I noticed a few people said the same thing I did when I read the book...I couldn't stop crying at the end and I kept hugging my dog...I think I am on the verge of annoying him...lol...I keep hugging, snuggling to and kissing him...I appreciate him SOOO much more after I read that book...great book, thanks!!

Yes, I had a hard time reading the end of the book also. I cried and still feel sad when I think of it. I also had a couple of dogs pass away a few years ago. The end is so difficult to deal with.
Cindy

Glad I am not alone...cried like a fool and then I ended up laughing because all three of my labs were playfully attacking me and licking my tears!! The end definitely brought back memories of my old girl I had to put down two years ago...here I go getting tearful again!!

Yes! I was so glad I read it at home with my two by my side. As soon as I finished the book and pulled myself together, I took my two for a nice walk. It sure makes you appreciate them doesn't it?

I agree with all of you. It was a great book with a sad sad part at the end. I had to explain to my boyfriend how it was still a good book despite the ending.... pretty much, it sums up the lives of all of us animal lovers- you do eventually have to deal with the loss-you pet won't last forever, but all the wonderful memories you have had together certainly will.

i gave my two guys big hugs when i got done reading it too....they didn't seem to mind :)

i felt the same way as all of you did. i have lost pets over the years and that last chapter brought all those memories back, but they were good memories. my big guy also was laying with me when i finished the booh. he was also up in my face licking it and wagging his tail like a mad man. i think that book does give you a lot to think about. hope we can find another book like it to read.

I think the impact is so strong because we KNOW all those emotions, feelings and memories and know that part of having our beloved pets is saying "goodbye" at some point. Marley reminded me so much of our first choco named Dutch (especially the part about obedience school!) and the end brought me full circle to the day Dutch went to the Bridge. I cried so much that my eyes were still swollen the next morning. Although it was sad, it reminded me of all the funny things that Dutch did, and reminded me to pay attention to the little things that Roux and Addie do and to appreciate every day I have with them. :)

I am getting my 1st lab in a few months and bought this book because I heard it was really good. Do you guys suggest that I wait till after i have my pup to read it or should I read it now? i guess I could always read it again after I have my lab for a few years.

Well, I hadn't even read more than 2 pages in the bookstore and had to hurriedly purchase it and run out...because I was already sobbing. It's the kind of book I've seriously thought of writing for years about two of the many, many dogs in my life. And you know what...it NEVER gets any easier to say goodbye.
For those of us who have loved and lost our "Marleys" the book is a heartbreaking trip down memory lane...but for you Ricky22...this might be a great way for you to appreciate every little, crazy thing your new Lab does...because I'm telling you...it goes by soooo fast. Suddenly, my lanky, destructive, wild 11 week old, puppy Bailey, aka BaBa; is now a lanky, destructive 9 year old still creating havoc!! But I know the count is on...I can't even continue.:frown: I'm going to take him for a walk right now! Enjoy the moments!!!

Thanks, I figured it would be a great book to see what I am in store for. i just hate knowing that there is a sad ending.

Isn't tears a good thing in a book ending? I love books that touch a part of me. Because we all love our pooches so much...how could we not be heartbroken at this new buddy we just met- and we went thru his whole life- and it's damn sad. But, it's not just sad- it's beautiful too. MArley lived a pretty good life, had his share of adventures, and settled down in nice old age.

I was in tears at the end too. I felt like I knew Marley and it was so sad! Marley in his old age brought back so many memories of Blackie's last few months and it's so heartbreaking. My mom finished reading it last night and she was crying too. It was a wonderful book though!

I have been reading the book at the bookstore and man, was it hard to finish it in the store. I had tears welling up in my eyes and couldnt blink without tears running down my face. I just had to run home and hug my pups when I was done iwth the book. I haven't lost a dog to old age yet, unfortunately my first 2 dogs died young, one at age 2 and the other at age 5. :( But man, the book still hit home. Losing a dog is so hard.

Hello everyone. I am a new member. Some of you may know my pup Hunter. I just wanted to say that Marley and Me was one of the best books I ever read. I am a teacher and today during my prep period I had to finish this book. I wish I had a little warning because when Marley was put to sleep I creid so hard I had to not only put the book down but explain to several colleagues why I was absolutely histerically crying. Not just tearing or sobbing but balling my eyes out. This book touched me so deeply. For the first time since I had Hunter I could not wait to get home and hug him. It made me realize how much I love my pup. It also made me realize that I sometimes take his loyalty for granted. Hunter will never live 13 years like Marley. He has many leg problems and I know he will some day soon be in too much pain to keep going. I know now that I have to appreciate every moment I have with him. A funny thing with dogs they are the only thing who will love you unconditionally. Thank you so much for writing this book.

you know, while I was reading the book, I kept thinking to myself (in between laughing at Marley's antics) 'Thank the gods Nala's not like Marley', but at the same time almost wishing that I did have a Marley, just because of his overly abundant enthusiasm and happiness. And after I finished the book, I felt like I had lost a dog too, and missed Marley even though I only knew him from reading the book.

Yep, I cried like crazy too. NO more make-up left, nose all stopped up, couldn't see the pages and just really sad. I think someone else said the reason it hit so hard for alot of us, is we can so relate and be in that moment at any given time. Just really sad. Great book though. Absolutely loved it.

I just finished the book last night and I'll tell you what- I read it out loud to the DH and him and I were BOTH bawling. Everyone knows that at some point they will have to go through what Marley's family does, so I think that is why it hits you. This story about John's family and Marley was seriously one of the most touching and wonderfully written stories I have ever read.

When I read the book, I kept closing it on that last chapter because I knew what was coming. It was as if I didn't read it then Marley would live. But I eventually sucked it up and read until the end. I was crying so hard I had dry heaves. I have never cried like that from a book and I read NIcholas Sparks for whom sad stories are the norm. I too felt like I had lost my own dog. Marley became such a part of me while I was reading the book.

My dogs were snuggled with me while I was reading the end and I just buried my head in them and cried like a baby.

The hardest of reading the book was actually reading it..I'd read something and then have to discuss it with whoever was home at the time and re read the part and laugh and cry and then go on to the next page. LOL

By the time i got done I was calling my dogs Marley! lol

I havent started reading the book yet and I'm already sad. I feel like a deathrow inmate. I know whats coming, there's now way to stop it and it sucks. I plan on reading it this weekend.

I'll have to let you know the outcome.

I just finished it this afternoon, and it is so good to hear that so many of you had the same sobbing experience that I did (because I think my kids thought I was mental!) The funny part here is that, as I was reading and bawling, Pepper was right next to me... humping a couch pillow 90 miles an hour! Not exactly the time to start hugging him!

I stayed up until almost 2am to finish the book... so addicting, wonderfully written, and so touching. I was crying my eyes out with Ruby laying in my lap just looking at me. Just overall loved the book!!!

Yep, bawled my eyes out...so bad that people were asking me what was wrong the next day...all I could say was "good book"

I had to stop reading during lunch because I was crying. :frown: This is a great book, even though it might be a little while before I read it again. :rolleyes:

The book is what brought me here, so you know that it touched me. I tried to hold back my man tears as much as possible, but had a wet sleeve by the time I put it down. My wife was anxious to read it. She "finished" it last week. I use the term "finished" loosly because she refused to read the last couple of chapters... absolutely refused. In fact I did the best I could to tell her exactly how it ended, as softly as I could, and she busted out crying after just putting on her make-up before work. She had to reapply and gave me the stink-eye the rest of the day for not stopping before she started. I thought it was important that she heard it, no matter how hard. She and I have both commented several times how that book has made us see Koda in a different light. Like he needed more pampering!