"marley & me"

I agree, they are idiots and I don't think they know it even now, although maybe Marley did teach them I hope so for the next dog's sake.
I did like the writting, but I thought they were both morons and she was just a mean bitch most of the time. Every single bit of trouble that Marley got into was there fault.
And these same people get to raise kids GOOD GRIEF!

I am on page 70ish.  I read t at the gym but since the chapters don't move quickly (like the James Patterson novels I prefer) it is not keeping my interest as much.  I have laughed and cried while reading it though. 
 
Also, keep in mind, they said they were first time owners, and it was a while ago.  They did make efforts to train him, etc.  They also seemed to acknowledge much of t was puppy issues. I am not that far into the story, but Marley does seem like a happy dog.  He may not be the best trained, but he seems happy.  I have not gotten to any of the hitting yet apparently.  I'll let you know what I think if I ever finish it.

What turned me off in the first chapter was that they got him at a "Puppy Farm" (which in reality means Puppy Mill)
 
I guess you could say I spend WAY too much time here because when I was reading it, I was thinking to myself "Gee, I wonder if Anne or Mic could have helped him out here."

I've read the book...because I have a Labrador Retriever named Marley (after Bob). We named our Marley before the book came out though. I have to say...a lot of their encounters, while they may not of handled things the way we all would, was typical Labrador Retriever!!! Perhaps you need to own one of these big Goof Balls to make connections with the book. I laughed and I cried.

First of all they did NOT get Marley from a "Puppy Mill or Farm."
Here is my evidence from the book:

Lori ws what was known as a backyard breeder. When it came to buying a purebred dog, we were pure novices, but we had read enough to know to steer clear of puppy mills, those commercial breeding operations that churn out purebreds like Ford churns out Tauruses...Lori, on the other hand was a hobbyist, motivated more by love of the breed than by profit.

As far as the thunderstorms...it seemed that Marley was one of those dogs who had a nuerological disorder. Yes! I believe they had him in the garage THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. They had no idea the dog had this problem...I do remember part of the book where Grogan was rushing home to beat the Thunderstorm after they found out about the problem. They lived in Florida. Anyway, I'm looking for the quote, but can't find it! I'll post it when I do....sorry I have a degree in English...so I have to back up what I write with evidence from the book! []

Marley's mom is correct.  I just read that part of the book recently.  Also, I believe the book did even talk bad about the idea of a BYB when they said they wish they had seen the father dog before agreeing to the dog because then as they were leaving with the pup they saw the crazy acting dad dog.  It left me with the impression that you should research your dog more, etc.
 

lol Justine, now we've put you to work. I did laugh and cry thru-out too.
I agree w/ you laura I thought about Mic and Anne through the whole book. lol, I need a life too

I too have read the book.
I was shocked when she hit the dog, I have to admit I cried and had to put the book down for the night I was so upset for Marley.
 
No bad dogs just bad owners..........
 
In the end I think they became better dog parents.
 
 

i guess we have to credit the author for being honest about how he treated marley. a lab isn't easy for a novice dog owner. but i still felt sad for the dog... oh well, at least it's an experience people will learn from.

I thought they did a lot of dumb things.  I was especially shocked when they flew the dog in a crate that was obviously too small!  I can't believe that the airline let them.  That was pretty awful.
 
I thought that the book was kind of annoying.  It was more about the author than about his dog...and I felt that the author was pretty full of himself.  I mean, his life just wasn't interesting enough to warrant an autobiography disguised as a dog story!
 
And I had to roll my eyes when he wrote the long description of tossing a stick for the dog and then - wait for this, it's soooooo funny - pretending to throw the stick!  And the dog ran!  Isn't that just hilarious?  From the way he wrote it, it sounds like he thinks that he invented it.  I can't help but wonder...has this guy ever been around dogs before?    I'm a new dog owner, and even I knew that dogs will run after things when you pretend to throw them.
 
I cried at the end, though.  I'll give it that much.
 
Overall, I didn't like the book at all.