The Story of Man's Best Friend (Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog - John Grogan)

Member Name: Foxy-Lady

Product:	Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog - John Grogan
Date:	28/05/08 (392 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining

Disadvantages: Quite upsetting

As a dog lover and owner, I've wanted to read this book for a while now. The thought of a family pet being the main character of the story really appealed to me in its unusual concept. In my mind I thought I'd thoroughly enjoy it...and I was right!

Marley. Where does one begin with a dog such as this one! The subtitle of the book is 'Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog' and I would say that it is a very fair description!...

Introduced into the Grogan family home as practise for having a baby (?!), the Golden Labrador puppy instantly exhibits signs of his 'interesting' character. A chance meeting with the seemingly unhinged father should have set alarm bells ringing with the Grogans but they thought nothing more of it. The usual playfulness of a canine youngster is present but Marley is...how can I put it?...a bit different to say the least. You could even go as far as calling him unique.

Punctuated with snapshots of Marley at the start, the reader would be forgiven for thinking that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. This wonderful book chapters his life as he leaps and bounds from one disaster to the next, including many funny, embarrassing and cringe inducing moments. Many dog owners will fully sympathise with the Grogans as Marley destroys yet another item of furniture or chews up personal belongings. I could certainly relate to many of the tales told by John Grogan, an American journalist. I have a Staffie who is now 8 years old but when she was a pup she had a fondness for chewing - anything and everything. We came home one day to find that she had eaten into a plasterboard wall, leaving a gaping crater in the wall. Picking objects up off the lawn that had 'passed through' was not unheard of either! Her behaviour was not a patch on Marley though.

Hyperactive, destructive, powerful and cheeky are just a few ways to describe the personality of this memorable and unusual hound. Traits which result in a somewhat haphazard relationship with the Grogan family, not helped by his severe phobia of thunderstorms which unleashes a 'mental' side that can only be calmed with the use of sedatives.

Despite his wealth of flaws and mischievous nature it's apparent that Marley is an overwhelmingly loyal and faithful dog, simply eager for affection from his owners. Anecdotes of his naughty escapades are intertwined with general stories of day to day life and just how Marley fits in with the dynamics of the family and grows with the increasing brood. Boundless energy remarkably disappears in the presence of the children and a tender side to the 97 pound gentle giant emerges. You just can't help but grow to love this dog!

Having said that, how the Grogans coped with Marley I'll never know. Patience and perseverance were obviously needed, particularly during the attempts at training when some amusing tales of obedience classes are recalled. It's highly entertaining to say the least.

Written in a straightforward and honest manner, I can't fault this book. Aswell as offering something a bit different in terms of content, it's hilarious, it's poignant, it's touching and it's emotional. Dog owners will laugh knowingly at Marley's socially unacceptable behaviour and whilst reading, the book really makes you think about your furry friends, giving them an extra big hug. And when old age finally forces Marley to grow up, the tears will be literally rolling down your cheeks as you reminisce about old friends or envisage your family pet a few years down the line. It's quite upsetting but it's thought provoking too.

I can clearly see why John Grogan decided to write this book. Having a much loved dog with such a psychotic persona, you'd want to put it down in words too!





Hardback version:
Pages: 304
Cover price: £12.99 (available on Amazon for £8.59)
Published by: Hodder & Stoughton (June 2006)
ISBN-10: 0340922095
ISBN-13: 978-0340922095

Summary: That dog is nuts!