“I was aware that maybe he held the secret for a good life. Never slow down, never look back, live each day with adolescent verve and spunk and curiosity and playfulness. If you think you’re still a young pup, then maybe you are, no matter what the calendar says. Not a bad philosophy for life, though I’d take a pass on the part that involved vandalizing couches and laundry rooms.”
I came across this book on Goodreads and being a dog-lover myself decided to give it a read. I knew it was going to be a light read and it did prove to be one. It’s a memoir by John Grogan, a newspaper journalist, the focus of the book being his pet dog Marley and the years spent with him. He has chronicled the good as well as the testing times of his life and how Marley played his role during those times.
He begins with telling about the dog his family owned when he was a child and how that dog had set high standards when it came to discipline and good behavior. After his marriage, he along with his wife decide to adopt a puppy. He then describes the day when they visit the breeding center and how he finally settles for Marley, a Labrador retriever, among so many puppies. He writes about his initial days in their house and how they gradually discover habits and traits of Marley. A dog owner can relate to instances such as Marley chewing away the household stuff right from towels and shoes to furniture. They discover about his anxiety problems when left alone during thunderstorms. The author recounts the hard times Marley gave him in the obedience classes and how eventually he was dismissed from the same. When they welcome their first baby in the house, John outlines Marley’s gentle and caring behavior. The book is filled with instances of Marley’s antics as a young dog and then as a grown up one. John gradually introduces the reader to an old Marley and his signs of entering into the evening of his life.
John’s sense of humor all along the book(though a bit exaggerated at some places) does not let this book become dull and drab for the reader. Being a dog-lover and having one for years in my house, I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. It made me laugh a lot of times and I found my eyes welled up towards the end. I realized that Marley was definitely not the worst dog(as the title says) but he had some distinctive characteristics(which every dog has). He was troublesome at times but overall he was an affectionate and a kind dog. John too might not have been the perfect owner but his portrayal of Marley as an integral part of different stages of his life leaves an impact on the reader.
I would recommend this book to every person fond of dogs and their ways and to anyone looking for a light read.
PS- The lines in the beginning of this post reflect the indomitable spirit which the author discovered in Marley as he grew old. Neither the dog wanted to get old nor his love for the family he grew up with.
Potpourri of Thoughts 
Can co relate to this having had a dog. Marley looks so adorable…
Yes, In fact I think most of the people who’ve had a dog can relate to it. 🙂