PENGUIN READERS Ea a: My ORCMarley & Me JOHN GROGAN Retold by Anne Collins Series Editors: Andy Hopkins and Jocelyn PotterEdinburgh Gate, Harlow, ses CMB 3 Engh and Avited Company hrvghont the word ‘Thine pushed by Pearson Eduction Ld 2012 ton Ch onguinYooks a+ Penguin Kado Howe oman. The publiher wou ike to thank he allowing for ther ind perminon Joho Grogan: 510 16.24.28 Contents Introduction Chapter |The New Puppy Chapter 2. Life with Marley Chapter 3 The Obedience Class Chapter 4 Changes at Home Chapter5 Difficult Days Chapter 6 Marley Makes a Movie Chapter 7 The World’s Worst Dog Chapter 8 We Move North Chapter 9 Marley Gets Older Chapter 10 A Great Dog ActivitiesIntroduction A dog isn’t interested in fast cars or big houses or expensive clothes. Give a dog your love, and he will give you his. Marley and Me is about a dog, but it is also about a family and their love for their dog, Marley. John Grogan and his wie, Jenny, are young and in love. They have good jobs on newspapers. Then, one day, they go out and buy a puppy. From that day, their lives are never the same again. Marley is not an easy dog. He isn't obedient and he doesn't listen. He pushes things off tables with his strong, heavy tail, and he eats everything—flowers, pens, and bottle tops. He goes crazy in thunderstorms, and he breaks things in the home. ‘But life with Marley is never boring, Many funny things happen ‘when he is there, And, most important, he brings John and Jenny a lot of love. He helps them understand the important things in life, ‘The story follows Marley's life from a puppy to an old dog In that time, we see many changes, not only in Marley but in the family, too. At the start, John and Jenny are living in a busy city in Florida, Thirteen years later, they have three children and are living a quieter life in Pennsylvania. John Grogan worked on newspapers for more than twenty five'years, When he wrote funny stories about Marley, readers wrote to him about their love for their dogs—and their problems, too. Later, John made his stories into a book, ‘Marley & Me. Then, in 2009, a film company made a movie of the book, with Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. Now people around the world are enjoying the story of “the world’s worst dog,” You can find out more about John Grogan—and his dogs—on wwav.johngroganbooks.com. Chapter 1 The New Puppy My name is John Grogan and I love dogs. When I was ten years old, my father gave me my first dog. I called him Shaun. Shaun was my best friend, He went everywhere with me and he was very obedient. When I called him, he came to me. He played with me and he walked next to me without a leash. In the car, he sat next to me quietly ‘After many years, Shaan died. He was fourteen years old By that time, I wasn’t a boy; I was a man. I had my first job. Shaun was a great dog, I wanted to get another dog, but it had to be as wondetful as Shaun + Some years late I moved to Florida and married Jenny. Jenny and I had jobs with newspapers. We were very happy. We were young and in love, and life was wonderful One day, I bought a plant for Jenny. It was very lange, with beautiful white flowers, Jenny loved it—maybe too much, Every day, she gave it water. In tae end, the plant got sick and died. Some days later, I woke up early. Jenny wasn't in bed. 1 found her at the table with a newspaper. She had a red pen in her hand. jenny,” I said, “what are you doing?” She showed me the newspaper. It was open at a page of ads “Look at this, John,” she said. I saw an ad with a bigs line under it Beautiful Labrador® puppies. Five weeks old. “I can't forget about that plant,” Jenny said. “Why couldn't + Labrador: a kind of large dog. Labradors are usually black, yellow oF dark brown, and are goad pets. fieT look after a plant? I only had to give it water, but I killed it” She looked sad, but then she smiled. “I can’t look after a plane, but maybe I can look after a dog, And later, maybe I'll be ready for a baby.” [ thought about that. Jenny and | wanted to have children one day, but we loved dogs, too, Our little house was a good place for a dog. We lived near a park and near a beach, And the house had a big yard with lots of trees. “OK," I said, I put my arms around Jenny, “Lets get a dog.” So some days later, we drove to the address in the ad The house was in the middle of some woods. A woman came to the door and there was a beautiful yellow Labrador with her, n Loti” said the woman. “And this is Lily. She's the puppies’ mother.” “Where's the father?” L asked. “Oh,” said Lori, “Sammy Boy? He's—er—around here somewhere.” Then she said quickly, “Do you want to see the puppies?” Loti took us into a room behind the kitchen. There were a Jot of newspapers on the floor, and a large box by the wall. In the box were nine yellow puppies, “Oh!” cried Jenny. “Aren't they beautiful?” ‘We sat on the floor with the puppies. One little puppy really liked us. He climbed up our shirts and looked into our eyes. “The puppies are $375 each,” said Lori. “But you can have that puppy for $350." 1 stood up and turned away from the puppies. Then I turned back quickly and shouted loudly. The other puppies ran away. Bur the little puppy ran to me and climbed over my shoes. “That's our puppy,” Jenny laughed, [held him in front of my face. 1 looked at him and he looked at He had very large brown eyes. I gave him to 2 Jenny, and she held him, too. think he likes us,” I said We paid Lori for him. Come back for him in three weeks,” she said. “He'll be ‘eight weeks old, so you can take him then.” We thanked Lori and sid goodbye. On our way to the car, 1 put my arm around Jenny “Int it wonderful?” [ aid. “We got our dog “Yes,” she said. “I can't wait to bring him home.” Suddenly, we heard a loud noise in the woods. Something ran out of the trees—something large and. yellow. Ie was a big Labrador. But this dog was very different from Lily. This dog was wild and dirty. IC had a crazy look in its eyes. It ran quickly past us, and around the back of the house, “I think,” I said slowly, “that’s Dad.” + Jenny and I tried to think ofa name for our puppy, but each of us liked different names. One morning, we heard a song by Bob Marley, the Jamaican singer, on the radio. Bob Marley was dead, but people played his music everywhere in Florida. Jenny and 1 liked his music, too. Suddenly, at the same time, we shouted, “Marl “That's it!” I cried. “That's his name. Marley!” Jenny smi Some days later, Jenny’s sister called her from Boston with the children,” “We're visiting Disney World next wee she said, “Would you like to come with us Jenny wanted to go to Disney World very much, “But | won't be here when Marley comes home,” she said “That's OK," I said. “I'l go and get Marley.” A week later, Jenny left for Orlando, That evening after work, I drove to Lori’s house. Marley was a very large puppy now. 3“Hee “Are you ready for your new home, Marley?" I said. [ used 8 a lot,” said Lori his name for the first time and it fele right. Marley sat next to me in the car, He tried to climb on me, but each time, he fell back on the floor. In the end, he climbed up and sat on me, He wagged his tail happily When we got home, sniff, He we he sat back and looked at me with his large brown eyes. T could 5 «are my brothers and sisters? T took off his leash, Marley began to around the house and sniffed everything. Then \d Marley's thoughts: This place is great. But where I took Marley to the garage, next to the house. It was a warm, dry room. Aarle I put some newspapers down on the floor. I put some said. “This is your room now playthings down, too. Then I put some water ina bowl and made bed from a large box ‘You'e going to sleep here,” I said. I put Marley into the box. He looked sadly up at me. I went back into the house and closed the door. I stood and listened. I could hear nothing. Then I heard a cry—and then another ery. The cries got Jouder and louder. ‘When I opened the door again, Marley stopped crying. 1 in and closed the petted him for some time, Then I left door, Marley started to cry I was very tired, so I went to my bedroom. My bedroom wasn’t near the garage, but I could hear Marley's cries. 1 felt sorry for him. His f yy wasn’t there, After I got into bed, I listened to Marley's cries for half an hour. Then I got up and went back to the garage. Marley stopped crying and wagged his tail. | carried his box into my bedroom and put it on the floor next to my bed. Then I got into bed and put my hand down into the box: Some minutes later, Marley was asleep. I slept, too. 4 Marley iried 10 understand us. Chapter 2 Life with Marley For the next three days, I played with Marley. I lay on the floor and he climbed on me, He followed me everywhere, and he tried to chew on everything, ‘When Jenny came back from Disney World, she played with Marley, too. She held him and petted him. She got up in the night and took him outside. Most of all, she gave him food. Marley ate three large bowls of puppy food every day. He got bigger all the time, His kead and his paws were very large, and his tal was thick and heavy. When he wagged his tal, he pushed everything onto the floox—magazines and glasses, and photos. Marley loved to grab things and hold them in his mouth. Hegrabbed things from the floor and from the dining-room table. He grabbed shoes, pens, bottle tops, and many other things. “All right, what have you got this time?” [ asked. When T opened his mouth, | always found something new inside. Every morning, I took Marley for a walk on the beach. ‘Then I put him in the garage with a bow! of water and some playthings. After that, I went to work. I always said, “Be a ‘good boy, Marley!” Jenny came home at lunchtime and gave him food. In the evenings, we took Marley down to the beach again But our walks weren’t easy. Marley ran in front of us and pulled on his leash. We pulled him back, then he pulled us again. He went this way and that way, and he sniffed everything, We tried to teach Marley, “Come! Stay! Sit! Down! No!” But he didn’t listen to us. He wasn't obedient, He was like an excited child. But every day he got bigger and stronger, “I killed the plant, but I'm good with Marley.” Jeni happily. ‘One day, Jenny invited a friend to our house. Her friend brought her old dog, Buddy, with her. Buddy and Marley ran and played. Then they were tired, so they lay down in the yard. Some days later, Jenny was with Marley when she said, “Come and look at this, John!” Hooked, and I saw something small and black in Marley's fur. “Oh, no!” I said. “Marley has fleas.” “They were on his paws, inside his ears, id under his tail “Buddy had fleas and he gave them to Marley,” said Jenny angrily. She ran out and got into her car. Half an hour later, she came back with bags of chemicals. First, she washed Marley’s fur with the chemicals. Then she put him in the garage and cleaned the house carefully. I cleaned the yard. Every day after that, we looked in Marley’s fur, but we couldn't see any more fleas. 6 + Some weeks later, Jenny said, “John, I'm going to have a baby!” “That's wonderful,” I cid. I was very happy. We were ready fora baby now Then Jenny said, “But will those chemicals be a problem? “What chemicals?” I asked. “What do you mean?” “Don’t you remember? I used very strong chemicals when Marley had fleas. They can’t be good for a baby,” she said, She talked to her doctor about the chemicals “Ie all right, Jenny,” he said, “Everything will be OK.” Jenny got up early every day and took Marley for a walk. She ate lots of fruits and vegetables. After ten weeks, she and I saw the doctor again. “Would you like to see your baby?” he asked “Yes, pleas * we said. We felt very excited ‘The doctor took us imo a room at the back and Jenny lay down, He moved something over Jenny. On a1 to him, we could sce something like a small gray bag. But we chine next couldn't see a baby inside. “Is there anythi ig in there?” asked Jenny. After a time, the doctor said quietly, “I'm very sorry, Jenny Your baby’s dead.” I fele sick. I sat and held Jenny's hand, We didn’t say anything for a long time. When the doctor left, I put my arms| around my wife. Later, | took her home, She was very quiet in the car. Her eyes were re¢, but she didn't ery. Back home, Jenny went into the dining-room and sat down quietly on a chair. 1 got Marley from the garage. He was very excited. He jumped up and wagged his tail. He wanted to play. “Not today, Marley,” I said sadly. Marley ran into the yard. He came back into the house and drank water from his bowl. Then he ran into the dining- 7.room and I followed him, But at the door of the dining-room, I stopped, I saw a wonderfyl thing. Marley stood quietly in front of Jenny with his tail between his legs. He put his big head on her legs. He looked at her with his large eyes and made small cries. “Marley understands,” I thought. Jenny petted his head and put her face in his fur. Then, suddenly, she began to cry. I went to them and put my arms around them. The three of us stayed there for a long time— Jenny, Marley, and me. Chapter 3. The Obedience Class When Marley was six months old, Dr. Jay, the animal doctor, told us about an obedience class. ‘We loved Marley very much, but he wasn’t an obedient dog Every day he got bigger and stronger, and he didn't listen to us. He jumped up on us. He grabbed things in the house and chewed. them. When I bought flowers for Jenny, Marley ate them, ‘We met the teacher of the obedience class. She had a cold face and she didn't smile “There are no bad dogs,” she said, “but there are some very weak people.” The class was every Tuesday evening. We put Marley into the car and drove to the first class. When Marley saw the other dogs, he got very excited. A party! He jumped out of the car Tran after him, but I couldn't catch him. Marley sniffed every dog before I caught his leash “Take that dog back to his place in the line,” said the teacher. “Who is going to be his boss—you or your wi “Lam,” I said “Me, too,” said Jenny. ve one boss.” 'No,” said the teacher, “A dog can only hi ‘OK," said Jenny. “I'l do it.” ‘The other dogs sat quietly in a Tine. Jenny took Marley to his place. I stood and watched. Suddenly, Marley saw another dog at the end of the line. ‘That dog looked interesting! He started to pull Jenny. She tried to stop him, but she couldn't. Marley was stronger than Jenny, so he pulled her to the other dog. Then he sniffed around it. “That dog thinks he's the boss,” said the teacher coldly. She started to teach the class “Sit!” and “Down!” “Sit!” Jenny told Marley. But Marley didn’t want to sit. He jumped up and put his paws on Jenny. After the class, the teacher said, “You have to be strong with that animal. You're the boss. Show him that.” When we got home, the class next week.” ‘The next Tuesday, Merley and 1 went back to the class. Jenny stayed at home. In the car, I said to Marley, “I’m the boss! You're not the boss—I’n the boss! Do you understand?” But Marley only looked at me and wagged his tail. Then he tried to chew my hands. jenny said, “You can take Marley to In this lesson, the dogs kad to walk quietly next to us, It wasa very important lesson for Marley. When he went for a walk with Jenny and me, he always pulled us. The teacher gave us chains. “Put the chain over ycur dog's head,” she said. “When he pulls you, pull him back with it. It will hurt him, so he'll stop pulling.” I tried to put the chain over Marley's head but Marley, of course, got very excited. A new game! He grabbed the chain with his teeth. I tried again, but each time, Marley grabbed it, In the end, I got the chain over Marley's head and started to walk with him, When Marley pulled in front of me, I pulled hhim back with the chain. But then he pulled away again, 9°Marl w om his leash teacher. “I'll show you Here,” said ¢ She took Marley's leash and started to walk with him, ck. Bur Marley pulled che chain, and th then Marley pulled the her pulled hi hain again. This new 10 Then Marley saw me. He started to run to me and he pulled the teacher after him. Marley was big, cr than the teacher, so she couldn't stop him. She was very an After class, the ceacher said, “Your di dy for this class. He’s too young, You can bring him back in six ot eight months, Are you telling us that we have to leave the class?" I said. That's right,” she said. “You have to leave + Because Marley couldn't go back to the class, I started to teach him at home, But it was difficult. Marley wasn't a fast learner We had another:problem with Marley. In Florida, the were often thunderstorms. Marley was afraid of loud noises He went crazy in a storm. He broke things and madi verything dirty After each storm, Marley quickly f happy again and wanted to play. But in the next storm, the me thing happened, He was afraid, so he went crazy again. We talked to Dr. Jay aout the problem. Dr. Jay was young and he understood dogs very well, we asked. “When Matley breaks things. One day, he'll get hurt in a storm What can we do’ 4s crazy, he Marley is seven months old.” said Dr. Jay. “PI neuter him. Then he won't get so excited, He'll be a quieter appier di I thought about that, “Oh,” I said, “I don't really know Yes!” said Jenny. “Thar's a great ide Bring Marley here on your way to work,” said Dr. Jay. “I doesn't take long. He'll be ready by the afternoon. You ca 1 again on your way home. A week later, we took Marley to Dr. Jay. Marley ran from the house and jumped into the car. He was very happy. Heloved to go out with Jenny and me—his two best friends, Jenny drove and I'sat next to her with Marley. He pushed at the window with his nose. He wanted to sniff outside the car. T opened the window and Marley put his nose outside, “feel sorry for Marley,” I said to Jenny. Then I looked at him. His front paws were out of the window “John,” said Jenny, “what's Marley doing? Please be “He's fine," I said, “He only wants to put his head outside.” Marley put his head out of the window. Then suddenly, he pushed his front legs out, too. He tried to jump down on the road. But the road was very busy with cars “John!” shouted Jenny. “Hold him!” Jenny tried to stop the car, but she couldn't. The other cars drove around us very fast. It was very dangerous, Now Marley's front paws were down on the road. He ran next 60 the car. | grabbed him by his tail and Jenny stopped the car. “Now what?” I shouted I couildn’t pull Marley back into the car. I couldn't open the door. I couldn't get my other arm out. And there were cars all around us, The other drivers looked at us angrily. Jenny opened her door and got out of the car, She ran around it and grabbed Marley. | opened my door and got out, too. In the end, we got Marley back into the car. ‘When we got to Dr. Jay's, I took Marley inside, He sniffed everywhere, then he pushed over a table with magazines on it I gave Marley's leash to Dr. Jay. “Please neuter him as quickly as possible,” I said. “Please.” ‘That evening, when I took Marley home, I saw a change in him. He wasn't excited and crazy. He moved quietly and slowly. “Good,” I thought. 12 Chapter 4 Changes at Home Jenny and I worked hard at our jobs. We also worked hard at home. So one evening I said, “Let's go on vacation, Jenny.” The next day, I bought two airplane tickets. They were for 1 three-week vacation in Ireland “What are we going to do about Mark “We can leave him stay here with him.” y?" asked Jenny. the house,” I said. “Somebody can “Marley isa difficult dog,” said Jenny, “That person will have to be kind but also strong, He or she will have to be his boss “L know,” I said. Then | had an idea, “Kathy loves animals.” Kathy worked in my office. The next day, | asked her and she said yes. Before she arrived, | wrote some notes for her about Marley. There were six pages of notes. I showed them to Jenny ‘Did I forget anything?” L asked. Jen that. She won't want to stay with Marley But when Kathy read the notes, she smiled. “Marley and 1 will be fine,” she said ¥y read the notes, then she said, “You can’t tell Kathy all ‘Have a great vacation.” + Jenny and I had a wonderfull vacation in Ireland. The weather was fine and warm, We drove on all country roads and walked by the ocean. At night, we stayed in the houses of Irish families. We forgot about our jobs in Florida. When we arrived home, Marley ran outside to us. Kathy stood acthe door. She looked very tired. Her bag was next to her. “Lm sorry,” she said, “but Marley broke a lot of things in the house. He wasn't obedient and he didn't listen to me.” We thanked Kathy, bur she wanted to leave very quickly. T turned to Marley you'e going to learn about obedience. All right, Marley,” I said. “Tomorrow 13.and [ went back to work. But first, I put the chain around Marley's neck and took him for a ‘The next morning, Jenn walk. Marley started to pull me. Sit, Marley!” I said. Marle ‘OK, let's try chat again,” I said. We started co walk and Marley pulled me again. I made the chain very short and pulled him back. It hure him, but it was the only way. In the to me and didn’t pull me. [felt very happy. “Good, Marley,” I said. “F'n the boss.” Some days later, Jenny called me at the office “John,” she said. “I went to see the doctor. I'm going to 1d, he learned his lesson, He walked next have a baby.” + This time, Jenny and I were very careful and we put away every chemical in the house. Jenny looked well. She got and rook Marley for a walk by the ocean, When we went to the doctor, we saw our baby on up early each mornin, the machine. But I didn't forget about Marley. | worked with him e day, Marley was more obedient now, but he didn’t listen to me all the time. He came when [ called him—sometimes. In our yard we had a fruit tree. Marley loved eating fruit, quickly. His poop was everywhere in ard, He ate a lot of other things, too. These went through ‘but it went through hi the him and came out in his poop—toys, pens, and bottle tops. T bought Jenny a beautiful chai it and she put it around her neck. But some hours later she cried, “My chain! Where is it? Maybe I didn't put it on right.” “We didn't go outside,” I said. “So it’s here in the house.” We looked in every room, but we couldn't find the chain. Suddenly Jenny said, “What's that in Marley's mouth? ‘or her birthday, She loved 4 1 saw the end of a thin chain, “Oh, no!” I cried. “OK, Mary, it's all right, Come here now. Please give us the chain But Marley only looked at us, Suddenly, he threw his head back. ‘He's eating the chain ied Jenny I opened his mouth and pushed my hand down. But 1 couldn't find the chain. “We'll have to wait,” I said. “The chain will go through Marley and come out in his poop.” I gave Marley lots of fruit. We waited for three days. [ followed Marley everywhere. When he pooped, I looked for the chain. But it wasn’t there. (On the fourth day, I found it. After 1 washed it, it was very clean, It had a beautiful shine. hhat’s wonderful,” Jenny said, “It shines better than before.” Jenny wore that chain for years, When I saw it, I always thought of Marley, + Our son was born in St. Mary’s Hospital in Palm Beach. We called him Patrick, an Irish name “Th Jenny I brought Jenny and Patrick home fron \gs are going to chai ‘Maybe he won't like the changes. .¢ at home for Marley now,” said the hospital. Patrick was asleep and we put hin on our bed. Then we went to the garage and brought Marley into the house, He followed Jenny into the bedroom, but he didn’t see Patrick on the bed Then Patrick made Where did that noise come from? small noise and Marley’s ears went up. Patrick made another noise. Marley held up a paw, and. Jenny and I watched him. ‘What's Marley going 10 do?” I chought. Marley jumped up onto the bed. | pulled him back quicklyand held him, Patrick’s eyes were very wide, But Marley didn't want to hurt Patrick. He sniffed all around him. Now Marley had a new best friend. When he was near Patrick, he wasn’t wild and crazy. At night, he slept under Patrick’s bed. Six months later, Patrick started to move around, Marley lay on the floor and Patrick climbed over him. Sometimes Patrick pulled Marley's far, But Marley lay quietly and didn't move. We were parents now and we were happy. We had our wonderfull baby. We had our dog. We had our house by the ocean, Life was good. Marley wasn’t an obedient dog, but he was always happy Then, when Patrick was nine months old, Jenny said, “I'm going to have another baby.” 16 Chapter 5 Difficult Days Sometimes, bad things happened in our street. One night, in October, Jenny and I were in bed. Marley lay on the floor next to me. Suddenly, I heard a cry—the cry of a girl. Ie came from the street outside I fele afraid, but I jumped out of bed. “Come with me, Marley.” I said, Please, John, don't go out there,” said Jenny ‘Call the police,” I said. “Pll be careful Theld Marley by the ead of his chain. The girl cried again We went outside, and a man ran away down the street. Two young men ran to me. c going after the man.” 3o and stay with the they shouted. “Help her, We're Tran to the girl. She was my neighbor's daughter, Lisa. She was seventeen years old, Her shirt was red and wet. “What happened?” I asked. Twas in my car.” she said. “A man got in and put his hand over my mouth, He said, ‘Don't make a noise!’ Bur I did, and he cut me with his knife. held Lisa in my arms. “Ie going to be all right,” I said Buc I didn’t really think that. Lisa's face was gray, and she was very weak. looked at Marley, He stood and looked down the street. He looked strong and ready for a fight. Nobody could get past him, Some minutes later the police arrived, with doctors, and they took Lisa away. A policeman asked me questions, Then | went home with Marley Jenny met us at the door Marley was a different dog tonight,” I said. “Nothing can hurt us when he’s with us.” [looked at Marley. “You did well tonight, "I saidLisa didn’t die. She got well again, But I never forgot that night. + One night, when Jenny and I were in bed, she said, “John, 1 think the baby is com “Something's wrong,” I thought. “It’s too early for the baby.” 1 took Jenny to the hospital “Your baby is too small,” the doctor said to her, “We have to stop him coming out. You'll have to stay in the hospital.” Jenny was in the hospital for twelve days. I stayed at home with Patrick and Marley. I did the housework. I cooked and washed clothes. In the evenings, | was very tired Marley sat and looked at me sadly. I could read his thoughts 1 don't understand. Why doesn’t John want to play with me? Why doesn’t he take me for walks? And where's Jenny? I didn’t do things at home very well. I left the bathroom ng, Please call the doctor.” door open all the time. Marley loved to go into the bathroom, and to drink water from the shower, ‘One day, I took Pat ck on a visit to the hospital “What did you do to Patrick?” Jenny asked. Tasked. “He's fine.” “Look at him,” said Jenny. Hooked. His arms were in the legs of his baby clothes! Jenny called my aunt Anita, She also lived in Florida, but in different town, “Please can you look after John and Patrick,” she said. Two days later, Aunt Anita arrived. She did the housework and everything at home was fine again + “Whar do you mean?” When Jenny came home, she had to stay in bed all day. This was a very difficult time for her. She couldn't cook or go for 18 a walk, Worst of all, she couldn't hold Patrick. Marley brought his playth ngs into the bedroom and lay on the floor next to Jenny. He stayed there day and night. Aunt Anita had to go home to her husband. So I had to look after the hou ‘Then, one day, when the doctor visited Jenny, he said, “You can get up now. The baby is bigger.” Jenny was very happy. She gor up and played with Patrick and Marley. She started co do the housework The next day, we went to a Greek restaurant for lunch. But suddenly, the baby started to come, so I took Jenny to the hospital. Then everything happened very quickly. One hour later, I held my beatitifal new son in my arms. + again Jenny and I had two sons now, Patrick and Conor. One was seventeen months old, ané one was a baby. We were very happy with our sons, but we were tired all the time. The babies woke us every night. We couldn’ sleep for more than two hours. Conor had problems with Jenny’s milk, Afier he drank, he was sick, So Jenny was very sad “What's wrong with me?” she said. "Conor doesnt like my milk, Maybe She started to get angry quickly. She didn’t get angry with Patrick and Conor, but she was often angry with 'm not a good mom.” Marley and me. Marley could do nothing right. | bought a plant and planted The next day, Marley pulled it out and ate it Then he broke a door in the house. He we was a thunderstorm. (One day when I got home from work, I found Marley with it in the yard. crazy when there Jenny. Jenny was very, very angry. “Why do you brea Ik everything?” she shouted, “You're a 19°very bad dog.” Marley stood with his head down, and she hit hhim again and again. went and grabhed Jenny's arms. “Hey! Hey! Hey!” I shouted. “Stop. Stop!” looked into Jenniy’s face, but the look in her eyes was new to:me, Her face was the face of a stranger. “Get him out of here,” she said, “Get him out of here now.” I opened the front door and Marley ran outside. When 1 turned back for his leash, Jenny said, “You have to find Marley anew home.” She couldn’ mean it, She loved this dog. I walked out of the door, Marley ran and jumped around, He wasn't hurt, I took Marley into the street and said, “Sit!” He sat. | put his chain over his head with the leash. Then I took him for a very long walk. When we got home, Marley was very tired. T took off Marley's leash and he ran to his bowl, The water went everywhere on the floor. I cleaned it Jenny sat in a chair with Patrick and Conor. When I walked past her, she said quietly, “I want that dog to leave.” . I felt very sad. Marley was my friend and I loved him, I didn’t want to find a new home for him. But 1 also had a wife and ‘wo small children. I had to think about them. talked to my friends and neighbors about Marley, “Do you want a Labrador?” I asked. But nobody did. I looked in the newspapers. They were full of ads from people with dogs, and a lot of the ads were for Labradors “These people paid a lot of money for their dogs,” I thought “But now they're looking for new homes for them. Maybe Labradors are too difficult—too big and strong Marley wasn't an easy dog, He wasn't obedient and he broke things. But we brought him to our home when he was 20 ‘a puppy: He loved us and we loved him, He was our dog. I took Marley b: teacher was there now. This time, things went Better. I said ‘Sit!” and Marley sat. I put the chain around his neck and he walked quietly next co me, I said “Stay!” and he stayed. 1 walked away from him, but he didn't move. Then f turned and. ck to the obedience class. A different said, “Come!” Marley ran quickly to me. “Good boy, Mark Ac the end of the eight weeks, the teacher .” Laid, “Good, good, good boy!" ave me a paper, Itsaid, “Marley did well in the obedience class.” [was very happy. On the way home, I sang, After this, a wonderful :hing happened. Jenny got better, She stopped being sad, And wis strong and happy. She was a good mother to Patrick and Conor, and she was kind to Marley agai She danced around the room with him. Sometimes at night, when as quict, she lay on the floor with him, her head on his neck, here with us agai " Tthought. "That's great!” Chapter 6 Marley Makes a Movie Jenny's friend Colleen worked for a film company. One day, Colleen called Jenny, “My company is making a film about a family in Florida," she said. “They want pictures of a family home. Can I come and take some pictures of your house?” Colleen came and took photos of our home and the children—and of Marley. too. She showed them to her boss, Bob Gose. Some day’ later, enny called me at work “Bob Gosse is making a movie about a family with a do she said excitedly. “So he’s looking for a dog—a big, family Marley.” dog. He saw Colleen’s photos and he’s interested“Really?” I said. “You mean ... Marley? Our Marley?” ‘The next day, Colleen came to our house and took Marley to her boss. Two hours later, she brought him back again, “Marley was great,” she said. “Everybody loved him.” Some days later, the company started filming “Bring Marley to the Gulfstream Hotel at nine o’cloc Bob Gosse told us, We put the children and Marley into the car and drove to the hotel. A lot of people stood outside. The police were there, (00. One of the policemen looked inside the car. He saw Je two small children, and a large dog. “You can't come this way,” he said. “You have to turn back.” “But we're with the film company,” I said. “Our dog is in the movie.” “Really?” the police officer said. Then he looked at a paper in his hand. “You have the dog?” Marley's name was on the paper “Thave the dog,” I said. “Marley the Dog.” “Oh,” said the policeman. He turned to another policeman and shouted, “He has the dog, Marley the Dog!” Thet turned t0 us again, “You can come in,” he said. | felt very important. Marley was famous! ‘The cameramen started to film Marley. But Marley wasn't obedient. He ran and jumped. He chewed through his leash. “Cut! Cut! Cut!” shouted Bob Gosse. At the end of the day, we took Marley home. “Marley,” I said sadly, “you're not going to be famous.” But the next day, the film company called again. “ Marley back here,” they said ‘When we got back to the hotel, Bob Gosse said, Marley was great.” he ase bi ‘On film, Marley had a very good time with the people in the film company. E rybody played with him and petted hi ‘After four days, the cameramen stopped filming, 22 “Call us after eight months,” said Bob Gosse. “The movie will be ready then.” : After eight months, we called the company." The name of the movie was The Lat Home Run, but we couldn't learn anything about it. I called the company Two years later, I was in and again, there were a lot of movies on the shelves. Suddenly, I saw The Last Home Run. Marley's movie! I bought it and took it home. “Come and watch this!” I shouted to Jenny and the children a store an We saw Marley in the movie. He was only there for two ‘minutes, but it was very exciting. We all laughed and cried. “We're famous!” shouted Patrick Marley's name came at the end of the film, In big letters, it said, “Marley the Dog.” . Some time later, we said goodbye to our home in West Palm. nd our house was too small for two children and a large dog. So we Beach. The place got more and more dangerous, moved to a bigger house in another city, Boca Raton. A lot of rich people lived in Boca Raton. They had expensive cars, big houses, and beautiful clothes. ‘There were many good things about our new house. Near the house was a small park, But, best of all, it had a pool. We all loved the pool, but Marley loved it most. He jumped in with me and climbed on me. But there was a problem with the garage in our new house. Ie had no windows and it got very hot in summer, So we couldn't put Marley in it when there was a thunderstorm 1 took Pateick and Conor to the pet store and we bought a strong cage for Marley. We put it next to the washing machine Tcalled, Marley went inside and I closed the door of the cage after hi I put some food in the cage. “Come here, Marle 23+Marley loved t0 swim in the pool He lay down on the floor and chewed his food happily. his is going to be your new home when we're away. Isai That evening, we went out for dinner. Before we left, 1 opened the door of the cage. Marley walked inside and I closed the door “Be a good boy, Marle We had dinner in a restaurant, then we went for a walk. “This is great,” said Jenny. “We can forget about Marley. We know he’s f We went home and walked to the front doot. I looked at the window next to it. Something was there, in the window— something black, and wet. It was Marley's nose I said. “How could ... Marley said, we in the cage.” She smiled happily. 24 When I opened the front door, Marley ran to us happily Everything in the house was fine, Then we looked at the cage. The door was open, “But how did Marley get out?” asked Jenny. ‘He opened the door from inside said, “He's smart, and he's very strong.” Day after day, when we left the house, we put Marley into the «a fe. When we came home, sometimes he was there. Sometimes he was at the window. We tried to make the cage stronger, but Marley was stronger than the cage. When he wanted to get out, he pushed the door open, Chapter 7 The World’s Worst Dog Many people in Boca Raton had dogs, b very different from Marley. Most of these dogs were very their dogs were very small. Rich women carried them in their handbags, and took them into expensive stores, and in thei fast cars. Marley wanted very much to be feiends with these small dogs, but the dogs didn’t want to be friends with Marley. The weather in Boca Raton was very good, so lots of restaurants had tables and chairs outside. Customers brought their dogs with them to the restaurants. People ate their food or drank coffee, and their dogs lay quietly on the ground. One Sunday afternoon, we went out for lunch. We parked our car and walked up ane down the street, Many other people were out with their dogs, too, Marley walked next to me on his leash We found a restaurant and sat down outside. 1 put Marley's leash around one of the ‘egs of the strong, heavy table. The waiter came and we asked for some drinks, Then Jenny held up her glass happily“To a beautiful day with my beautiful family!” she said, Suddenly, our table started to move. It moved quickly between the other, tables “What's happes dog across the street. “We have to stop him! We jumped up and ran after Marley “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” we shouted to the other customers, Tran and grabbed the table, Jenny grabbed it, too. We held it and it stopped moving, | turned around and saw the faces of the other customers. Everybody looked at us with their mouths open, We carried the table back to its place, and a waiter came, “T'ML get some more drinks for you “No,” said Jenny, “We'll pay for our drinks and leave.” + ind the other customers. 1@2” I thought. Then I saw a small white Marley's going to that dog,” 1 shouted and the table. he said. Jenny and I had another baby. This time it was a girl and we named her Colleen When Colleen was two months old, I had my fortieth birthday. 1 wanted to do something exciting on my birthday, but it was a very quiet day. When I arrived home from work, Jenny was tired. By ei and Jenny was, too. [feta litle sad. I took a drink outside. I sat a ‘ocean. Marley lay on the ground next to me. | thought about my life, then I thought about Marley. He wasn't a puppy now; he was six years old. But he loved life and he was very happy. “Marley,” [ said, “it’s only you and me tonight.” I held up my glass, “We're not young, but we're having a ‘Some days later, my friend. Let's go out for a drink on Saturday,” he said. Hne-thirty, all three children were asleep id looked at the good time.” m called me. Jim came for me at six o'clock and we went out to a bar. We talked and laughed. Then the barman called out, “Is John 26 ogan here? There's a phone call for John Grogan.” Ie was Jenny. “The baby’s erying.” she sai and help 1 “Til take you home.” Jim said. When we turned into my str ‘an you come I saw a lot of cars, “Somebody's having a party,” I said. Jim stopped the car outside my house and I invited him inside, Then, suddenly, the front door opened. Jenny stood there with Colleen in her arms. She had a big smile on her face. Hooked into the yard. There were lots of people around the pool—my friends and neighbors. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!” they shouted. + | wanted to take Marley to the beach. You couldn't take pets ‘onto most beaches in South Florida, but one small beach was different. Everybody called it Dog Beach. On Dog Beach, dogs could run freely. They didn’t have to be on a leash One morning in June, | took Marley to Dog Beach. There were lots of people with dogs, but the dogs were on leashes, “What happened? “The police c Tasked a man, me,” the man said. “We have to use a leash So I walked Marley on his leash. But I felt sorry for him, ‘After our walk, I gave Marley a bow! of water. Then a man arrived with a big black dog, It looked dangerous, “Don’t be afraid of him,” said the man, “This is Killer. But he's very friendly. He doesn’t fight other dogs.” 1 told the man about the police. hat’s stupid!” he shouted. “This is Dog Beach!” He took off Killer's leash, and Killer ran into che water Marley looked at Killer and then he looked at me, | could read his thoughts: Please! Please! Please! I'l be good! Hooked around the beach. I couldn't see any policemen. a7.I took off Marley’s leash and he ran into the ocean after Killer. Marley and Killer played happily in the water. Other people watched them, Then they took off their dogs’ leashes, too. The dogs ran into the water. But then Marley started to drink from the ocean. top that, Marley!” I ried. “You'll be sick! But Marley didn't listen to me and he didn’t stop drinking Then he started to turn around in the water. “Oh, no!” I thought. Iran into the water, Bue it was too late. Marley pooped ev “Hey!” somebody shouted angrily. “G “Marley, nol" I shouted. I could feel everybody’s eyes on} 1nd on Marley, "No, Marley, no! No! No! No!” Marley's poop was everywhere. The other people grabbed ywhere your dog! their dogs. Marley came out of the dirty water and looked at me happily. But we had to lea Marley drank a lor of water from the ocean. 28 That wasn't nice,” the man with Killer said. “Sorry,” I said, [ put Marley's leash om him, Other dogs didn't dritk water from the ocean, Marley wasn't a bad dog, but sometimes he did stupid things, Marley? home, “Sometimes you're the worst dog in the world.” “What's wrong with you, I said on the drive I never took Marley co the beach again, Chapter 8 We Move North When Colleen was two years old, I got a job with a magazine cast of the United States. We were ready for a change from Florida. in Pennsylvania, in the north: There were too many people and cars, The weather was always hot, with a lot of thunderstorms. We wanted to live in a quiet place in the country. We wanted to see summer, winter, spring, and fall Most of all, we wanted f0 see snow Our new home was very beautiful. There was a small river near our house and there were woods all around it. Marley was very happy. He loved playing in the woods, and running after small animals Three weeks after New Year, it snowed. The children were very excited because it was their first time. We put on warm jackets and ran outside. Marley followed us. Marley was very funy in the snow. He fell down all the time. Snow lay on his fur and his face. I could only see a black cs. could read his thoughts: 1 don’t understand. What's this? It fels so cold and we. But then Marley jumped up the yard and jumped through the snow. The children laughed happily, and Marley was happy, too. We had a nose and two brown ¢} in, He ran around 29++ Te was almost the end of our first winter in Pennsylvania, We were very happy in our new house But Marley was nine years old now. He moved more slowly and he slept for most of the day. Sometimes when 1 took him for a walk, he got very tired. His fur in many places was gray. not yellow. Life with Marley wasn’t easy. He cost us a lot of money. He ate a lot of food and he broke a lot of our things. We could never change him. We knew that. But he was one of our family. He loved us and we loved him, That spring “OK,” she said. “But we don’t have a place for big a said to Jenny, “Let's get some farm animals.” als, Let's get some chickens. Then we can have eggs every day.” Jenny talked to one of the moms at the children’s school Donna lived on a farm, She gave Jenny four baby chickens. The chickens lived in a box in the kitchen, They ate and pooped. Then they ate some more—and they got bigger. One morning, | woke up early when [heard a call from downstairs: Codk-a-doodle-do! T woke Jenny up and asked, “What's that noise “Oh,” she said. “I don’t know.” She turned over Every Sometimes they made loud noises very near Marley. Marley nd slept. the lot of noise. morning, chickens. made a jwas usually afraid of loud noises, but he didn’t move away from the chickens. “That's strange,” 1 thought. “Can't Marley hear the chickens?” ‘One afternoon when Marley was asleep in the kitchen, 1 walked up behind him. “Marley!” I said. But Marley didn’t move. “Marley!” I said again. Nothing. “MARLEY!” I shouted. Marley turned, He stood up and waged his tal. 30, “Oh, no,” | thought. “Marley can't hear.” But Marley could hear some things. When we put food in his bowl, he always heard the sound of his dinner. He ran in from the next room. Marley was always hungry. He ate four big bowls of dog, food every day, and he also ate our food. Labradors are big dogs, and Marley was a very large Labrador, But he never got fat, One day I came home from work early and I went into the kitchen. Marley was there, He didn’t see me and he didn’t hear me, There was a sandwich on the kitchen table. Marley stood up and put his paws on the table. Then he ate the sandwich “What are you doing, Marley?” I asked. “You are a bad dog.” But he didn't hear me. He ate the sandwich happily T put my hand on Marley’s fur and he jumped. When he saw me, he lay down on che floor. He looked up at me and I started to laugh. I couldnt be angry with Marley. He was old now and he couldn't hear. I couldn't change him. The chickens weren't afraid of Marley and he never tried to catch them, They walked around the yard and Marley went with them, Chapter 9 Marley Gets Older Jenny and [ had a good life. Our children were young. We felt young, too. But when we looked at Marley, we saw many changes, The years went past, By this ti nd he was qwelve years oll 1, he couldn't hear anythi 1g- His far was gray. His teeth were brown, Late one night, I took Marley outside for his walk before bed. Ie was winter and there was a cold rain. I went back into the house for my jacket. When I came out again, Marley wasn't there. I looked for him everywhere, but T couldn't aie| went back inside. Then I walked upstairs and woke up Jent “Lean {| Marley,” I said. “He's out there in the rain Jenny pulled on her jeans and shoes and we went outside again, L walked slowly through the woods and called for Marley Jenny went a different way. We were very wet and cold “Let's go home and get warm,” I said. “IMl get the car and come out agai We walked back to our house. Suddenly, we saw Marley. He stood outside the house, out of the rain, When he saw us, he was very happy. felt angry with him, but then I was happy, too. I brought him inside and dried him. Marley was very tired He went to sleep and woke up at noon the next day. + Marley couldn't see well now. His fur started to fall out, too. Jenny cleaned the house every day, but his hairs were everywhere. But Marley’s biggest problem was his hips. They hurt him a lor and he couldn't move quickly. He couldn't mb the stairs easily. But he tried to follow us everywhere. Marley had good days and bad days. One spring evening, 1 took him for a shore walk around the yard, The night was cold and there was a light wind, I ran and Marley ran with me. “Marley!” I said. “You're a puppy again!” We ran back to the house. There were two small stairs in front of the door. When Marley tried to climb the stairs, he fell down. He lay on the stairs and looked sadly up at me. Marley was too heavy for me. I couldn't carry him, so 1 had to push him up the stairs, Then he stood up and went into the house. ‘When J looked at Marley, 1 thought, “We only have one life and it can change very quickly.” [enjoyed my job on the magazine, but I really wanted to work for a newspaper again. Newspapers were more exciting, 32 and | liked writing about big stories. I also liked getting letters and calls from readers. A friend told me about a job on the Philadelphia Inguiner. This ‘was one of the best newspapers in the United States. I wrote to the newspaper and I gor the job. L was very happy. . In the summer, Jenny visited her sister in Boston. She took the children with her. 1 didn’t go because I was busy with my new job. Every day, I was away from home for ten or tw hours, so we took Marley to a vacation home for dogs. Some days later, an animal doctor called me from the home sorry.” she*said, “but Marley's very sick. When he saw the other dogs, he got very excited. He ate his food too quickly. Then he had a bad problem with his stomach and he almost died. He’s a Titel better now, but it will happen aga “Oh,” I said, “What are you saying “Do you want us to help end Marle: “Lm sorry.” she said “Ob,” I said. I couldn't think. “I have to talk to my wife I called Jenny in Boston and we had a long conversation about Marley. In the end, Jenny said, “The doctor’ right, We have to do the best thing for Marley 1 called the doctor back. “Yes, Marley’s a very old dog,” 1 said. “Life isn't so good for him now. He doesn’t have many teeth and he can’t hear. His hips hurt him, too. “Yes,” she said. “Maybe we have to put him to sleep. But Vl call you again in an hour.” ‘When the doctor called again, she said dog, but he isn’t getting worse.” Marley's a very sick The next morning, she called again, “We can wait,” she said, “Marley’s eatin You can take him home tomorrow. I was very happy. The next evening, after work, I went to 334the dogs’ home. Marley was very thin and weak. I thanked the doctor. “Everybody herg loves Marley,” she sai. One of the workers helped 1 put Marley into the car. Then I drove him home, He couldn't climb the stairs to the bedroom and I didn't want to leave him. So, that night, I put a sleeping bag on the floor and lay down next to him. “Tomorrow Jenny and the children are coming back,” I said, “But tonight, Marley, its only you and me.” T thought about my first night with Marley, when he was a small puppy. That night, he cried for his mother, and then he slept in a box next to my bed. Now, thirteen years later, here ‘we were again. I put out my hand and petted him. + ext W In th cks, Marley got a little better. A lot of the time, he lay on the floor in the family room, asleep in the sun. ing, when I was in the bedroom, I heard a noise. Then Conor shouted, “Help! Marley fell down the stairs!” Marley lay at the bottom of the stairs. Jenny and I ran to him. But then he got up and walked away “Marley had a bad fall,” I told the children. “But he’s OK.” But Marley was hurt. When I got home from work that But one mor evening, he couldn't move. When he saw me, he tried to get up. But he fell down again on the floor. “I don't think Marley can go upstairs ag: * said. But [ was wrong. The next day, 1 was upstairs at_my my bedroom when I heard a sound. 1 turned ley stood at the bedroom door! computer i around, Ma “Marley 1 went to him and petted him, Then I looked into his eyes. I said. “What are you doing here?” Marley,” I said, “you're going to tell me when ies time— a4 Chapter 10 A Great Dog Winter arrived early that year. The children waited for the snow “Can Marley live through another winter?” I thought. Jenny and I took the children to Disney World in Florida. It was their first Christmas away from home and they were very excited. Jenny took Marley to the animal doctors’ office. They gave him a home there and watched him carefully. We had a great family vacation. But on the way home, somebody called us from the doctors office. “Marley's very tire ind his hips are really hurting him.” she said, The next day, Jenny went for Marley. He got out of the car, but he couldn't walk into the house. He lay on the ground outside. Jenny called me at work. 1 can’t get Marley inside,” she said, “He can’t get up.” efi my office and wert home. When I arrived, Marley was inside the house. But he was very sick. He lay on the floor, For the first time in thirteen years, he didn’t get up when he saw me. His eyes followed me, but he didn’t move his head, Hooked at his stomach; it was very big, [called the animal doctors. Bring Marley here now.” a young woman doctor said Hooked at Jenny and she looked at me. “Marley has to go to the hospital,” we told the children. “The doctors are going 10 try to make him better. But he's very sick.” With Jenny’s help, I put Marley into the back of the car. He lay on the floor. I petted his head. “Oh, Marley,” I said again and again At the hospital, I helped him out of the car and took him inside, The young doctor took him away. Then she came back and showed some pictures of the inside of Marley's stomach. 354“Fim very sorry,” she said quietly. “We can't do anything for understand,” | said, “Please can I say goodbye to him? “Yes, of course,” she said. “Have as much time with him as you want.” Marley was asleep. I got down next to him and ran my fingers through his fur. I held up each ear in my hands. | ‘opened his mouth and looked at his teeth. Then | held up his front paw “L want you to understand something, Marley.” I. said. “Sometimes we called you the world’s worst dog. But you're not. We never told you this before ... but you're a great dog, Marley. A great dog.” I sat with Marley for a long time, then I called the doctor “im ready now,” I said held Marley's head and the doctor gave Marley something. He died quietly. “| want to take Marley home,” I said. Two people brought a large black bag out to my car. Then I thanked the doctor and drove away. When I got home, the children were in bed. 1 put my arms around Jenny and we cried for a long time, we went outside. We took the black bag out of the car and put it into the garage. Next morning, Jenny told the children about Marley. They were very sad and started to cry. T said. “When you have a dog, this always happens. Dogs don't live as long as people.” ‘Conor made a picture and wrote a letter for Marley: To Marley. I loved you all my life. You were always there when 1 wanted you. Your brother, Gonor Richard Grogan. Colleen made a picture of a girl with a big yellow dog. She wrote under the picture: Iwill never forget you, Marly. Ie didn’t hure 36 | found a very good plice for Marley, in the ground under wo big fruit eres, I put the black bag in the ground, and Jenny and the children watched. After I finished, everybody said, “We love you, Marley.” Then we went back to the kitchen and told stories about Marley. Sometimes we laughed and sometimes we cried, The next days were very difficult, The house was very quiet. When Ic the house, but his fur was everywhere, One morning, when | ne home at night, there was no Marley. Jenny cleaned put on my shoes, I found some of Marley's far inside them, Marley was my dog for thirteen years. He wasn't an obedient dog, but he was important in my life. 1 wanted to tell other people about him. So [ wrote about him in my newspaper. Nobody called Marley a great dog ... ora good dog, I wrote. He was wild and crazy. He had to leave obedience school. He chewed things, and he wast very intelligent. But he understood ss very good with children. A person can learn alot from a dog. Because of him, I listened to people’ feelings, and he amy feelings. Because of him, | enjoyed winter sunlight and the snow and a walk in the woods. Because of him, I can be a A dog can show us the important th interested in fast cars or big houses or expe dog your love, and he will give you his, + Many people read about Marley in the newspaper. An lovers called me and wrote to me. They wrote to me about their love for dogs. They wrote about their feelings when their dogs died, Many people wrote funny stories about their dogs. Some people wrote, “Marley wasn't the worst dog in the world. My ddog’s the worst dog in the world!” I began to feel better. T took the letters home and showed them to Jenny. She 37slaughed, too. ‘Winter came to an end and it was spring, Our yard was full of flowers, I didn’t think about Marley all the time. When T thought about him, I usually remembered the happy days In many ways, ife without a dog was easier. The house and the yard were clean, We could enjoy going out to dinner. But something about our family wasn’t right. ‘One morning, Jenny showed me the newspaper, “Look at this,” she said. It was an ad for a dog. I saw a photo of a big yellow Labrador. [looked at the photo, then I looked again. “That's Marley!” I said. “It isn’t Marley,” said Jenny. “Look.” Under the photo was the dog's name: Lucky. I read: on looking for a new home and a new family, F want a quiet home, because Vm a title wild We read the ad and looked at the photo again. We didn’t say anything for some time, ‘Then I said, “We can go and look at him.” "Yes,” said Jenny. “Why not?” ACTIVITIES Chapters 1-2 Before you read 1 Does your family havea pet? Talk about your pet, or about a friend's pet. a What ist? bb What is its name? ‘eHow did you (or your friend) get it? What does it eat? ‘e What does it ike to do? {| What does it not ike to do? 2. Do you like dogs? Why (not)? Do many people in your country have dogs in their homes? 3 Look at the Word List at the back of the book. a Which are words for: 1) ayoung dog? 2) akind of weather? 3) avery, very small animal? b Why: 1) do dogs wag their tals? 2) do people read newspaper ads? 3) do people have plants in their houses? While you read 4 What happened first? And then? Number these sentences 1-7. The plant died, John moved to Florida and married Jenny. John and Jenny went to see some puppies. John's father gave him a dog, Jenny saw an ad in the newspaper. John bought a plent for Jenny. large yellow dog ran out of the woods. @teace Alter you read 5 Why are these important in the story? 39a Bob Marley b Buddy, adog ¢ strong chemicals 6 Look at the picture of Marley on page 5. What other words can you write around the picture? (head, eyes ...) Chapters 3-4 Before you read 7 Talk about these questions with a friend. ‘a Why do people have pets? b_ What problems can there be with pets? ‘What can dogs learn in an obedience class? ‘d_ What can people do with their pets when they go on vacation? White you read '8 Finish the sentences with the words on the right, a Dr Jay {grabbed things and chewed them. b John often has bad thunderstorms, © The teacher ‘gave Jenny a beautiful chain. Kathy has small country roads, fe Patrick understood dogs very well {Ireland stayed in John and Jenny's home. 9 Florida was Marley’s new best frend. Marley didn't want Marley in the obedience class. After you read 9 Work with another student. Student 4 is John Grogan, and Student B is Dr. Jay. Talk about Marley's problems in thunderstorms. Begin the conversation in this way: Student A: Hello, Dr. Jay. Can I talk to you about Marley? Student B: Yes, of course. How can |help you? ‘Student A: Well, Marley is afraid of thunder. He has bad ‘problems in thunderstorms. Student B: Really? What does he do? 40 Chapters 5-6 Before you read 10 Do you like movies about animals? Why (not)? Think of a ‘movie about an animal and tell a friend the story » What kind of animal was in the story? ‘What happened in the story? ‘What happened to the animal at the end? While you read 14 Read the sentences, How do they end? Underline the right words. (One night, John heard a cry in the street. It was asmallchild, ayoungman. air. When Jenny was in hospital, John did the housework very well. butrnot very well. very badly. ‘When Conor was torn, Patrick was twelve months old. seventeen months old. two years old, When Conor was 2 small baby, Jenny wanted Marley to leave. Marley to stay. to get anew dog, Alot of newspaper ads were from people with dogs’ homes. Labrador puppies. Labrador dogs. Marley's second time at the obedience class was better. worse. the same. After you read 12 Answer these questions. Who was Bob Gosse? Why was he interested in Marley’? How did John find out about Marley's movie? Why did the Grogen family move from West Palm Beach? What did they like best about their new house? What was the problem with Marley’s cage? Chapters 7-8 Before you read 18 What did the Grogans like about Marley? What did they not like about him? Would you like Marley in your home? Me14 Before you get a dog, what do you have to think about? Talk about these ideas with a friend. Then tink of other ideas and discuss them, + the cost f dog food + walking the dog + cleaning the dog While you read 15 Are these sentences right (/) or wrong (x)? Most dogs in Boca Raton were very large. Marley pulled a table away from a restaurant. John had a party on his fortieth birthday. You could take dogs to most beaches in South Florida, ‘Marley pooped in the ocean at Dog Beach. John got a job with a newspaper a long way from Florida, 9. Attheir new home, Marley could not see the chickens very well. After you read 16 Which person or animal had these thoughts? ‘a “Why don’t these dogs want to be friends with me?” b “It's my birthday today. | really want to do something ‘exciting, but Jenny's too tired, © "I'm going to invite our friends to a party for John, But I'm ot going to tell him about it, d_ “Ican never take Marley to Dog Beach again.” @. “That sandwich looks good. Nobody's here. I'm going to eat it!" Chapters 9-10 Before you read 17 Discuss these questions with a friend, ‘a How does a dog change when it gets old? What can people do for sick animals? © Are there places for sick animals in your country? 2 white you read 18 There are mistakes in these sentences. Cross out the mistakes and write theright words. ‘a When Marley got od, his fur was yellow. John started work at another magazine, When Jenny went to Boston, Marley stayed with John. Alter Marley died, John and Jenny saw ‘an ad for a different kind of dog, ‘After you read 419 Work with another student. Student A is John, and Student B is Jonny. When Jenny was in Florida, John called her about, Mariey. Have their conversation. Begin in this way: Student A: Hello, Jenny. 'm sorry, but | have to tell you something. Marley's very sick. ‘Student B: Oh, no! What happened? 20 Discuss these questions with a friend. a “Marley.” | said, “you're going to tell me when it's time— right?" What did John mean? Why did he say that? “Apperson can lear alot from a dog,” What did John mean? What otherideas do you have? ¢ How did people's letters about their dogs help John and Jenny? 1d Do you think Marley really was “the world’s worst dog’ Writing 21 Write about Marley. in what ways was he a bad pet? In what ways was he a good pet? Why were the Grogans very sad when he died? 22 You have some puppies and you want to sell them. Write a newspaper ad. 23 You are John. Your oldest son, Patrick, is asking you about your first dog, Shaun. Write the conversation 24 You work for a vacatien company in Ireland. Write an ad for a vacation with your company. 43+25 You are John. Write some nates for Kathy about Marley. Food: Water: Fleas: Walks: Thunderstorms: 26 You work for a newspaper in Florida, Write a story about Lisa, John's seventeen-year-old neighbor 27 Write a letter to John Grogan at the end of the story. Tell him about your dog, or another animal, 28 Tell the story of a book or a movie about an animal ‘Angweror the avis nthe book ar sali rom he Regain Rear wb ‘Nice Actvty Wonkshot sao rem he web. Actnty Worse ae we mpenpeinrnier com, WORD LIST ‘ad (n) My friend bought her car through a newspaper ad ‘bow! (n) The dog drank water from a howl cage (n) There is a dangerous animal in thae chain (n) She wore a beautiful chai around her nk chemical (n) Go and wash that sical off your handy chew (\) Young puppies driv everything. They love to dew on shoes. flea (n) This morning I found a flea in my cat’ hat {grab (v) The dog grabbed the ball and ran avvay: hold () The little boy's mother field his hun eash (0) I always put a least on my dog when L take him fora walk, Wie (¥) The children lay on the floor and watched TV neuter (v) When my dog is seven months old, the animal doctor is going to neuter hin ‘obedient (adi) Everybody leves obedient children. Somebody hay to teach those children obedione pet (a/v) When I was a child, I had lors of pers. [loved playing with them, and petrig them plant (n/v) We'have many >eautiful plams in our yard. We planted them last summer. poop (n/v) There is dog poop everywhere on that beach, The dogs ‘poop and people leave it there Puppy (a) The little puppy cvied all night tor its mother sniff (v) The dog sniffed everywhere in the room betore it sar down. thunderstorm (3) My sisters atfaid of siundersorns, She doesn't like the noise ‘wag (v) When a dog feels happy, st was its tailLevel 2 . Elementary Level 3 0 termed Level 4 00 herdwords fi Level 5 Ee 042-6376 9 It 263761 PEARSON