Marley and Red and Bear
I didn’t mean to pick the perfect audio book, but I did.
The whole way up to Colorado we’ve been listening to Marley and Me, by John Grogan. It’s been on the New York Times bestseller list forever, it seems, and I finally got around to it.
I see why the book deserves all the attention it’s been getting. In a way, it’s just the quiet story of a man and his family, punctuated by tales of the dog who was there for some of the more pivotal moments of their lives. But Grogan tells the story in a way that makes us care deeply and identify with the trials and triumphs of his little pocket of the world.
Marley was John Grogan’s huge, goofy, destructive, life-loving yellow Labrador. As a clue to why I had to pull over the car yesterday because I was crying so hard I was dangerous on the road, remember that one of the reasons we’re in Colorado right now is to scatter the ashes of our own big goofy yellow Lab named Red. And along with us for the ride is our black Lab Bear. So it’s a Lab fest this week (and I’m not even talking about Bear’s puppy reunion party tonight, which I can only imagine will be epic).
There are some writers who make you care about things you would swear you have no interest in. Pat Conroy’s My Losing Season is a perfect example. Why should I care about his high school and college basketball experiences? But I did care, compulsively, and couldn’t wait to hear what happened next.
Same with Grogan. Maybe what happens to him and his family isn’t so unusual, and even though he calls Marley the world’s worst dog, I’m sure we can all think of worse, but the story gets to you. If you love dogs at all, this will be the book to read or listen to when you’re tired of paying attention to the news. It will make you appreciate your own dog–not to mention your own quiet life–even more.
Technorati Tags: Dogs, Pets, Marley and Me, John Grogan, Labrador Retrievers, Pat Conroy, My Losing Season, Books, Reading
August 15th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
We had a cat that my Mom had rescued from the parking lot at her job when he was a kitten who had to be put to sleep a few years ago,so I know how you feel about Red. Fortunately,we adopted another kitty from the pound sometime later and he’s just as endearing to us in a completely different way.
I agree with you about writers who can make you care about a subject that normally disinterests you-had the same experience when I read Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch(the British film version rocks,btw. Never wanted to see the US one-Jimmy Fallon can’t hold a candle to Colin Firth).
August 15th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Lady T, you’re so right about “he’s just as endearing to us in a completely different way.” You think you’re replacing a beloved pet, but what you really get is a brand new life with its own personality.
In Marley and Me, John Grogan refers to his previous dog as “Saint Sean,” and wants any other dog to measure up.
Red and Bear are NOTHING alike. But I love each of them completely.
Maybe that’s the only solace when our dogs and cats die too young (meaning within their life expectancy). The next one will be different and also perfect in his or her own way.
August 15th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
rb, thank you so much for mentioning that book. i entirely forgot that i recieved a copy as a gift for christmas. i’m going to dig it out right now. did you mention “sight dog” on this blog as a must read for anyone who ever owned a dog or has a human heart beating in their chest? if not, this is my endorsement.