Book Review: Marley and Me by John Grogan

"Life and love with the world's worst dog," proclaims the subtitle of Marley & Me. Underneath the title is a cute Labrador puppy, a yellow bundle of fur with a cocked head and an expression that seems to say, "Worst dog? Who me?"

John Grogan weaves a story about his pet that will literally have you in stitches as he recalls life with a "ninety-seven pound steamroller." One cannot help feeling every disaster, every moment of development and ongoing love that radiates throughout the book. Grogan writes with a style that captivates the reader from the moment the first page is opened.

My mother-in-law had this book lying on her counter and I couldn't resist picking it up and getting a closer look at the adorable puppy with the large paws that didn't seem to fit.

The world's worst dog? Oh come on. How bad can it be?

Grogan fills the pages with thirteen years of Marley's antics. Right from the beginning, Marley arrives in their home filled with "unbridled exuberance and joy", gulping down bowls of puppy chow and decorating the yard with memorable mounds. After two lessons at obedience schoo, he was kicked out. He barreled through screen doors, creating his very own doggie door.

Before long, the Grogans discovered that Marley had a fierce phobia of storms. He destroyed every room he was kept in while they were gone. The Grogans even purchased a steel cage, but Marley managed to mangle that as well.

One shake of the head, and Marley covered every surface with foaming drool. He got into everything, devouring many non-food items, including his wife's birthday present: a gold necklace.

I found myself chuckling out loud so many times that I finally had to read a couple of paragraphs to my family to explain all the laughter. We acquired a new family member in January, a West Highland White Terrier named Kaycie. Our puppy is still going through some stages where she decorates the carpet or chews up the wrong things, so we could all relate to the "worst dog" concept.

About halfway through the book, I started to realize that I was going to get to an ending that I didn't want to face. Every pet lover knows that once they bring a pet home, there is going to be heartbreak as well. We often outlive our pets.

Marley & Me will touch the hearts of pet lovers and even those without pets, because it is the story of finding love, courage and loyalty in the face challenging situations.

Grogan discovered that he wasn't alone in having the world's worst dog-- many readers wrote in to share their own tales of similar "Marleys."

This is an excellent book to take to the beach and kick back with a tall drink.

Just make sure you sit far enough away from other beachgoers or you'll have to explain every guffaw.