Marley and Me by John Grogan

Since I turned 40, my eyesight has turned horrible. I can't see well enough to read because my arms aren't long enough or stong enough to hold the book at full stretch for an extended period of time. There are about a million books I want to read, so I have become addicted to audiobooks. There are usually about 7 cases in my car at any given time. Thank heavens our local library is well stocked and allows folks to request books on-line.

Last week, it was finally my turn to listen to Marley and Me. I had put off reading this book because I knew how it ended. For this same reason, I didn't see the movie. I am NOT a pretty crier! I figured I could listen to the first 8 out of 9 discs while out and about without threat of crying while driving. Not so! Early on in the book, I was in tears when Jenny had a miscarriage. I was headed to a yard sale while listening and had to get my face straight before getting out of the truck.

I laughed at so many parts of the book because my Riley Dog had done the same crazy thing that Marley had done. Thank God Riley never hung out of the car window while driving down the highway like Marley did! My Riley did eat fire starters not once, but twice. After running through the yard pooping out the first one (he didn't need a match to feel the burn), I was amazed that he was crazy enough to eat another one. Both dogs are afraid of thunder storms. Both have torn up the garage. Both drag themselves along the couch to get a rubdown.

My Riley is almost 10 years old and is starting to slow down. Just the thought of not having him in my life makes me teary. Recently, I wrote about a trip to the vet when another family was bringing their old basset hound in to be put to sleep...http://chickensinthebasement.blogspot.com/2009/02/puppy-love.html It was heartbreaking and I didn't even know them.

When I got to the last CD, I knew it was coming. I took the CD into the bathroom so I could listen and get dressed. I should have known better! I cried ugly, hard, loud tears! There is no way I could have read this in traditional book form. I wouldn't be able to read through the blurr of my tears! The tears and "stuff" that ran down my face would have landed on the book and made the ink run, the pages stick together and way too gross to loan friends and family! Every time I thought I was done crying, I made an effort to put on make up only to cry it off again. The third time was a charm. There was no hope for my red rimmed eyes, though.

It was a wonderful book! All dog lovers should read Marley and Me. Take my advice...Don't read the last few chapters while laying out on the beach, waiting in carpool, or in any public place. Keep a box of Kleenex in your lap!

Riley Dog, you are a GREAT DOG!