John Grogan’s novel “Marley and Me” is an autobiographical story about his childhood, his adult life with his family and beloved dog – Marley.
The story begins with John’s memories of his childhood, when his father bought him a cute little dog he named Saint Shaun, as the dog was that kind of pet, who perfectly fit in the family, was the best friend to little John, who was a kind of wonder for the guests of the Grogans.
Then John grew up, met his future wife Jenny, who, by the way, also had a dog, Saint Winnie, being a child. Once he presented Jenny a plant, which was a kind of “guinea pig”, something alive to take care of, in order to be the good parents in future. But the wife didn’t manage to take care of it. So, she asked John to buy a dog, saying that she’d manage with it. John agreed, because both he and Jenny had had dogs before, so they knew how to look after them. So, they bought a cute little Labrador, but they haven’t taken into account that while his mother was a calm and kind dog, his father was something enormously fast, goofy, crazy and demented, which was hard to be called a common dog. So, they bought the dog and were ready to start happy and carefree life with the pet, but no such luck. The dog turned to be a copy of his father. He was awfully disobedient, there was no minute when he’d be calm and quite, he was eating everything he saw: gold chain, shoes, curtains, kilograms of mangoes, plastic soldier, gum, towels, sponges, socks, napkins and many other interesting things. He grew up into a huge and beefy dog, and the passers-by, guests and neighbors of the Grogans began to dread him. They didn’t know that this fright, who rushes at them, just wants to show them his love and favor.
Years passed, Jenny gave birth to 3 beautiful children, Patrick, Connor and Colleen, moved to better house in more prestigious region of country, John advanced up the career ladder. As for the dog, he didn’t change: he stayed that bunch of energy, as he was before.
13 years passed after that day, when John and Jenny took little Marley to their house. The dog became old, many different illnesses began to pester his worn body. As for his soul, it was still the same – young, alive and restless. Marley was suffering for 1,5 years, trying on his last legs to be that, young Marley, but his time was out. He died in John’s hands in the hospital. Time was going on, but the Grogans never forgot their dog.
Long after that Jenny saw, as she said, the “reincarnation” of Marley – eyes full thirst for life, and inscription – “Full of zip! I would do well in a home that is quiet while I am learning how to control my energy level. I have not had an easy life so my new family will need to be patient with me and continue to teach me my doggie manners.” It was destiny, as John and Jenny considered immediately.
