Marley & Me
by John Grogan

Harper Collins, 2005, 289 pp., $19.95
ISBN 9780060833985

In Marley & Me, author John Grogan introduces the reader in first person to his beloved dog. The story starts with how Grogan wanted a puppy to enhance his life with his newlywed. The story unravels when the new puppy named Marley, takes the reader on a roller coaster ride on the methods of puppy training and the benefits of owning a naughty, but beloved family member. The Yellow Labrador Retriever is the heart of Grogan’s family.
Grogan’s sense of humor and ability to take the reader into this book. After reading the first few chapters, the reader is drawn into the pros and cons of dog ownership. Grogan describes all the details a dog owner must consider before actually purchasing a dog. The cast of characters in the book consists of Grogan, his wife Jenny, his friends at the newspaper, his dog, and finally his three children (Patrick, Conor, and Colleen).

When Grogan and Jenny pick out Marley, they thought he would be a perfect dog, just like Grogan’s childhood dog. The trouble started when John and Jenny were leaving the dog breeder and saw the father of the litter running back from a muddy swim in the river. This dog was a terror!

Once Marley was at the Grogan home, Jenny needed to go on a business trip for work. John was left home alone with a barking, whining puppy who missed his brothers, sisters and mom. John couldn’t take all the whining so he brought Marley in bed with him. This proved to be the first mistake. The first thunderstorm in  Grogan’s neighborhood terrorized the new puppy. Marley was home alone and in the garage. When John and Jenny returned, they found a hole in the garage wall, blood all over, paint buckets spilled  and  it looked like a tornado hit the garage. This is just the beginning of the fun the Grogans had with Marley.

The reader wonders why the Grogans kept such a dog for as long as they did. Marley charms the emotions of the reader from his puppyhood though his  teenage years into his old age. Any animal or dog lover should definitely read this book as it shows the love people have for their dogs and what the dog gives back to the owner and his family.

~ reviewed by Ellen