Marley And Me

What are you reading or what have you read recently that you would recommend ?

I recently finished reading "Marley and Me", the book that Maria on "Silver Fox Whispers" recommended. I really enjoyed this story (true) about a misbehaving yellow lab and his owners trials tribulations and joy they found in loving "Marley" the big dumb ox.

After reading about Marley, I felt I wanted to learn more about the author,John Grogan, so I looked him up at the "Philadelphia Enquirer" newspaper where he is a columnist.

I read his "expose" column*** in which he ,"tongue in cheek", compares his book with the James Frey book " A Million Little Pieces" Frey has been accused of plagiarism and exaggaration.

(from John Grogan's column)

***"Marley & Me: The whole truth
In light of the scandal enveloping best selling author James Frey, who now admits his purportedly nonfiction memoir "A Million Little Pieces" is riddled with fabrications and exaggerations, the online accuracy watchdog "SmokingCanine.com "has launched an investigation into another memoir currently topping best-seller lists. We now bring you this shocking expose:. PHILADELPHIA - Credible evidence has surfaced that Inquirer columnist John Grogan might have greatly exaggerated Marley's antics"


My email to John Grogan ,
Subject: Marley And Me Expose Column

Funny I should happen upon your article about the "allegations" regarding you and Marley.

After finishing "Marley And Me" I asked my daughter, who had also read the book, if she really believed that Marley could have done all those wild and crazy things or if the author embellished some of the antics.

She said yes, she did believe every word. And then she reminded me of the black Lab mix that could have been Marley's twin separated at birth as far as behavior is concerned. Daughter tried obedience training but "Georgia" just did not get it. After Georgia ate up a 5 foot long wooden planter and part of the deck, daughter could take it no longer so she gave "Georgia" to a friend who had a farm.

On the other hand our son who had the litter mate to Georgia (he named her Allie since he and his family had found the two pups on the side of the highway on their return trip from Alabama to Georgia,) would not think of giving up his Lab who coexists with the two Jack Russells who were the original dogs in their family. We all think that Allie got more of the Lab DNA than Georgia did. I did not know until then that pups from the same litter can have different Dads.

Anyway I am not quite finished with "Marley And Me" but I know how it will end as Marley is not feeling well and has lost his hearing so I am preparing to cry at the end.

Our last dog was a Springer Spaniel named "Mollie". Smartest dog that ever graced this planet. She must have had a terrific internal clock. Every night she would get up from her favorite spot in the den and put herself to bed in the kitchen at exactly 10pm. When the time changed she went to bed at 9pm until her clock reset itself. Like Marley, our Mollie also went deaf a few years before her death. Sad.

"Mollie" died in our kitchen from smoke inhalation after lightening struck our house while we were out for the evening. Sweet dog. that broke my heart. I still miss her.

Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble but you probably know how grandmothers love to talk. I just wanted to tell you I am sorry for even thinking you might have taken poetic license about Marley.

"Marley and Me" is a great book and a fine tribute to Marley.

You really loved that big guy.

Chancy Gardner

John Grogan's Reply:

Reply: "Thanks for your note, Chancy...and yes, it's ALL true. As any Lab owner knows, these dogs do the darnedest things.

best to you, John"