It is important to accept those who might be different from what is considered “normal.” In “Marley, a Dog Like No Other” by John Grogan, Marley never behaves and is always running like a wild animal. In the story, Marley lives with his owners: John and Jenny Grogan in Florida until they move to Pennsylvania. Even though he is really difficult to train, the family all love Marley, because they have grown close to him. And eventually when Marley dies, his owners are sad and cry. It is clear they are going to miss him.
John and Jenny Grogan go to a farm to buy a new puppy – named Marley. He bangs the bars of his cage and really likes John and Jenny. It is only natural that they take him home, because he stands out. When Marley comes home, they both adore him. Marley eats a lot and “[grows] at a furious pace” (18). He is very wacky too. He consumes household objects and is hard to train. Marley never behaves, but one time he does something very bad. John realizes what had happened: “The couch cushion was gouged open, the fabric shredded and the stuffing pulled out. … Jenny said, ‘I mean it. I want him gone. I want him out of here for good’” (28). After the couch is ripped open, Jenny decides it is too much to have Marley as a pet, because he is behaving poorly.
Marley is enrolled in obedience classes, and he “really needed them” (57-59). Marley is certainly a challenging student. During the class, even the instructor cannot make Marley heel beside her! So, the instructor decides to let Marley out of the class. Even after Marley fails obedience school, he still auditions for a movie. Though he is treated like royalty, he completely hijacks the scenes, wastes thousands of dollars, and nearly knocks over a $30,000 camera. As for the filming, “That’s how Day One of shooting went. Marley [is] a disaster – a complete and total disaster” (92).
Marley wrecks a lot of things, including the house. So the Grogans buy him a cage to stay in while they are away. When they come back, they are in for a surprise. Marley got out. When [he is in] the cage, “he proved over the following weeks that he is able to [get out] easily whenever he wanted” (79-80). Marley somehow works the lock with his strong tongue and licks his way to freedom. Marley has a tendency to wreck everything, even in public. Another time, the Grogan’s go out to the beach – a dog beach. Marley is clearly enjoying himself as he frolics with the other dogs. Cleary, he is having a good time. But then, he “vomits and poops in the water – and ruins the morning for everyone” (114). It is another time where he behaves poorly.
In 1999, the Grogan family–John, Jenny, and their two kids– pack up [their] home and leave Florida [for Pennsylvania]” (116). They move because John has a new job there. Pennsylvania is much different than Florida. The differences are going to a new school, working at new jobs, and the climate, because it does not snow in Florida. Marley and the kids especially love the snow. In the final chapters of the book, Marley is 13 and nearing the end of his life. And then, he finally dies. Before Marley dies, John Grogan says, “‘Marley, you are a great dog’” (182). All of the Grogans will miss Marley, their beloved dog. And even though he is wacky, they still loved him as their dog. They had a lot of fun times with Marley, who became part of the family. Even after all the misdeeds he did, he is still their dog.
Today just happens to be National Walk A Dog Day – One of our favorites on this blog! Go and walk your dog today!
