This is a story about a man’s best friend as alluded to in the title, which also affirms the dog’s character as the world's worst dog. Grogan delves into how pets become part of our lives through our up and downs and the consequent stages of life. The dog’s character is the source of conflict in Grogan’s account as it occasionally causes annoyance, happiness, and even hilarity. The narrator gives emphasis to this member of the family who they shared their lives with all through the successes and disappointments. In essence, the story centers on the relationship between man and dog but it is largely about parenthood and domesticity.
The book chronicles Grogan's life from childhood on his first time owning a pet dog to his years as a family man. Therefore introduces this connection between man, dog, and family that transcends our perceptions about relationships and life in general. Marley is described as an excitable and unruly dog that is full of energy and habitually destructive yet joyous nonetheless. Thus, the narrator chronicles significant moments in their lives that either brought happiness or sorrow whilst Marley continued being Marley. In that, the dog’s character persists whereas people experience challenges and triumphs as they undergo emotional growth and maturity. The narrator offers anecdotes that shed light on their complicated relationship with their dog. Even charts their attempts towards containing the dog’s behavior through training and medications to no avail. Thus the owners decide to accept Marley with all his flaws which become his strengths in certain moments.
Accordingly, Grogan highlights the dog’s conduct and fixations that are displays of love and energy yet can be misconstrued for misbehavior. Therefore rather than get rid of Marley or try to change him they choose to fit into his ‘world’ and not the other way round. He delves into how animals express themselves but are often misunderstood despite their overt exhibition of friendship and loyalty. The story is meant to encapsulate the life of Marley to place emphasis on his eventual demise. A pet that was present through the family's most memorable and life-changing moments hence a part of it all.
