Book Review: Marley and Me by John Grogan

A Story Every Dog Owner Should Read

"Life and love with the world's worst dog," proclaims the subtitle of Marley & Me. Underneath the title is a cute Labrador puppy, a yellow bundle of fur with a cocked head and an expression that seems to say, "Worst dog? Who me?"

John Grogan weaves a story about his pet that will literally have you in stitches as he recalls life with a "ninety-seven pound steamroller." One cannot help feeling every disaster, every moment of development and ongoing love that radiates throughout the book. Grogan writes with a style that captivates the reader from the moment the first page is opened.

My mother-in-law had this book lying on her counter and I couldn't resist picking it up and getting a closer look at the adorable puppy with the large paws that didn't seem to fit.

The world's worst dog? Oh come on. How bad can it be?

Grogan fills the pages with thirteen years of Marley's antics. Right from the beginning, Marley arrives in their home filled with "unbridled exuberance and joy", gulping down bowls of puppy chow and decorating the yard with memorable mounds. After two lessons at obedience schoo, he was kicked out. He barreled through screen doors, creating his very own doggie door.

Before long, the Grogans discovered that Marley had a fierce phobia of storms. He destroyed every room he was kept in while they were gone. The Grogans even purchased a steel cage, but Marley managed to mangle that as well.

One shake of the head, and Marley covered every surface with foaming drool. He got into everything, devouring many non-food items, including his wife's birthday present: a gold necklace.

I found myself chuckling out loud so many times that I finally had to read a couple of paragraphs to my family to explain all the laughter. We acquired a new family member in January, a West Highland White Terrier named Kaycie. Our puppy is still going through some stages where she decorates the carpet or chews up the wrong things, so we could all relate to the "worst dog" concept.