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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
It's obvious that John Grogan loved his dog, but at the same time, I got the sense that he wasn't the best master for a dog to have. Obviously the dog had problems that even the best owners couldn't correct or handle, but there were times that I thought Grogan was just being cruel. I'll be honest: I'm not a dog owner, I've never owned one, but I thought that maybe someday when I get married and buy a house I would get a dog. I'm not so sure about that anymore. And not because dogs destroy a bunch of stuff.
There was a point in the book where the Grogan family moves from Florida to Pennsylvania. They get to the airport and somebody tells them that the crate they got for Marley was too small. The crate for transporting a dog must allow the dog to stand up fully, and be able to turn around. They push Marley into the crate where he can barely stand, and obviously can't turn around, but because of a commotion with other animals, Marley was able to squeeze himself around to face the other way. That was good enough for the airport and the Grogan family. They put the dog in a cramped cage in the belly of the plane for a nice 2 hour flight while he howled the entire time.
Then, the last three or four chapters are just a description of how Marley's health was rapidly declining. It was just description after description of how the dog could barely stand, how it could barely hold it's bladder, how it went deaf, how it lost all its teeth, how they would put the dog in a kennel as they go off to Disney World for a nice family vacation, how it's stomach turned up-side-down, and how even though there was a 99% chance that the stomach would turn again and cause him even more suffering, they decided to take that chance and Marley pulled through. The last three years of the dog's life just seemed terrible.
I guess this book made me realize that I don't want to own a dog if it means I'll love it so much I treat it poorly in it's last couple years of life.
There was a point in the book where the Grogan family moves from Florida to Pennsylvania. They get to the airport and somebody tells them that the crate they got for Marley was too small. The crate for transporting a dog must allow the dog to stand up fully, and be able to turn around. They push Marley into the crate where he can barely stand, and obviously can't turn around, but because of a commotion with other animals, Marley was able to squeeze himself around to face the other way. That was good enough for the airport and the Grogan family. They put the dog in a cramped cage in the belly of the plane for a nice 2 hour flight while he howled the entire time.
Then, the last three or four chapters are just a description of how Marley's health was rapidly declining. It was just description after description of how the dog could barely stand, how it could barely hold it's bladder, how it went deaf, how it lost all its teeth, how they would put the dog in a kennel as they go off to Disney World for a nice family vacation, how it's stomach turned up-side-down, and how even though there was a 99% chance that the stomach would turn again and cause him even more suffering, they decided to take that chance and Marley pulled through. The last three years of the dog's life just seemed terrible.
I guess this book made me realize that I don't want to own a dog if it means I'll love it so much I treat it poorly in it's last couple years of life.
I was fully prepared for this book to be incredibly sad because I have seen the movie. (And that movie was heart-wrenching.) The book wasn’t quite as sad as the movie, although that could be because I knew what was coming. I will say that I thought this book was funnier than the movie. There was a special dry humor throughout the book that I really enjoyed.
I also feel the need to point out that this book gets major props in my mind for its honest portrayal of miscarriages and the difficulty of married.
I also feel the need to point out that this book gets major props in my mind for its honest portrayal of miscarriages and the difficulty of married.
This is just the kind of hilarious, fun book I like to read, but because I saw the movie, I almost never read books AFTER I’ve seen the movie. For me it’s the other way around: I read the book and see the movie, usually to see how much better the book was.
It’s been a long time since I saw the movie, so I gave the book a chance, and I’m glad I did—the humor and endless comedy was a blast. Marley destroyed countless pieces of furniture and screen doors. He routinely ate things like parts of their stereo equipment and once, a gold necklace that was a gift from author John Grogen to his wife, Jenny. Grogen then reports in hilarious detail being on poop patrol in his attempt to rescue the expensive necklace from Marley’s prodigious defecation offerings to their backyard.
Everything about the book is funny or touching. Even the birth of their first child was told in hysterical detail.
Marley got kicked out of obedience school the first time for being too incorrigible. When they went back many months later, he did manage to pass—and he quickly snatched his diploma from John’s hands and ate it.
If you’ve ever shared your life with a dog (even cats like to destroy plants, especially if they’re hanging and they can pounce on them from any surface and yank them out of the wall so you come home to dirt and plant shreddings spattered across your carpeting. They also like to topple books from shelves and sit on your keyboard while you’re on deadline for work), you’ll identify with the funny stories of how much work animal companions can be, and how much we miss them when they’re gone. If you live in a place that doesn’t allow animals, you’ll also feel a little better about how simple and unencumbered your life is, but you’ll feel a wistful sense of loss, too.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://theresaalan.net/blog/
It’s been a long time since I saw the movie, so I gave the book a chance, and I’m glad I did—the humor and endless comedy was a blast. Marley destroyed countless pieces of furniture and screen doors. He routinely ate things like parts of their stereo equipment and once, a gold necklace that was a gift from author John Grogen to his wife, Jenny. Grogen then reports in hilarious detail being on poop patrol in his attempt to rescue the expensive necklace from Marley’s prodigious defecation offerings to their backyard.
Everything about the book is funny or touching. Even the birth of their first child was told in hysterical detail.
Marley got kicked out of obedience school the first time for being too incorrigible. When they went back many months later, he did manage to pass—and he quickly snatched his diploma from John’s hands and ate it.
If you’ve ever shared your life with a dog (even cats like to destroy plants, especially if they’re hanging and they can pounce on them from any surface and yank them out of the wall so you come home to dirt and plant shreddings spattered across your carpeting. They also like to topple books from shelves and sit on your keyboard while you’re on deadline for work), you’ll identify with the funny stories of how much work animal companions can be, and how much we miss them when they’re gone. If you live in a place that doesn’t allow animals, you’ll also feel a little better about how simple and unencumbered your life is, but you’ll feel a wistful sense of loss, too.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://theresaalan.net/blog/
I bought this book for two reasons. First, I can't resist a "buy two get one free" deal. Second, I needed some light reading. I didn't think I would like it very much, but I figured it would be a quick read. I totally loved it! I laughed (out loud), I cried (nothing over the top, but there were tears in my eyes). It was just a great light-read that I'm very happy I picked up.
Great memoir about a crazy but lovable dog...I cried my eyes out...
I read this in my 7th grade study hall blocks back when it first came out and had to give myself 10 minutes before the bell rang everyday so I could stop crying and wouldn't look so red and puffy for my next class. Purposely refused to see the movie because I don't think Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson would ever do my emotions justice.
This book just broke me, I'm a pile of goo on the ground from the crying! Review maybe on blog if I can stop crying!
Everything a dog lover could ask for. The writing is light and funny when talking about Marley and his crazy antics, and deep and meaningful when Grogan considers Marley's impact on the family life. Beautifully written - a story for every dog lover out there, I'm serious. You will not be disappointed.
I couldn't help it. I, along with all the 40-year-old women who also loved this book, cried like a baby. I'm pretty sure that if you've ever had a dog, you'd do the same. Some people might call this a book for the sentimental masses, and I would call those people uptight.
On another note, it's a quick and engaging read. The author is a newspaper columnist, and it just feels like a collection of interesting columns about his horribly behaved pet - easy to get through in just a couple hours.
On another note, it's a quick and engaging read. The author is a newspaper columnist, and it just feels like a collection of interesting columns about his horribly behaved pet - easy to get through in just a couple hours.
Wow. I listened to this book on audio cd, and as a dog lover, I understood so much about the love of a dog. I also knew how the book was going to end, because I've been through that part of it, too. I cried, of course. I also listened to this book as we learned about the health of our expected baby (he will need surgery after he's born), and I was really affected. It also made me want to get a puppy more than ever. (But not a lab or retriever, a sheltie, as I grew up with shelties, the best dogs ever!)