Marley & Me

Reader reviewed by Amanda

I am so glad I used this book as a substitute in my Non-Fiction Five challenge. It was such a delight to read...I constantly had a smile on my face. I had heard so many wonderful things about this memoir, however just hadn't bothered checking it out of the library and now that I have, I can't wait to talk about it to as many people as possible. See, I have my own "Marley" at home and it gives me just the warmest feeling to know that someone loves their dog, even being a member of the "Bad Dog Club," as much as I love mine. Look for some pictures of my own "Marley" at the end of the post.


Marley & Me is written by John Grogan, the owner of the precocious Marley. He and his wife, Jenny, purchased the yellow lab from a breeder early on in their marriage, after being given a "clearance" price for that particular puppy. Marley grows with the couple, moving residences, participating in family raising and basically destroying things (though John and Jenny seem incredibly patient). This is, as the book's slogan states, the world's worst dog. It is also one of the best. Marley always keeps the family laughing, except when they're crying about something else he had broken or messed up in some. His terrifying fear of thunderstorms was somewhat comical, yet heartbreaking when he would harm himself trying to get away from the thunder. Marley was a family's worst nightmare, but the best thing that could happen to them as well.


I loved this book, I really did. I sat down and read it in one sitting, as it read like a quick novel, rather than a drawn out memoir. I would have loved to have seen pictures of Marley in action included in the pages, rather than only on the inside front and back over (which was mostly covered due to the stuck on dust cover). I'm sure he was a very photogenic dog, loving the limelight as he did! I really enjoyed reading about Marley's life and if you need a good laugh and a quick read, I completely encourage you to pick this up. Now for pictures of our "Marley, " meet Shae.


Shae is a crazy dog in every sense. She has boundless energy and throws her 55lb body at everyone who walks in the door. Good thing she has some terrier in her or she would be huge! She starts her hello wiggle from her tail and it works it's way all the tip of her nose. She wiggles her backside so hard that she often smacks herself in the eye with her tail. It's quite funny! She is house broken, yet can't break herself of digging in the backyard. If there's dirt, she'll dig. Just like Marley, Shae feels the need to take a gallon of water from her dish, in her mouth, and carry it with her through the house, spilling it everywhere. Unlike Marley, Shae is not a purebred Lab, but a mixed breed, Pit Bull terrier, the former making her feared of by many. The only thing this dog will do is lick you to death. She is definitely a lapdog, though not of the right size whatsoever. She will lick away tears and make you laugh until you cry all over again. She is our sweet, demonic, Shae.