Sweet Marley

I realize the bestseller Marley & Me by John Grogan has been out for quite some time but I finally just got around to reading it. Several people had told me how great it is and it’s been on my “to read” list for months. If you’re not familiar with Marley & Me, it’s the story of life with a crazy yellow Lab named Marley. Marley is goofy, loveable, crazy and fiercely loyal to John Grogan and his family.

Well, over the last few days, I read Marley & Me. It’s a funny, sweet, beautiful and heart-wrenching book. If you have a dog that brings immense joy to your life, you must read this book. Just be sure you have a box of Kleenex handy. And you might want to schedule reading the final chapters when you’re home alone so you can blubber uninhibited.

This evening I closed Marley & Me and laid the book on the end table. I crawled onto the floor and just let my dogs lick my face. I gave them hugs and petted their faces.

Mocha once chewed a hardback book autographed by the author. Belle has destroyed more items than I can count. They both shed–a lot. Sometimes they stink. Often they embarrass us by trying to jump on strangers and sniff friends’ private areas. They dig holes in the yard and wallow in mud puddles.

But I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They bring us such joy. Their loyalty and devotion is almost beyond comprehension.

Thank you, John Grogan, for writing such a beautiful book and for putting into words our love for dogs.

And, check out the book’s Web site.