| Looking for a heartwarming frolic | | | | obedience school is hilarious, mostly |
| through the life of a dog? John Grogan | | | | because of the hard nosed dog trainer |
| new bestselling book Marley & Me : | | | | who eventually has her pride fed to her |
| Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog | | | | by Marley in a silver doggy bowl. When |
| delivers. This story of a young family | | | | Marley is cast in a local film |
| making their way through life with the | | | | production as the "typical family |
| help of a neurotic dog will have you | | | | dog", we all cringe at what damage |
| laughing out loud one moment, and then | | | | this dog can do. Sure enough, after a |
| wiping a tear the next. | | | | full day of filming a 15 second clip, |
| Maybe your thinking "I don't like | | | | the only thing Marley has accomplished |
| dogs... why would I want to read an | | | | is destroying the set and chewing |
| entire book about one?" Let me | | | | through his leash. |
| confide with you: that is exactly what I | | | | One of the most memorable stories is |
| thought when I picked Marley & Me | | | | that of the Grogan family going out on |
| off the shelf. I have never owned a | | | | the town for a family dinner. With |
| dog, and don't especially like my | | | | Marley in toe, they decide the Florida |
| neighbor's dog. I have no plans to ever | | | | weather justifies eating outside on the |
| own a pet dog... this book definitely | | | | patio of a ritzy restaurant. Marley is |
| served to solidify my determination | | | | secured to the cast iron dining table, |
| never to own "man's best | | | | and drinks are served. However, when |
| friend". | | | | Marley spots another dog strutting down |
| However, whether or not you are a | | | | the road, he charges after, dragging the |
| "dog person", there is still | | | | metal table with him, and clearing a |
| an awful lot to gain and enjoy while | | | | wake several yards across. Needless to |
| reading this book. The memories are so | | | | say, the family didn't take Marley out |
| personal and heart-felt, at times you | | | | on too many family dinners there after. |
| can completely forget Marley has | | | | A big part of Marley & Me : Life and |
| anything to do with the book. But then | | | | Love with the World's Worst Dog actually |
| he comes barreling back in the next | | | | has very little to do with the big |
| paragraph, bringing humorous antics with | | | | animal. The book reads like a well |
| every step. | | | | written journal, describing the new |
| The book starts with a young couple, | | | | couples excitement over their first |
| John and Jenny, newly weds in Palm | | | | pregnancy, and heartbreak over the |
| Beach, looking for some new challenge in | | | | subsequent miscarriage. John overcomes |
| life. They were deeply in love, with a | | | | deep-rooted family concerns, while Jenny |
| great house, great careers, and not a | | | | copes with serious depression. While |
| care in the world. That lasts about 2 | | | | the book is primarily a comical, |
| pages... that is until they bring Marley | | | | laugh-a-minute adventure, it is |
| home. Little did they know that their | | | | definitely not without its sober |
| lives would never be the same again. | | | | moments. However, these honest and |
| As a ninety-seven pound Labrador | | | | intent pages give Marley & Me the |
| retriever with more energy that an | | | | sole it needs to rise above other |
| Alaskan oil rig, Marley's entry into | | | | light-hearted tales. |
| John and Jenny's life is a whirlwind of | | | | Overall, Marley & Me : Life and Love |
| disaster. Crashing through screen | | | | with the World's Worst Dog is an |
| doors, destroying carpets, gouging | | | | excellent book that can be enjoyed by |
| drywall, eating jewelry are all in a | | | | all sorts of people (even cat lovers). |
| day's work for the pup. Yet through it | | | | The stories are funny and meaningful, |
| all, the book points out the | | | | the drama is heartwarming and sincere, |
| unconditional love Marley has for his | | | | and the dog is a complete mess. In the |
| family, and they have for him. Just as | | | | end, Marley reminds us all that life |
| his ruinous powers appear endless, his | | | | should be lived to its fullest, that we |
| love and loyalty know no bounds. | | | | should love people unconditionally, and |
| In this book John Grogan takes us along | | | | that shredded upholstery is a small |
| to some of Marley's craziest adventures. | | | | price to pay for a life-long friend. |
| The story of Marley being thrown out of | | | | |