Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog

Cute, Touching... Just Great!

Anyone that is an animal lover will love this book. Through out John Grogans life, marriage, children, jobs, marley, the crazy dog, was there. Its one of the most touching books I think anyone could read. Its at the top of my list.

8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Not a "dog" story

I actually started this one still thinking it was more about the dog and at first I was disappointed. But then I started to see beyond Marley's hijinks and realized that this was more about a family and what they went through to become the family they did. Through it all Marley and his antics are a constant and binding element. Whatever they went through, where ever they were, there was Marley - usually destroying something. The ending is what you expect and I had to get down on the floor and hug my lab after I finished the book.

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

GREAT BOOK !!!!!!

I have to say this the most amazing , heart breaking and wonderful book ! If you have a dog this book will truely make you appreciate your life & your best friend ,ive cried and laugh through out his book its an amazing book !!!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Love it!

I absolutely love this book. It almost made me cry but ir was really good.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Heart wrenching

This story was adorable, funny, and heart wrenching altogether. I couldn't put it down. Would recommend to all animal lovers!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Loved this book!!

I fell in love with Marley through John Grogan's words. This book is so much fun to read. I love all of the stories he shares about Marley's destructive habits. I also enjoyed the look into his personal life with his wife. The edition that I have is one with some pictures of Marley and his family. I enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed the book. As sad as the book is, I still enjoyed every minute of it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is Great!

I have not cried over a book since I can remember. I am a huge animal lover and appreciated how much change one dog can bring into a families life. This book ran me through all my emotions. Everything from joy, to sadness, and honeslty had me laughing so hard at some points. Take a moment and read this book, you won't regret it!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

marley and me

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to raise a 97 pound lab? Well, if you have ever wondered you should just ask the Grogans. The Grogans were young and just starting their life together when they decided to get Marley, a yellow lab. As Marley grew into a sweet, affectionate, and disobedient puppy, John and Jenny decided to start a family. Attacking a drywall and eating his was through the wall is just one of the bad many things that Marley has done. Marley guides The Grogans through all the struggles and joys of having children. From the view of Marley, life is all about fun, crashing through screen doors, jumping up on house guests, and swinging slobber in every which way. There is only one thing that is not fun to Marley at all, and that is thunderstorms. No matter what Marley¿s owners did it just wasn¿t enough. Jenny, one of Marley¿s owners is a mother of three. At times she can be very impatient with Marley because he is so disobedient. Jenny¿s husband John is the patient trainer of Marley, who takes him to puppy classes. No matter what Marley did john knew that at one point Marley would get better, but Jenny on the other hand would get rid of Marley in two seconds if she could. These characters are all important to the book Marley and Me. Marley and Me by John Grogan is a great book for og lovers. In this book I could picture everything that was going on because the author, John Grogan did a really good job describing what happened with lots of details. There were also a few very unexpected and surprising events that took place making me more curious about what would happen next. This book is a must read for all pet lovers

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Made me want to get a labrador retriever

Marley & Me is John Grogan¿s touching memoir in which he recounts the stories of his exuberant dog, Marley, and how he changed the life of him and his wife, Jenny. The story starts out in Boca Raton, Florida, home to newly wed couple John and Jenny. After their first fight as a married couple, they agree to name their seemingly harmless new puppy Marley, after the singer Bob Marley, whom they loved. Grogan¿s novel is the uplifting tale of how one dog completely changed the lives of him and his wife. This story can truly be summarized by the quote on the cover of the novel, ¿life and love with the world¿s worst dog.¿ Obedient is not a word one would use to describe Marley. Marley quickly grew into a big strong Labrador alpha male, and was not easy to deal with. He could never quite understand what his owners wanted from him. He also he failed out of obedience school. One of the themes of the novel was that humans could learn something from dogs. Although Marley was not well behaved, he was always forgiven because he had a good heart and really loved his family. While I read the book, I grew very attached to Marley, and I felt like he was my dog too. I laughed at the comical things he did, wanted to throw him out of the house for misbehaving, and couldn¿t help but think how cute he was whenever he expressed how much he loved his owners. I agree with the theme, because sometimes dogs can express their feelings better than people can, and they really mean well. Marley understood his owners, too, as he comforted them in times of need and protected them when he felt they were in trouble. I liked this book because as a dog owner, it really captured how life-changing getting a dog can be and how a dog is really a part of the family. As I stated before, I really felt like I got to know Marley, and I felt very attached to him. I would recommend this book to anyone around 13 and older. I gave it 4 stars because I liked it a lot, and I found it enjoyable to read. As the book asks, ¿Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a larger than life bad-boy dog?¿ I would have to agree. I think all humans can learn from the unconditional love and the ability to live life to the fullest from dogs like Marley.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Such a good story.

This book was wonderfully touching. John Grogan is superb writer. He never wasted a word and did a wonderful job of illustrating Marley's crazy antics. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I think everyone who has ever loved a pet should read it, too.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Hmm

I own a newfoundland puppy that is only about 5 months but already about 75lbs. So much for a puppy! But i can tell you all 1 thing, i would never ever ever ever ever treat my dog the way Marley was treated. This dog should have been the center of attention in my oppinion. I am 12 years old and even i know how to take care of a dog. I MEAN REALLY, A GARAGE FLOOR? This dog was pretty much part of an experiment. I dont think any person would want to be used as an experiment. All i really really really have to say is...

KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG, AND YOUR DOG WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well worth it

My favorite book by far

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommand

this book is great for the young reader also

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is reccomended big time.

The nool will make you life within the first few chapters guarenteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Marley and ME!

I didnt really want to read it at first because i thought it would be cheesy.(i hate cheese) but my friends persuaded me to. So i did and-boy was i wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sad and excited all at the same time. Now i feel cheesy!!!!!!!!(i hate cheese)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Marley & Me will make you laugh out loud, & if you've ever had a rambunctious pup, of any breed, It will take you back & even make you shed a tear or 5.

I have read many, many books about dogs, & all sorts of animals, but John Grogan really nails what raising a pup is all about. I laughed, cried & thoroughly enjoyed this smoothly, well-written book. I almost got kicked out of bed, for loud laughter, in the middle of the night. My husband is not a reader, & doesn't understand how I can get so involved, in a book!!! Marley & Me is truly a must read, & one of the best animal stories I have read, in many years. I hope John Grogan writes gets a more, & quickly.:) still giggling/ 7catmom.Mary Ann EggermanMarley & Me gets a 5* rating, from this old cat lover!!!!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Where is the love?

After reading the reviews for this book, I understand why my mother thought I would enjoy it as my boyfriend and I have three rescued dogs with a vast array of issues. Having read the book - I am perplexed at the lack of commentary by other dog lovers on the treatment of this 'beloved' dog. I would love to hear from other readers who were as disturbed as I was from the archaic treatment of this family pet. 1. They buy the dog from a back yard breeder as ¿practice¿ for a baby while millions of dogs are euthanized every year because there are not enough homes for them. He later describes Marley as ¿his problem¿ that he has to deal with and isn¿t it great that he decides not to dump ¿his problem¿ on someone else. 2. Marley is given a ¿home¿ in the garage ¿ enough said. 3. One of the most disturbing aspects of the book was the ¿training¿ that Marley was given. Listening to the author happily describe numerous times the choking sound as he yanked the metal choke collar again and again made me sick to my stomach. Never mind the fact that a dogs instinct is to pull against something that is choking them in an attempt to get away from the discomfort, the slightest sense of humanity would tell you that the sounds he was making were out of not being able to breathe!!! 4. I could go on and on as to the ways that this book was the antithesis for loving your pet but this part of the book brought tears to my eyes. Having previously described how Marley tried to keep Jenny company while she was on bed rest, this passage absolutely broke my heart and infuriated me at the same time. The author describes how his wife was suffering from post-partum depression and lauds her for never taking it out on the kids. Bravo. He then mentions how ¿regretfully¿ she did decide to take it out on Marley. The nastiness and coldness were enough to make my skin crawl but when I hear him describe his wife BEATING the dog with her fists that did it for me. She then goes on to tell him that he has to ¿get rid¿ of Marley. Great. Blindly buy a dog from a back yard breeder without any sort of research. ¿Train¿ the dog by choking it with a metal collar around his neck. Keep him in the garage. Finally, ignore the dog (he was only ¿practice¿ anyways) and then physically and emotionally abuse him once you have kids. I guess what bothers me more than anything is how so many people agree that this is a story about a family and their beloved pet. How can you applaud someone for not being cruel to their own children and then in the next breath describe them beating their submissive helpless animal that they brought into their home? Are we supposed to like these people? To sum it up - IF I WERE TO COME HOME TO FIND MY BOYFRIEND BEATING MY DOG ¿ THE DOG WOULD NOT BE THE ONE LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME!!!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Awful

This author is the most arrogant person. I was so excited to buy this book because I love animals. The preface of this book turned me off from the beginning because of the authors remarks on older dogs at the pound (being someone else's charity). This man is horrible. All dogs are good and deserved to be loved. You are missing out on the true love of any creature include people. I am sorry I ever bought this book and sorry for all the animals that give their unconditional love to this author.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Dog, Horrible Owners

The 1 star for this book is because the author was honest, at least. If you're expecting a book about a dog with behavioral problems and owners who were committed to loving him and helping him, you will be disappointed. Here are the reasons I disliked this book: 1) Jen wanting a dog 'as practice' before having children. This is the reason there are so many unwanted dogs in shelters. A dog is a living, breathing thing with emotions and needs, and should not be brought into a home 'as practice' in being parents. 2) The author's pride in purchasing a purebreed from a breeder. How about having pride in saving an unwanted dog from an animal shelter? 3) The author's issues with manliness as shown by not wanting Marley to be neutured. Why wouldn't he be more concerned about controlling the dog population, as well as helping calm Marley? 4) The wife hitting Marely with her fists during a bout of postpartum depression. This is inexcusable. However, the author tried to rationalize her behavior by stating that Marley didn't feel anything. Perhaps Marley didn't feel anything physically, but I assure you he felt emotionally crushed. And throughout reading the book, I often felt like the author had to keep reminding us how much Jen loved Marley. I didn't believe it. 5) Jen wanted to get rid of Marley. Again, why do so many parents take their frustrations out on the 'family' dog, ignore the dog once the kids come around, and then want to get rid of the dog when things become challenging? 6) Not telling Marley he was a 'great dog' until 1 minute before he was put down and so doped on drugs that he probably didn't even comprehend. 7) Marley had skin problems due to sleeping on a hard garage floor. Why wasn't he at least given a soft dog bed? 8) If they cared so much about Marley, why wasn't he given a muzzle which might have helped lesson his destructiveness and injury? Why wasn't he given a dog sling when he was having so much trouble walking up and down the stairs? Why wasn't he given arthritis meds.? 9) He and his wife poking fun at the wordings of dog adoption ads. How cruel. You know those dogs are going to end up homeless and at animal shelters. 10) Some dogs just don't do well being boarded, and Marley was one of them. I thought it was heartless that after Marley had gastric bloat most likely do to the stress of being around the other upset boarded dogs at the vet, that they went on vacation to Disney World, boarding him again. Why didn't they bring a dog sitter into their home, like they did during their Ireland trip, so at least Marley could be around familiar sights and smells? 11) The reference to 9/11 and the author's philosophical perspective was forced and did not belong. 12) The only times the author truly showed love toward Marely was when he trained him so Jen wouldn't get rid of him, and when he slept next to him in a sleeping bag downstairs. Why do people wait until the dog is going to be gotten rid of, or until the dog is going to die, to show love toward the dog? 13) The last couple of pages describing Jen and the author reading an ad about a puppy and describing how it seemed as if Marley was reincarnated, seemed so fake.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

OMG

Sooooooo gooood!!!!!!!!!