I read a book with little interest. It's not the kind of book that I like to read.

However, I must admit that although it's not outstanding, it's not bad at all. Maybe it's the influence of my pets.

I usually prefer books that are more exciting and engaging, but this one had its own charm. It was a simple story that didn't require too much thinking, which was kind of nice for a change.

My pets, on the other hand, seem to love all kinds of books. They always come and lie beside me when I'm reading, as if they're trying to share in the experience.

Perhaps their presence made me more open to this particular book. Who knows? But one thing's for sure, I'll never look at a book the same way again, thanks to my furry friends.

What’s the deal with dogs?

They are often regarded as dumb, smelly, messy, and lazy animals that rely almost entirely on us for their survival. We let them roam freely in our houses, spend a great deal of time and money on their upkeep and care, and allow them to disrupt and control large parts of our schedules for many years.

However, in return, dogs show us genuine and unconditional love, affection, and loyalty throughout their lifetimes. As a result, many of us humans bring one or more of them into our homes and adopt them as special members of our families. They become our pets, and we love and cherish them in return for their devotion to us.

I began reading Marley & Me because my nearly fifteen-year-old, deaf, blind, arthritic, and senile Shih-Tzu is in her final days. The thoughts of her impending death and my responsibilities to her during this time fill me with sadness and dread. I hoped that a light-hearted book about another man's experience with his dog would give me comfort and courage... but it didn't.

Instead, Marley & Me was filled with some of the most entertaining and well-written personal stories I have ever read. These stories were about a typical American family that, like many others, happened to include a dog. And, because dogs' lives are so much shorter than ours, Marley & Me, like nearly all the stories of dogs in people's lives, ends in heartbreak.

Marley & Me is much more than just the story of a dog. It is about life and family – about how precious they are. Here is just one example:

\\n  Our two boys brought us more joy than we ever thought anyone or anything possibly could. They defined our life now, and while parts of us missed the leisurely vacations, lazy Saturdays reading novels, and romantic dinners that lingered late into the night, we had come to find our pleasures in new ways – in spilled applesauce and tiny nose prints on window-panes and the soft symphony of bare feet padding down the hallway at dawn. Even on the worst days, we usually managed to find something to smile over, knowing by now what every parent sooner or later figures out, that these wondrous days of early parenthood – of diapered bottoms and first teeth and incomprehensible jabber – are but a brilliant, brief flash in the vastness of an otherwise ordinary lifetime.\\n

I was fully prepared to give this book 3 stars before I started reading it. This was mainly based on seeing the movie. However, as I delved into the book, it truly touched my heart. I found myself laughing at times and yes, I even cried.

Listening on CD might not be a good idea because when driving home from work with your eyes full of tears, it becomes extremely hard to stay in the lines.

Since each book we read is influenced by the experiences in our lives that we bring to the reading, I'm not entirely sure if someone who has never loved something furry would love this book. It would indeed be interesting to see.

(Karen, there's a great part about their dog flunking out of obedience school.)

FYI There is some adult talk in this book as she has a hard time getting pregnant and then experiences a miscarriage etc. This adds a layer of depth and reality to the story that some readers might appreciate, while others might find it a bit too much. Overall, despite my initial expectations, this book turned out to be a surprisingly emotional and engaging read.

Letto ormai non so quanti anni fa.

Quanto ho pianto per questo piccolo cucciolone, voi non potete immaginare.

E' la classica storia in cui il cane non è soltanto un animale da compagnia, ma diventa un vero e proprio compagno di vita, parte integrante della famiglia.

The story is truly touching. It shows how a dog can become such an important part of our lives.

Il fatto che sia una storia vera, raccontata come si racconta una fiaba, rende il tutto ancora più commovente.

It's like a fairytale come it is told, but it's real.

Bellissimo.

It's really beautiful.

Da leggere.

It's a must-read.

This story makes us realize the special bond that can exist between a human and a dog. It's not just about having a pet, but about having a friend for life.

The emotions it evokes are powerful and it will stay with you long after you finish reading.

We should all cherish the relationships we have with our pets and understand the importance they hold in our lives.

This story is a wonderful reminder of that.

In a world filled with bosses, it's refreshing to know that you can be your own master. This sentiment seems to echo through the pages of "Marley & Me". I'm not one to easily give a 5/5 rating, especially not for a memoir. But if I'm being brutally honest, "Marley & Me" truly deserves every bit of it. In fact, if I could rate it higher than 5 stars, I most definitely would.

This is the first non-fiction book that has truly delighted me. It was an absolute joyride from start to finish. I found myself laughing out loud, snickering at the antics, making strange *squeeeeeee* noises, and even shedding a tear or two towards the end. I'm the most dramatic and soppy reader you'll ever meet, and this review will be no exception. It'll be dramatic, perhaps a bit soppy, and maybe even a little nonsensical because there's just so much gushing to do. I think I scared my mum while reading this because she threatened to lock me up in a mental hospital if I didn't stop flailing around with the book and making weird cooing sounds. That's how much "Marley the Dog" affected me.

I've read a few memoirs in the past, and they were depressingly gritty. When I was only eleven, I read about the real-life accounts of a Yakuza's daughter and then another memoir about a girl living with an alcoholic mother. After finishing those, I vowed never to pick up another non-fiction book. So when my sister bought "Marley & Me" a few years ago, I blatantly ignored it. I didn't even want to look at it, thinking it would be uninteresting, depressing, and boring. But now, fast forward to the present, and boy was I wrong about this book.

John and Jenny were happily married, but their lives changed forever when they brought home a Labrador retriever puppy named Marley (after the celebrated singer Bob Marley). What started as a little furball quickly grew into a hyperactive 97-pound dog. Marley caused chaos in their house, breaking furniture, crashing screen doors, tearing cushions, gobbling up receipts, bottle caps, and even figuring out how to dig a hole in the wall. He humped strangers, stole food from unsuspecting kids, stuck his nose into poodle dogs' asses, and not even tranquilizer pills could stop him. Heck, he even failed obedience school. He was an unstoppable machine.

To others, he may have seemed like a wild, ferocious, and uncontrollable thing, but to John and his family - and to his readers - Marley was anything but. As the author wrote, "..... a big, loving dope of a dog whose defense strategy against intruders would surely have been to lick them to death. But the prowlers and predators out there didn't need to know that. To them he was big, he was powerful, and he was unpredictably crazy. And that is how we like it." Marley reminded me that life is finite, and that soon our mortality will catch up with us and death will be inevitable. So why not try to enjoy every precious moment in life?

I've never owned a dog or a pet for that matter. I couldn't even take care of a fish. So I had no idea how the loss of a pet could affect me. I had never known that bond, but when I read this book, I felt the connection between man and dog. The scene where Marley passed away tugged at my heartstrings, and before I knew it, I was crying like a river. Put aside Marley's awesomeness, and you still have John Grogan's excellent writing. Plus, his humor is simply gold. Two thumbs up!

I would highly recommend this book to those who love dogs, own dogs as pets, or even those who want to have a dog of their own. Read it, laugh out loud, and join the ride.

So my mom sent me this book. She thought I was all down after a stupid break up and wanted to cheer me up. But the truth is, I wasn't really down. I was totally fucking pissed off. I went into reading this book seeing red. Maybe that's affected how I interpreted it, but I really think this John Grogan guy and his wife are complete idiots.

There is no reason to ever buy a dog, ever. Ever. There are dogs dying all over the country because people abandon their animals or neglect to have them spayed/neutered. And these two roll up to a backyard breeder to pick out (and pay for) a puppy? Total bullshit. I am so against the mentality that a certain breed "has the traits" someone is looking for or is the kind of dog they grew up with and have fond memories of, and therefore has to be bred, sold and paid for. Go through a rescue group if you INSIST on being a breedist.

Also, there are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners. World's worst dog? World's worst dog owners.

That being said, I don't think these two abused their dog or anything. They were completely unprepared, ignorant and arrogant and I can not respect that at all. If they weren't sure about having a dog and wanted to practice "keeping something alive" they should have fostered. At least then they could have either backed out or adopted, and had help/advice along the way.

I didn't totally hate it, though. I am just awfully adamant about animal rights, and buying/selling dogs is pretty much similar to buying/selling people to me. It's a cruel and unnecessary practice that needs to be stopped. We should all be more responsible and ethical when it comes to our furry friends.

Hands down, this has become a new favorite. I read it out loud at dinner to my Grammy, Boppy, and dad, and then again while snuggled up on a bed with my mom. These stories are truly worth sharing, and I firmly believe that everyone ought to experience them.

Disclaimer: If you have a soft spot for dogs (or really any animal), you will shed tears. I sobbed during the last 20 pages because I couldn't help but think of our own little Sawyer. We don't deserve dogs; that's just the way it is. They love us selflessly and unconditionally until the day they pass away and teach us how to do the same. That is truly something special.

UGH! IT WAS SO GOOD!! I can't recommend this highly enough. It has touched my heart in ways I never expected. I will definitely be reading it again and sharing it with more people.

3.5 stars

He was hardly the world's worst dog. In fact, he sounded quite lovely and was very much loved. Mr Grogan really should have met Bruno. You know, I wouldn't call Bruno the world's worst either! He was just very badly messed up and completely untrainable.

It's interesting how we often categorize dogs in such extreme ways. This dog that Mr Grogan was writing about seemed to have many endearing qualities despite not being perfect. And Bruno, although a bit of a handful, probably had his own charm too.

Maybe we should look beyond the labels and see the individuality in each dog. After all, they all have their own stories and personalities. Just because a dog is a bit difficult doesn't mean it's the worst. There's always potential for improvement and for us to learn to understand them better.

We should give dogs like Bruno a chance and not be so quick to judge. With patience and love, who knows what they might become.

Definitely enjoyed this re-read and now I feel like I need to watch the movie again.

Marley and Me gave me an abundance of joy. The presence of a dog in the story is a major plus for me as I simply adore them. Moreover, it made me laugh out loud numerous times. Puppies and dogs in general have a knack for getting into all sorts of mischief. They can be quite a handful, but the love, kisses, and snuggles they offer are truly well worth it.

John and Jenny also provided a great deal of entertainment. Their antics, especially the comments about the plants, had me in stitches. It reminded me of my sister who loves buying plants but unfortunately, they always seem to wither away. Watching her replace the dying ones with new plants, thinking I won't notice, is hilarious. I always do notice and can't help but snort.

Last, but not least, the ending will forever tug at my heartstrings. I remember crying the last time I read this and watched the movie, so I was somewhat prepared for the tears to flow. And flow they did, but I don't regret a moment of it.

__________________________

ADORABLE AF

Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog was once again incredibly adorable. I've seen the movie countless times and was extremely excited to delve into the book. I truly loved Jenny and John from the very beginning. The whole plant dying scenario had me laughing, and then her leap from a plant to a dog was just comical. For me, I'd much rather have a dog than a plant because of the unconditional love they provide. Her logic, however, was quite amusing.

Another aspect that stood out to me was how dogs can help prepare you for having kids, to some extent. They require a lot of work and can be quite costly, just like children. Marley was a bundle of trouble from the start, but it only made me smile. It vividly reminded me of my first dog and how my two current dogs are. They are all sources of mischief and make my life so much more interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their experiences with this dog. It was precious beyond words, and I loved every single detail. Then came the saddest part, which I was unfortunately already familiar with from the movie. Reading about Marley's death was just heartbreaking. It took me back to the day we had to put down my first dog, Calvin. We did it at home, and it was an incredibly sad day. Calvin had cancer, and when the time came, he passed away very quickly. The whole family was in tears, hugging and kissing him goodbye.

So, when I reached this section about Marley, it definitely brought back some difficult memories. It was a bittersweet experience for me. In the end, I would most definitely re-read this book and re-watch the movie. It was that good. I fell in love with John, Jenny, Marley, and the entire family. They were adorable, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to immerse myself in this wonderful story.

I have no idea why I'm reading this except that I've heard it was good and had a copy given to me. It's like reading a letter from my youngest boy with a few dashes of my own life tossed in. The similarities are scary at times.

I grew up on a farm and raised my kids on one. We've always had dogs, but my son and his wife bought a Lab puppy anyway. What were they thinking?!!! Tec has far too much energy and too little restraint for their little 1/2 acre place. His latest fiasco was grabbing my grandson's shoe and running off with it. My grandson kept his foot in the shoe for enough of the ensuing chase that Tec narrowly escaped with his life. That was the day I started reading this. So, they've asked my wife to bring Tec back with her when she comes back from visiting this month - just for the summer, of course. Right.

A couple of days later, my DIL's latest pregnancy came to a halt - the sonogram showed no heartbeat for the baby. We've had crazed dogs... and there's more, but you get the idea. Very similar.

Unfortunately, the story never really grabbed me. The writing is good, but I just never got caught up in the story. Don't know why, but it was a pleasant way to pass lunch time and I wasn't in a rush to read another book. I liked how good they were to the dog despite everything. The end was touching, but I don't think their lifestyle was suited to the breed of dog. There are a lot of different breeds that would have worked far better for them and the dog.

My English Pointer, Lily, came to me because an idiot bought her as a puppy. They had a small apartment and were gone 12 hours a day. She'd burst from her crate at the 2 times a day they'd let her out and they said she was a bad dog, untrainable. She's a bird dog, meant to range far while her master hiked and hunted all day, so she's got a lot of energy and endurance. SHE IS NOT AN APARTMENT DOG!!! On my farm, where she can run out her energy, she's perfectly behaved and took very little training - a practically perfect puppy. We've had several other dogs rescued from similar situations.

Anyway, that explains why I don't have much sympathy for the trials Marley put the author through and probably why I couldn't connect better with the author. It's a personal problem. I have a chip on my shoulder about suburbanites who own dog breeds they have no business owning.

This is precisely the sort of uproariously funny and entertaining book that I love to read. However, due to the fact that I had seen the movie beforehand, I almost never read books AFTER watching the movie. For me, it's the opposite: I read the book first and then watch the movie, usually to observe how much superior the book is.

It has been a considerable amount of time since I saw the movie, so I decided to give the book a chance, and I'm extremely glad that I did. The humor and non-stop comedy within its pages were an absolute delight. Marley wreaked havoc on countless pieces of furniture and screen doors. He regularly devoured items such as parts of their stereo equipment and, on one occasion, a gold necklace that was a gift from the author, John Grogan, to his wife, Jenny. Grogan then describes in uproarious detail his attempts at being on poop patrol in an effort to salvage the expensive necklace from Marley's copious defecation contributions to their backyard.

Every aspect of the book is either funny or touching. Even the birth of their first child is recounted in hilarious detail.

Marley was expelled from obedience school the first time for being too unruly. When they returned many months later, he did manage to pass, but he promptly snatched his diploma from John's hands and ate it.

If you've ever shared your life with a dog (or even a cat, as they enjoy destroying plants, especially if they're hanging and they can pounce on them from any surface and yank them out of the wall, leaving you to come home to dirt and shredded plant pieces scattered across your carpeting. They also like to knock books off shelves and sit on your keyboard when you're on a work deadline), you'll be able to identify with the humorous tales of how much work animal companions can be and how much we miss them when they're no longer with us. If you live in a place that doesn't permit animals, you'll also feel a bit better about the simplicity and unencumbered nature of your life, but you'll also experience a sense of longing and loss.

For more of my reviews, please visit http://theresaalan.net/blog/

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. 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.

This book is a touching and humorous account of a family's life with their beloved dog Marley. It shows the joys and challenges of raising a pet and how it can impact a family. The author's writing style is engaging and makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think about the importance of love and acceptance in our lives. Whether you're a dog lover or not, MARLEY AND ME is a book that is well worth reading.