogans seem to have allowed every single bad habit and behavior to persist and then complained about it when Marley became a 90 lb adult Lab. They seem to have basically ignored Marley --- when I brought my puppy home, my whole family made a huge fuss about him and hung out with him and we had him sleeping in our bedroom (in a crate, of course).

Grogan just dumps this 8-week-old puppy in his garage and goes about his business as though Marley did not exist... some welcome home that is!

The obedience school instructor either was the worst instructor on the planet, or none of that really happened: a real instructor should first of all know how to control all sorts of dogs, should be ready for all kinds of craziness, and should attempt to communicate with the dog they are trying to train. But if this really did happen, couldn't they have just found another trainer who knew his/her business?

He made no effort to restrain Marley or confine him to a room, if crates were not the fashion then, and then complains to high heaven that the dog is all over the place.

The commentary Grogan spouted while he was taking Marley in to be fixed was perfectly disgusting. Also, the methods used to get Marley to quit jumping up on people, for instance, were also pretty offputting. Actually, "brutal" is a better word.

Last but not least, Grogan seems to take up a lot of the book talking about his married life (I'm being delicate). Why do we have to wade through this? The dog was a little rambunctious, and he also was mismanaged and unchecked, we got that, but the point of the book was the owners...?

Basically, the bottom line is, if you want to read this book, read it in the bookstore, or just get it out of your local library. Just don't buy it. It's pretty scammy.

Or, better yet, just take your dog for a walk... a nice long one.

The only reason I read this book at all was because it was recommended to me by someone at the dog run as being a nice book about a dog. Below is my review.

As the proud owner of a large breed puppy who is not even 6 months old, I found this book offensive. The Grogans seem to have allowed every single bad habit and behavior to persist and then complained about it when Marley became a 90 lb adult Lab. They seem to have basically ignored Marley --- when I brought my puppy home, my whole family made a huge fuss about him and hung out with him and we had him sleeping in our bedroom (in a crate, of course).

Grogan just dumps this 8-week-old puppy in his garage and goes about his business as though Marley did not exist... some welcome home that is!

The obedience school instructor either was the worst instructor on the planet, or none of that really happened: a real instructor should first of all know how to control all sorts of dogs, should be ready for all kinds of craziness, and should attempt to communicate with the dog they are trying to train. But if this really did happen, couldn't they have just found another trainer who knew his/her business?

He made no effort to restrain Marley or confine him to a room, if crates were not the fashion then, and then complains to high heaven that the dog is all over the place.

The commentary Grogan spouted while he was taking Marley in to be fixed was perfectly disgusting. Also, the methods used to get Marley to quit jumping up on people, for instance, were also pretty offputting. Actually, "brutal" is a better word.

Last but not least, Grogan seems to take up a lot of the book talking about his married life (I'm being delicate). Why do we have to wade through this? The dog was a little rambunctious, and he also was mismanaged and unchecked, we got that, but the point of the book was the owners...?

Basically, the bottom line is, if you want to read this book, read it in the bookstore, or just get it out of your local library. Just don't buy it. It's pretty scammy.

Or, better yet, just take your dog for a walk... a nice long one.

I read Marley & Me when it first came out years ago but my book club just read it and everyone loved it. This is definitely one of my favorite books...maybe it is because I have my own "Marley" in the form of my now 4 year old male yellow lab but also because it is just a great book. It is hilarious but also has some sad parts. I would recommend it to most people but especially to dog lovers. Enjoy!

I loved this book, this book is all about loving an impossible dog. Marley was lucky, only a few people could afford his idiocies and fewer yet would put up with them. He was obviously very loved and the love showed through on every page. As a dog lover who has always preferred dog who walk on the wild side I could not help but fall for Marley. I tried to find his movie "The last home run" but could only find a couple of over priced secondary market videos. I was happy to find his movie debut on You-tube, you could just see his spirit in his movie scenes and listening to his heavy breathing in the car scene was funny.

Few books make me LOL as well as cry, but this book did, this is a great book.

I cannot believe this book was a number one bestseller. The techniques used by Grogan and his idiot wife are downright abusive. This is a case of two selfish people who got a dog to fulfill their own needs. Worst of all they didn't do breed research and got a Lab, a dog that is high energy and needs a great deal of activity and exercise. The dumbasses then proceed to lock the poor thing in the garage and are surprised when the dog becomes neurotic and destructive. Locking an animal in a garage all day is cruel and inhumane treatment. It made me sick to hear Grogan describe kneeing the dog in the chest, using a choke chain til the poor thing gagged and finding his wife beating the dog with her fists. All those idiots had to do was start with basic obedience training from day one and give the poor dog the exercise it needed. Marley deserved a lot better, I hope he's in a better place now.

I loved this book! This is a must read for any animal lover. John is an incredible writer and I can't wait to ready more of his work.

"Marley and Me" is an autobiography novel written by John Grogan. The author talks about his family's life during the thirteen years that they lived with their Labrador Retriever, Marley.
Marley wouldn't be considered the best dog, but Marley was their pride and joy. Marley, a ninety seven pound Labrador Retriever would always be running into screen doors, eating clothing, or anything he could get his teeth on. To guests that walked into the Grogan's home, they would be very scared by his size and how he acted. Even though Marley destroyed everything and didn't appeal to other people they still loved him.
The book shows you how much people love animals. Even though at times the Grogan family wanted to get rid of Marley. Marley would always make his way back into the family.
The book taught me many things. First, to always love your family. Even though at times Marley would cause many problems for the Grogan family, they still loved him. Second, to always take care of other people's property. Throughout the book, many of the problems were created because Marley destroyed the Grogan's house, love, and yard. Third, always be greatful for what you have. Even though the Gorgan's family wasn't perfect they always loved each other.
I would recommend this book to any animal lover. If you love learning, reading, and laughing about animals, this is the book for you. If I had to rate this book out of five I would rate it a four. At times in the book, it did get a little boring, but I think it is still worth reading.

Marley and Me was a very funny book. I started reading it after seeing all the reviews on it. While reading this book, I started thinking about my own dog, (not a labrador) and how he was almost similar. 30% the naughtiness of Marley. This book makes me laugh and assures me that I am not alone! The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that I don't think there was a climax to the book. The book was pretty much leveled out. With small rises and falls for the characters.

This is a book I kept seeing in the stores and passing by, and finally recently picked it up and read a few pages. Right then I was hooked. I took it home and read the entire thing that night. I laughed out loud, and I cried too with this book. It takes you on this entire journey with this hilarious and loving dog. I also have a yellow lab, so I related to this book also very much. They're definitely different, and Grogan really captures that with this book.

This is a wonderful book. I couldn't put it down! It's a great book!! Highly reccomended!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading John Grogans thoughtful book! What a treasure it is when an author manages to inspire, engage, and enlighten their reader all in one writing. You'll have a constant tickle in your throat, whether from giggling one page reading about Marleys salt-water antics, or tearing up on the next reading about the challenges jenny faced. No matter which way you cut it, it is a book you won't want to put down, and you'll be a better person because of it. In the end grogan reminds us of the resilliance of the human spirit. Even while penning memories with the 'worlds worst dog' he laces them with humor, understanding, and warmth of the love of a friend. The reviews were right, it would truly take a heart of stone to resist Marley and Me.

P.S. - For those who are sentimental-- would reccomend not reading in public, in the last third of the book, once the tears start they won't stop!

Reading this book, there's little doubt in my mind why its become a #1 best seller...
Because its cute, funny, poignant, heartwarming, engaging... and is written in a really smooth page-turner/chuckle out loud style...
And how can any book go wrong with a goofy bucket of mischief and drool as its key character?
I really mean it...
and a book I could see being made into an HBO movie...
I have severe ADHD... yet managed to get half way through before... realizing that my own dog was wreaking some havoc of his own.
Most interestingly, my own dog is the polar opposite of Marley... well trained/well behaved... affectionate, yet quite reserved compared to Marley... in addition, mine is a 3.5 kg. toy poodle, whereas Marley was a 100 lb. lab (I love watching labs play at the dog parks... they definitely epitomize the word "silly"!)
While reading this book, however, I couldn't help but feel jealous... Why is my dog so GOOD... why can't he stir up a little fun by rebel rousing now and then. (Oh, because he knows if he goes in the bathroom and goes anywhere near the toilet role he's gonna get it!)
All this said, a number of reviewers have give the book one star rating because of concern for the message...
I personally have issues with a lot of the training methods, however, this book is a narrative about a young couple, their new family, and the role of a very exuberant dog as they faced many of the day to day life cycle challenges and experiences that many of us do as well... It is not meant to be a training manual...
If, however, you're looking for "role model" owners, my advice is: emulate their love ONLY, but get your hands on some real books on dog training and behavior... (I personally am biased towards Ian Dunbar, Jean Donadlson, Patricia McConnell - - I also like Cys Frankel's book on raising a dog in the city...)
Even if ideologically speaking you're on the "other side" of the great "all positive" vs. "dominance/obedience" training divide, even Cesar Milan would have a message for you: about owners being RESPONSIBLE for the behavior of their dog...
That said... this is a really real funny, engaging and heartwarming book who's charm is guaranteed to work on virtually any self confessed (or in the closet) dog lover.
The read is not too "heavy" - - though not without its poignant moments.
A classic that I suspect will be on various reading lists for years to come!

This book was a delightful read. It made me laugh outloud and cry at times. I would read this book again. GREAT BOOK! Very well deserving of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the antics of my own puppy. The book centers around a dog but it's really about a family. This book is filled with love and has really helped me get through the last very stressful week. I was laughing out loud at some parts.

Marley is a Labrador retriever, a wonderful " bad boy" typical Labrador style dog.
I cried and felt every minute of his life unfolding in this book. Marley was 100% soul in motion like every other of his race.
Unfortunately, his owner (like probably 99% of owners) had no idea what he got. Probably for Mr. Grogan a Yorkie would have been better...
Marley, rest in peace.
The 5 stars are all for you!

Whenever I speak to someone about my dog, the person invariably responds with some variation of one of the three following questions:
(1) Have you tried hiring a professional trainer?
(2) Have you tried using a _______ (insert canine control device here; i.e., Halti Head Harness, choke collar, anti-pull harness, zapper collar, citronella collar, dog whistle, clicker, etc...)?
(3) Is he neutered?

The answer to all three of these questions is yes, in whatever form they are asked. We have tried it all, and we still can't have houseguests without warning the people ahead of time NOT to wear open-toed shoes and, despite the fact that we live in Florida and it's 90-plus degrees, long pants would be advisable. Not suprisingly, we have very few visitors.

My dog, Cyrus, has done all of the terrible things a dog can do. He flipped over a table he was tethered to at Starbucks, and then dragged it across the patio until it became jammed between two other tables he took out along the way. He has, much to the chagrin of her mother, humped a five year old in front of a large gathering of people (interestingly, that was the only person he ever tried it on). He has been rejected (yes, flat-out rejected) from a canine "boot camp," which we drove three hours to just for an interview. He has nearly jumped out of the car window while we were traveling at a high rate of speed. He has broken his leash and charged off in random directions to see random people, usually scaring the bejesus out of whoever he decided to go visit. And he has eaten every imaginable object a dog can possibly eat. And when I say every, I mean EVERY. Area rugs, shampoo, sleeves off of shirts, shoelaces (but never shoes themselves for some odd reason), underwear, tea towels, coasters, books, drywall (he chewed a hole through a wall in our apartment one afternoon while I was grocery shopping), window blinds, two broiler pans, Chef Boyardee cans, an entire set of steak knives (only the handles, though, THANK GOD), dirty Kleenex by the pound, toothbrushes, spools of thread, and all of the embarassing stuff that ends up in the bathroom garbage. And the best part of that is that whatever embarassing object it is will ALWAYS get stuck on its way out, thereby requiring me to assist in its removal. In public. There are few things more humbling that removing a feminine hygiene product from your dog's butt five feet away from your apartment complex's pool while several horrified people look on.

My friend Barb still describes him as "the dog who ate a car stereo." And it's true. He did. Box and all. In his medical records, there is a note in the margin, handwritten by my vet. It says, "PICA?!?!" I would say, although he has outgrown it for the most part (except for the bathroom garbage), that the answer to that was, at one time, a definite yes.

In spite of all that, or maybe because of that, I love him. I love everything about him. The way he smells when he needs a bath. The way he sneezes in my face when smoke from my cigarette drifts to close to his face. The way he snores so loudly that I have to have a fan on my nighstand running all night to block out the noise. The way he smacks me awake while I'm sleeping so I will lift up the covers for him to climb under them.

And I also love the way he snuggles up to me at night, that he loves to sleep in late, the fact that he is always severely distressed by me crying, that he will give hugs and kisses upon request, that he will do anything to protect me, and that, no matter how much of a piece of crap I feel like, he is so excited to see me when I get home that dancing and doing laps around the house are the only adequate ways to express his joy.

The reson why I love this book so much is that it finally proves my theory that there are other people out there like me--people who love a dog that someone else--okay, maybe the rest of the US population--would describe as "terrible" or "horrible" or, GASP, even "incorrigable"--a favorite of his last trainer. And despite the fact that he is not Cesar Milan-approved, he is still, to me, the best dog in the entire world. I would never trade him in for Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin. I mean, how many times did Timmy have to rush Lassie to the vet at 3AM because she decided that the Windex she stole from under the sink looked delicious? Perfection is boring. It is our flaws that make us unique, and it is adoration of those flaws that make us loved. The same is true with dogs.

I loved this book. It made me laugh and cry (sometimes within pages of each other). The twists and turns of the story are John Grogan and his family's everyday twists and turns. That is the beauty of the story.

As we live our "ordinary" everyday lives we are creating powerful memories that shape who we are as people. When we tell of our memories they can, as in Grogan's case, shape other peoples lives as well. Marley & Me is a touching story full of beautiful memories that are worth sharing.

Hurley Dog Chew Toy: Aqua Blue (Large)Eco Slumber Pet Bed (XLarge)Tux Dog Treat Chew Toy: TangerineZisc Flying Disc Dog Toy: Granny SmithEco Nap Earth Friendly Pet Bed: Burnt Orange (Large)Orbee-Tuff Ball with Rope: Blue/Green (Medium)Orbee-Tuff Ball with Rope: Glow/Orange (Medium)Hemp Eco Friendly Dog Bone Toy: Chocolate (Large)

This was the first book I purchased for my new Amazon Kindle - and I could hardly put it down - from the begining John Grogan draws you into Marley's world of mischief. As I finished the book, i could barely see the words for the tears in my eyes - this is a wonderful heartwaming, laugh outloud story told by a master storyteller. I highly recommend it.

I was forced to listen to the audio book version of this. If you find Grogan annoying throughout the book, wait till you have to listen to his voice (yes, he reads it).

Basically, the guy writes an autobiography. And his dog Marley was evidently a part of it. I might try the same when I get a dog because there is nothing special about this story so hopefully my ordinary life can sell a bunch of books too. It's not like this dog saves the world or anything. It's also not like he's that big of a terror either. The heinous acts of Marley are for a large part quite cliche and you could probably see them all by watching an afternoon of TV (the bedroom scene comes to mind...how often have we seen that?).

The author complains about how awful this dog is, but it seems like he's probably the bigger problem. The dog was not trained or disciplined but constantly spoiled from the sounds of it. They 'gave up' on obedience school.

Overall, skip this one. I'm not an expert on sentimental dog books but I bet there's a better one out there.

This is truly a wonderful book. Although it is emotional, and I had to put it down twice because it hit me that hard, I would recommend this book to everyone. It is very well written. You will find yourself laughing out loud and crying with this book. It is a great life story - not just about his dog...

I find dog stories usually inspirational and a credit to their masters. This story left me flat. Retrievers need room to roam about, and they are social and friendly critters. Marley's life was not usually like that. The Grogans should have taken dog obedience classes as well as a lot of lessons in general parenting. Thank goodness I didn't put out the twenty bucks to be irritated and wanting to give the Grogans some worthwhile tips in raising an animal. A dog-owner friend gave me the book to read - she enjoyed it totally. Dogs are a big responsibility and shouldn't be brought home on a whim. For all that, Grogan is a good writer and I enjoyed his work...maybe this one shouldn't have gone public. PS - I have been a dog-owner for many years.