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Gracie Meets Woodson
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
As I described in the previous entry, we have a new pup in our home. Woodson continues to channel the spirit of Marley as he races through our house, grabbing anything and everything he can get his teeth around. We need to watch the little scamp constantly, and he has forced us to turn our countertops into barren, food-free zones, lest the little counter-surfer-in-training strike again. Just this morning, I washed fresh fruit and put it in a bowl on the table. I turned away for about 45 seconds, and when I returned there was Woodson on the rug happily gnawing away on.... a nectarine! Like Marley with his mangoes, the dog sure loves his fruit and fiber.
He was 26 pounds when we brought him home last month. This weekend at the vet (and that's a whole other story that has to do with the mangled remains of a CD jewel case) he weighed in at 39 pounds. The Ghost of Marley is growing at an alarming rate. He just might end up looking like Clifford.
At any rate, I wanted to share the photo of Woodson's first meeting with our normally calm and collected female Lab, Gracie. As you can see, they were both a little worked up. I love the crazed look in both of their eyes. If there is ever a remake of Kujo, they're shoo-ins. After the initial high-voltage encounter, though, they've settled into a friendly relationship that involves a lot of tail biting, limb nibbling, neck-scruff tugging and other playful behavior. I need to give Gracie her chops. If it were me on the receiving end of all that puppy-dog comportment, I would have snapped by now.
posted by John Grogan at 6:22 AM
 
25 Comments:
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What a great shot of two siblings meeting for the first time!
There is nothing like a new furbaby to liven up a house hold!
Please keep us posted, I love reading about Woodson's antics!
I can't wait to read about Woodson's antics. There will never be another Marley, but you seem to have a good competitor for the antics.
Congrats on the new puppy - he's absolutely adorable. When I brought home a 7 week old black lab, my 5 year old (black lab) was NOT happy and it showed for a while. And then, one day, it seemed like she turned the corner and we were one happy family. She still won't lie next to him and if he plops down next to her and touches her .. she will get up and move! Other than that, they are best friends ... Enjoy the puppy.
www.twobarkingdogs.wordpress.com
When I read your book Marley and Me, I had many different emotions running through me. There were times I thought you were a wonderful family for taking in a not-so-well rounded dog that was full of energy and allowing him to stay regardless of what you had to go through. Over all I loved the book and Marley so much that I didn't want the book to end although I'm not sure I could have taken much more. Truth is Marley wasn't mine and I absolutely fell in love with him. I can't even talk about the book without starting to cry. Marley touched my heart so much and made me feel even closer to my little girl, Tokyo(a small black and white shih tzu) who doesn't know she is d o g. She possessses alot of Marleys same characteristics, i.e. terrified of thunderstorms and I mean TERRIFIED. We rescued her from an abusive home at the age of 1 yr. and though she took some getting used to she has come a long way from what she was and is now so different from what she was when we got her a year and a half ago. We do have puppy xanax she has to take during a thunderstorm and my husband understands now more about being a meteorologist than he ever thought possible. She makes our lives feel so much more complete and we love her with all our hearts! She is our life. We take her everywhere.
Marley and Me was an excellent read more about Marley than anything else. I will never regret having read this book.
John,
I just read your book, and absolutely loved it. I'm 24 and engaged to a wonderful guy, and we are adopting a West Highland Terrier puppy in a couple of weeks. In alot of ways, we are starting out too, just like you and Jenny. I grew up with a black lab named Lady, and so many of the things Marley did sounded completely familiar to me. The huge tail smacking everything, the slobber, the hyperactivity, the warm brown eyes, and the HUGE fear of thunderstorms. Ok, Lady was not as crazy-scared as Marley, but she would certainly act up. Labs are wonderful dogs...not the smartest or most obedient by any means, but true loyal friends who stick with you through everything. We lost Lady about a year ago, and it was rough. We got her back in 1992 when I was about 8 years old...she had been in my life for so long, and it hurt to see her so uncomfortable at the end. Just like Marley, she had terrible arthritis, and was blind and deaf before we had to put her to sleep. Anyway before I ramble on any more, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your book and wish you and your family all the best.
As a mom of three dogs, you're in for a treat with your new addition. It's amazing the trouble two can get in. We had a "good" one and introduced a "spirited" one and ...... bam it's contagious, but it's never dull.
I`m a Brazilian and I like your book...very,very, very much...
This is very important im my life...
Remember my dog...
Thank you for the big contribuiton in my life
Your book is simply the history more beautiful of the long time ...
Congratulations...
I`m Very Happy for the Marley history...
Sorry for my English...
I´m lose my lab at 3 years...
I loose my the best friend...
Really tnhanks for the Marley`s History,
Thank You John,
I`m a Brazilian and I like your book...very,very, very much...
This is very important im my life...
Remember my dog...
Thank you for the big contribuiton in my life
Your book is simply the history more beautiful of the long time ...
Congratulations...
I`m Very Happy for the Marley history...
Sorry for my English...
I´m lose my lab at 3 years...
I loose my the best friend...
Really thanks for the Marley`s History,
Thank You John,
Hey Mr. Grogan.
I don't know if you´re going to read my comment. I'm from Brazil, and it seems so far away from where you are.
I just wanna say thank you to put in words what I always feel about my dogs. I don't feel lonely when I think that I love my dog so much, and that he gives me feelings and lessons that it's hard for some people understand and accept.
As I know that many people already told you their cases, my dog is also like Marley, a crazy, and happy, and funny dog. He is a little shorter (Cocker Spainel Inglês - very normal type of dog in Brazil), but he causes damages that you can imagine. Sometimes It's boder me, cause I get really worried about his life. Today, for example, he ate a insecto, now he wont stop caughting.
I read your stories about dogs jumping pro the second and firs flo r. My dog(called Joey), almost jumped from the 14° flor of our building. That woudn't be funny at all. Sometimes on my days, I stop and thank God that he is alive and health.
I would love to write more and more stories for you, but you most have SO many othe things to read.
Love your book, and love marley's story.
Thanks for everything,
Lívia Beatrice
Oh, almost forgot! My best wishes to you, Jen, your sons, your daughter and Gracie. Can't wait to your movie get here in Brazil!
xoxo
Hey John,
I have just finished reading your book and loved it. I have read that you have a female labrador named Gracie and I would love to hear more about her, you stated that she was very well behaved, do you think that she is as loyal and loving as Marley was? I currently own a female labrador who is also very well behaved and am considering purchasing another labrador and am considering a male and i have heard that the males are more loving, loyal and dependant is this true in your experience.
Thanks,
Trent and Melly
John,
What a wonderful book Marley and Me. It is such an emotional book with laughing and crying. I also can not talk about the book without crying. It reminds me of my precious dogs that I have and would not trade for anything in this world. I seem to be the one people come to when they need a home for their dog if they are moving and can not take them with them, they leave them with me to care for and they grow old with me. I can't wait to read more of your stories. Keep them coming and the picture of Gracie and Woodson is awesome, not sure Gracie knows what to think about new pup! Hugs and thank you for such an awesome read.
John-
Thank you for putting into words the wonderful connection we humans have with dogs. I just finished your book and, among all of my tears and emotion, went to pat each of my 3 weimaraners who are asleep next to my bed. You are an EXCELLENT writer; I truly enjoyed your book. I feel like I loved Marley along with you and miss him on your behalf. I believe that God put dogs on this earth not only to be our true companions, but also to teach and remind us how wonderful the simple things in life are. They also show us what's true and really important. And for this I am thankful, every day, with each of my guys: Rex, Chance & Jasper. Thanks again for your work!
The book should have been renamed Marly and Me: The Worlds Worst Parents.
They have a dog deathly afraid of thunderstorms, yet decide to cram him into a crate too small, put him in an airplane cargo hold close to the engines, and don't even sedate him?
This is an example of good dog parenting? The Grogans, and the book, just strike me as quality examples of ignorant dog owners. Gracie and Woodson having similar issues like Marley only further demonstrate this ignorance.
About the best I can say for the book and the dog owners is they never gave up on him. It's too bad they failed to understand the basics of dog ownership.
Querido John,
Antes de tudo gostaria de parabenizá-lo pelo lindo cãozinho que vocês criaram e pela linda história de amor que Marley, você e sua família viveram! Ele era um verdadeiro companheiro! Digno de tamanha felicidade que foi descrita nesse seu livro!
Nossa! Como eu "vivi" cada momento escrito no seu livro, imaginando cada cena e viajando... :D E, consequentemente, fiquei triste nos momentos em que vocês estavam triste!
Nunca um livro fez isso comigo! Mas, tenho que admitir que tenho uma paixão por cães! E sou muito sensível quando se trata de animais... ainda mais no meu cachorrinho Tommy, que de pequeno não tem nada! hahahahaha Emocionei-me muito com as coisas espontâneas mas verdadeiras que o Marley fazia... E o que mais me comoveu foi quando ele, de alguma forma, sentiu que Jenny estava triste (pela perda do primeiro bebê) e foi consolá-la, a fim de confortá-la! Como eu imaginei aquela cena e como eu chorei!
Enfim, John, parabéns pelo grande cachorro que você teve! ;)
Beijos da sua nova fã, Julianna Henriques.
Ps.: Sou brasileira, natural do Rio de Janeiro. Conhece?
Cute! I can't believe you got another puppy! I don't think I can ever do that again! We recently lost Sydney, our yellow Lab, after 14 and a half years: www.sydneydog.blogspot.com. Life goes on (but it will never be the same). Enjoy your new bundle of fur!
John,
You've been blessed with two gifts: wonderful writing ability and a never give up spirit.
I laughed and cried continually throughout the reading of "Marley and Me". It's one of the most endearing books I've ever read.
After the illness or death of their dog, I've given many people a doggie guardian angel pin to wear. Now I'm going to include a copy of your book as well.
I could write a book about some of my experiences with "crazy" dogs, but... another time.
Maureen
Chicago, IL
I have read Marley and Me several times now, and every time I read it I laugh so hard throughout the entire book, sometimes uncontrolably and of course I cry very hard at the end. I cherish my book!
I love your book Marley and Me and can't wait to read your next. I belong to a kennel club and I am hoping to be at Baylor University for your booksigning so that I can get you to sign Marley and Me for our raffle that supports our club. I laughed and I cried and I hugged my dogs. Thank you
LOL i love the look in their eyes.
so cute! :)
I would like to read some of your articles from the newspaper, especially the one mentioned in the book that got such a huge response. How do I find them?
I would like to read some of the articles you wrote fot the newspaper, especially the one that got so many replies. How do I find them?
Hi John! I just finished reading your book lastnight or yesterday at 4am, I could not stop reading. As I read further to the end I could not stop crying also. I felt the emotions you wanted us to feel about you best friend and that's a good thing because I love that when I read books :) Oh man, I'm crying just thinking about your story. Okat get a hold of yourself Jashel haha
I want to say thank you for sharing your life with us. You taught me alot of things about life and how to live it like Marley.
Thank you!
http://mytalkingbird.blogspot.com/
Congrats on your new puppy! he is so cute. But I wonder if you ever miss Marley? I started to cry when I read the last pages even after I was finished with the book. I felt so close to Marley and when I think back to what I read in the book I start to sob some more. It was sooo sad. It almost was like he was identical to my dog but my dog is less destructive than Marley was. I felt like Marley was a dog i spent a lifetime with and it was so sad at the end I started crying like i never hav done before. When my dog dies I don't want to get another dog because I would feel like I would be forgetting about my dog and that I would be replacing her which I would never do.
Thanks John, For the laughs and the tears. I told my wife last nite after finishing the book,that the hardest thing about reading dog books is the dying.
Can't wait for the movie to come out.
Good luck to you, your family, and the dogs.
Troy