My book report is on a book called Marley A Dog Like No Other.  This is a true story and the writer experienced this marvelous tale of a rambunctious little pup.  The authors name is John Grogan. 

The book is about how a family grows up with a dog and how loopy they can be.  This book has a special place in my heart.  For a long time I have had a desire to add a dog, or puppy, to my family.  This book details what it takes to raise a dog in a family.  There are many interesting facts, sub stories, twists, and plots that bring about many funny and miserable experiences. 

I like how this is a true story because it gives a personal touch to the book.  The non-fiction book starts off with the author, John Grogan, as a child going to a mutt ranch and adopting a well behaved dog. As an adult with his wife the author adopts a new young puppy.  In the book, the story revolves around the three main characters which are John’s wife, Jenny, John Grogan and Marley their newly adopted dog .  This book talks about what dogs can do in their mischievous lives.  The book describes the scenarios and situations – – – in great detail.  Even though the book is picture less and has several chapters, the detailed descriptions make it easy to visualize the story as played by the main characters.

The story line of this book is about the lifecycle of a dog living in a normal family.  At the beginning of the book when Marley comes home he sniffs every square inch of the house.  Night falls and Marley’s box to sleep is in the garage.  Marley cried and whimpered until John picks up the box and takes it into his bedroom.  The best thing about the house when Marley was a puppy was toilet paper!  Five minutes in the bathroom, and out he came with toilet paper in his mouth.  He would run across the hardwood floor and make it look like the house was decorated for Halloween.  Marley had joined obedience classes.  The instructor thought that there were no bad dogs, just weak owners.  Marley gets kicked out of the class because of his bad behavior.  John thinks that his family was not going to quit anything at any cost and that meant Marley. 

So John trained Marley at home.  When John left for work the next day, a storm was coming.  When he and Jenny came back home they were surprised and alarmed and shocked to see a destroyed garage.  Marley’s paws were covered with dried blood but he seemed happy! 

In the middle of the book, Marley gets a part in a film called The Last Home Run.  On day one of practice since Marley is very crazy and impolite according to dog language, he gets fired.  The next day he is back on the job!  A couple years later, John’s family finds a video of The Last Home Run and watches it.   At the end of the movie, they find “Marley the Dog . . . as himself”.  Towards the end of the book as Marley ages, he gets arthritis in his hips and his stomach twists which puts his life at risk.   

The author wrote this book to honor his first dog, Shaun, when he was a child.  I think the author suggests that by adopting a pet from an animal shelter can bring a lot of joy into the lives of the dog and to the family.  I believe that after reading this book I can find the pros and cons of owning a dog. I have realized that when you own a pet such as Marley, along with the fun comes responsibilities.  It teaches you discipline, develop a bond, loyalty, and friendship.  I urge my fellow classmates to read this book as it provides the do’s and do not’s in a fun way. Even those who already own a pet, this book shares engrossing experiences that they can relate to and enjoy.