Marley & Me: What do ya think Lab owners?

I have the book in hardcover and my wife has it on audio; we kind of "read" it together while she is at the school for the blind in Portland, OR. I am sooooo glad that her Lab Guides havent turned out like Marley. Her retired Guide is a big 75lb. yellow like Marley, but her current one is a little bitty 46 lb. black, so we have run from one side of the spectrum to the other.

We were able to relate to some (some) of the antics mentioned in the book, but geeeez-------most of it would have been too much for me.  Or I have just been spoiled by having had such well trained and behaved Labs around for the last 8 years.

We do plan on seeing the movie---she will be home in a week (after being gone since Oct 5th) and we are planning it to be part of her "homecoming" celebrations.

Therein lies an interesting point. Even if the author had an inaccurate view of Labs and certainly was a problem as an errant human, as evidenced by their second dog and having an intervention with that dog, I think that points to one's perspective. For them, Marley was more than a handful. In the hands of an educated Lab owner who knows what to do, it ain't nothing but a thang, i.e., no big deal at all. Some hunters I know do not let dogs in the house. They have Labs and take them hunting and that's their job. Otherwise they keep them in a fenced yard or big kennels or build a pen out of gate sections you can buy at tractor supply. Or they run loose on the farm and wear themselves out. By the time they get back to the house, it's all they can do to eat something and collapse on the porch for a well-earned nap.

I noticed in the episode of Dog Whisperer that they second dog was wanting to mess with their other small animals. What's the dealio? Did it ever occur to them that dogs sometimes view small animals as prey? Anyway, I would still see the movie, even if it's a lesson in what not to do or what to expect. So many people think that all dogs are like the one dog they knew as a kid, not realizing the temperment mattered, that training mattered, that breeding mattered. So, they get a dog, now, living on a fantasy from years ago and are so surprised when things are different. Owning a dog is different than owning a goldfish and I hope this movie points that out more than whatever someone expects of a Lab.

End of rant. I like movies that Owen Wilson does and I wouldn't mind seeing this one. And I'm glad to see he's back from his dark place.

ron2

So many people think that all dogs are like the one dog they knew as a kid, not realizing the temperment mattered, that training mattered, that breeding mattered. So, they get a dog, now, living on a fantasy from years ago and are so surprised when things are different.

You've met my other half haven't you? ::eye roll::

Yep, this is him to a T.  His family had a BCX when he was a kid and she was, apparently, an "amazing dog".  However, most of what he remember is when she was fully grown, and THAT is through rose tinted specs. 

I have spoken to my MIL who has assured me that this "amazing dog" was a Houdini (despite the fact she went bikig with her every day day) and she also liked to eat knickers off the washing line (amongst other things).  They almost rehomed her twice before she as 2 years old because she was way too much of a handful - waaaay more than they expected.  They had just wanted a family dog, a nice pet for the kids....

Back to topic, I have also not read the book for the precise reasons Kate and mudpuppy mentioned.  From what others have said, I just know that the dog got a raw deal, with ignoramus owners, and it's been totally glorified.  I will not be watching the film!  Also, I don't think the film can do any more damage than Andrex did, so they should just go knock themselves out....