Ahhh... Marley And Me.

It is a book that tells the story of a dog. From the very beginning, I had a premonition that I would be shedding tears while reading it.

The moment I picked up this book, I was drawn into the charming world of Marley. His antics, his loyalty, and his unwavering love for his owners were all beautifully depicted on the pages.

As I delved deeper into the story, I found myself becoming more and more attached to Marley. I laughed at his silly mistakes and cried when he faced difficulties.

This book is not just about a dog; it is about the bond between a pet and its owner. It shows us the joy and heartache that come with loving an animal.

Marley And Me is a touching and emotional read that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. It is a book that reminds us of the importance of珍惜 the time we have with our furry friends.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever loved a dog or has a soft spot for animals. You will not be disappointed.

I love this book so much.

It makes me think of my dear dog, Snowball, who passed away in 2014.

My dog was truly a great one. He was full of energy and always brought so much joy to my life.

He was only 8 years old when a tragic house fire took him away from me.

The memory of him still lingers in my heart, and whenever I read this book, it's as if he is right there with me.

I cherish the time we had together and will always remember him.

This book has become a special reminder of my beloved Snowball, and I will always hold it dear.

A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.

Just like Marley, my Golden-Retriever, Alfey is a classic example of the above mentioned fact. All dogs are! One just needs to see. A Great piece of work from John Grogan that has promised to remain in my memories forever and ever. Saying that I loved it is a mere understatement. I lived it. I enjoyed it. I adored it.

Being a retriever-owner myself, I can say I lived every piece of the book, some to an extent a lot more. I can never agree more to these few lines Grogan has adroitly expressed. Not even if I yelled for hours, standing at the peak of Mount Everest with a mike in my hands. It is just so true and a feeling mutual to all dog-lovers like me.

The story, as you might well know by now, is about the life of Marley, a Labrador Retriever, John Gorgan's pet dog. Marley was irritatingly-cute, disastrously-funny, a mess-maker, a heart-winner with those innocent eyes. He was a chewer of couches, a slasher of screens, a slinger of drool, a tipper of trash cans.
The book revolves around how in his early years of marriage, John and Jenny (John's wife) bought a lab-pup for a pet dog and how very soon he became the inevitable integral part of their lives. He lives a dog's not-so-long-life of 13 years while he loves the Grogan family unconditionally. They live, learn and love Marley through these years until time comes for him to depart from the world.
This again is such a mutual feeling. In my childhood, I owned a German Shepherd and lost him to sickness. Every tiny memory of his pools my eyes with tears. This is how Grogan has put it through for himself, for me and for those few thousand people who have lost their pet dogs.
I sobbed, then wept and then cried. And once I did, I knew there was no stopping. I could so feel Grogan's loss as mine. I too fell in love with Marley like thousand other readers did.
This one was an anticipated breakage of the dam of my tears which didn't stop for a good few hours. Here it is, "Owning a dog always ended with sadness because dogs just don't live as long as people did."
Read it even if you are not a dog-owner. You might want to own one. Read it even if you are a dog-hater. You might start loving them. Read it. Read it anyway.

Ok, ugh. I had seen the movie, and when I came across this book at a Little Free Library, I eagerly seized the opportunity to read it, firmly believing that books are typically better than their movie adaptations.

The author's wife decided that they needed a dog to assist them in preparing for having a baby. This is an extremely poor reason to purchase a pet. A pet is not a toy or a 'trainer'. So, instead of going to an animal shelter, they opted for a backyard breeder (at least the author and his wife were aware of puppy mills and managed to avoid those). However, the author was not immediately deterred by the breeder's suspicious behavior when inquiring about the sire of the litter.

I was not charmed in the slightest by Marley's behavior. On the very first night, when Marley whined about being left in the garage, the author gave in. THE FIRST NIGHT! Discipline and setting boundaries are crucial in pet ownership, and the author failed miserably on that front from the very beginning. It wasn't just the first night; on the first day when he took Marley home, he placed the dog in the seat (instead of using a crate), allowing Marley to crawl to the dashboard and cause chaos. He made no attempt to discipline the dog or buckle him into his seat, which set a negative tone for the rest of Marley's life (not to mention the extreme danger it posed not only to the driver but also to other motorists).

Marley may have been somewhat daft to start with, but a significant portion of his misbehavior can be directly attributed to John and Jenny. Marley kept eating random objects around the house? Well, they should have put those items out of his reach! Marley continued to steal food from the counters (sandwich crusts and Rice Krispie bars on separate occasions)? Then they should have stopped leaving food on the counters!!! He repeatedly broke screen doors by running through them? In that case, they could have installed a screen door with a solid bottom panel or bars to prevent him from doing so!!!!! The author complains about thousands of dollars in damages, yet much of that could have been avoided with a modicum of common sense.

There was one particular thing that disgusted me greatly. Near the end of the book, the author mentioned how when Marley walked past the couch, he would rub the side of his face along it, leaving drool all over the cushions. And then he would do the same with the other side of his face on the way back. EWWWWWW (not to mention all the drool and snot on the car windows from allowing Marley to roam freely in the car). I would not have wanted to be in the author's house with drool everywhere and an ill-trained dog.

It became abundantly clear to me that, although Marley's behavior could be very boisterous at times, a large part of his bad behavior stemmed from the owners, not from his own inherent nature. The same principle applies to ill-behaved children - a lack of discipline. I found this book more infuriating than endearing. The only reason it received more than one star was because the author had a good writing style and managed to make me chuckle in a few parts.

OK, I'm an absolute sucker for this book. Indeed, some of the anecdotes are the kind of things that every pet owner has experienced, and as a result, they may not be truly that captivating. And some parts of it focus more on life with a dog rather than the life of a dog itself. However, it was well-written, and at times, really hilarious. Marley sounds like he was an absolute love.

And that's precisely why it was so difficult to read the end. Yes, you know how it concludes. But Grogan's description of the canine aging process is truly accurate. Dogs do live in a compressed time frame, and they go from being pups to geriatrics in the blink of an eye. They bring an abundance of joy during their lifetime, yet they are reliant on their owners, especially as they age. It tears at your heart when they start to display signs of aging and frailty while still seemingly having the mind and demeanor of a puppy. It's an exercise in adapting to their needs and realizing that they, like you, have a limited time on this earth.

The entire account brings back a process that I've endured two too many times, so perhaps I'm overly sensitive about it. Still, it resurrects the whole sadness of bidding farewell to a loyal and completely trusting companion. It's so hard to know that they are naive and have that trust in you even when you are taking them to the vet for the last time. You know it's the right decision, but it still remains heartbreaking. OK, probably too much information.

Overall, it's a good book, and it struck a chord with me. I'm glad I was in the privacy of my own room when I finished it.

I've had this book on my shelf for YEARS.

I never read it because I knew it would make me cry (and it did, but not until the last 30 pages).

Now I'm kind of sorry I did read it. It made me more angry than sad.

I read some reviews bashing the Grogans for not educating themselves before getting a dog or going to a breeder.

I don't support those decisions, but I accept that my way (rescue) isn't everyone's.

I DO respect the Grogans for sticking with Marley when he was a handful. But that's where my respect ends.

First, Grogan makes a career out of writing. So I expected more.

This book felt forced. Like he exaggerated Marley's quirks to make everyone "get it."

Second, his numerous references to aggressive pit bulls were infuriating.

As a newspaper columnist, he should present facts, not perpetuate stereotypes.

Third, I don't think the Grogans were great dog owners.

They let Marley run amok and then used improper training methods.

They made a mockery of how they handled him.

Marley's antics were often due to extreme anxiety, not just "funny" behavior.

They could have gotten a behaviorist to help him.

It was also shocking that they left Marley at the vet and went to Florida for his last holiday.

All in all, I'm shocked people liked this book so much.

I found much of it terribly sad and was horrified by how they treated Marley.

And they made so much money off of this poor dog.

There is no better book for a dog lover.

For those who have an unwavering passion for dogs, there simply isn't a more perfect book out there. It's like a treasure trove of all the things that make dogs so special and dear. This book delves deep into the world of dogs, exploring their unique behaviors, their loyal natures, and the wonderful bond they form with their human companions.

It offers countless heartwarming stories and fascinating insights that will surely tug at the heartstrings of any dog lover. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or someone who just can't get enough of these furry friends, this book is a must-read. It will not only enhance your understanding and appreciation of dogs but also bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

So, if you're looking for a book that truly speaks to the soul of a dog lover, look no further. This is the one that will satisfy your craving for all things dog-related and leave you with a deeper love and respect for these amazing creatures.

This book had such a profound impact on me that it made me laugh until my stomach ached and cry until I could scarcely breathe. But that very intensity is precisely what renders this one of the finest books I've ever had the privilege of reading.

Marley and Me was truly an astonishing book. The remarkable bond between John and Marley was simultaneously heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring. For instance, when Marley was afflicted with arthritis and faced serious difficulties in getting up and climbing stairs, yet he persisted in following John everywhere and continued to sleep with him upstairs. Or when John went to Shanksville and Marley even summoned the courage to descend the slippery basement stairs in an attempt to locate his missing friend. These, along with numerous other such instances, vividly demonstrated the love that existed between them.

Even though the book frequently playfully referred to Marley as the "world's worst dog," he was, in fact, an incredible canine due to his unwavering devotion and love for John, Jenny, Patrick, Conner, and Colleen.

Marley and Me was an exquisitely beautiful book, and I am overjoyed that I had the opportunity to read it.

**Puppy on the Cover**

There is a charming puppy on the cover that immediately catches the eye. Its cute little face, with those big, innocent eyes, seems to be looking right at you, melting your heart instantly. The puppy's fur is soft and fluffy, as if you could reach out and touch it. It is sitting there, looking so adorable and full of life. The cover design featuring this puppy is truly outstanding. It not only grabs your attention but also makes you want to know more about what lies inside. It gives the impression that the content within is going to be just as heartwarming and delightful as the puppy on the cover. With its 10-star rating, it is clear that this cover has won the hearts of many. It is a perfect example of how a simple yet charming image can make a big impact.

When this book first came out in paperback, I read it immediately. I loved this story so much that I couldn't put it down. The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters made me feel as if I was part of the story. I was completely immersed in the world that the author had created.

I also saw the movie adaptation, but as is often the case, the book was better. The movie had to condense the story and leave out some of the details that made the book so great. The book allowed me to imagine the scenes and characters in my own way, while the movie presented a more fixed interpretation.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and will leave you with a lasting impression.

You have to read the books your grandma gives you for Christmas.

Having said that, Marley's antics were, to some extent, mildly amusing (I suppose). However, I just couldn't overlook the fact that the owners seemed to be simply moronic.

For example, they were well aware that their dog would go completely bananas and attempt to claw its way to what it perceived as safety whenever thunderstorms struck, tearing the house to shreds in the process. So, what measures did they take to prevent it from ripping apart the house in the event of a thunderstorm when they were absent? They decided to put it in a small dog crate while they left. And can you even begin to guess what occurred? It tried to claw its way through the metal bars and ended up hurting itself in the process.

No kidding. I would never in a million years have foreseen that.

If you can't handle a dog properly, then don't get one in the first place. It's as simple as that. You need to be responsible and take into account all the possible scenarios and behaviors of the dog before bringing it into your home. Otherwise, it's not fair to the dog and it can lead to a lot of unnecessary problems and heartache.

I thought this book was good.

It had its own charm and managed to engage me from the start.

The story was well-written and the characters were developed in a rather interesting way.

However, when compared to the movie, it just didn't have the same level of sadness.

The movie seemed to capture the essence of the story in a more powerful and emotional way.

The visuals and the acting in the movie really brought out the sadness and made it a truly impactful experience.

In the book, although the story was good, the sadness was somehow diluted.

Maybe it was because the book couldn't convey the emotions as effectively as the movie could through its visual and auditory elements.

Overall, while the book was still enjoyable, it couldn't quite match the sadness and the emotional depth that the movie had.