A story from Leslie Haehn about Alex posted 10/30/2008 Like you, I am a dog lover. I currently have four that I rescued from various places. I also owned a chewing, digging, mischevious Golden Retriever that had to be put down at the ripe old age of 16. She walked 1 mile the day before, but her ears didn't spring up when I opened a can of Albacore Tuna for her and we both knew that was her time. I just wanted to tell you Marley and Me was the BEST! I look forward to seeing you on November 5 in Birmingham. I live not too far from where you grew up although across the lake. Pete Kowalski and his family are wonderful friends of ours and our children go to school together. Thank you for the truly enriching story of Marley & Me and I can't wait to read The Longest Trip Home. A story from Alexis about Kayley the posted 12/01/2008 My dog Kayley is 5 years old and I am 9 we are best of friends and can NEVER be seperated!But here is a funny story that tells how much she loves me and my family.In June 2006 we were packing our car to go to Disney World but had to go to Charlotte,NC to meet my cousins and grandma and aunt because we were all going together.When we were packing the car Kayley knew we were leaving for more then just off to work or school so she went crazy.Everytime we walked out that door to put something in the car she chased us out or agleast tried to.Then if she couldn't get outside she would whine and whine and whine until in her head it was like she was saying "Now Kayley this is your chance".Then when we went out and I slightly left the door open,that was her chance.Soon after that she raced out of the door knocking my mom down jumping into the backseat.We tried to get her out but she wouldn't budge it was soooo funny!Once we got her out and we were leaving I swear in her head she was saying "NO DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!"I felt sooo bad for her but she survived for a week without my mom and I because my dad stayed home.Now we are sitting in my living room and Kayley is sleeping in front of the fire.I love her and so does everybody else she knows she is just the best thing thaat could ever happen to my family. A story from Alexis about Kayley the "You can't leave dog" posted 12/01/2008 My dog Kayley is 5 years old and I am 9 we are best of friends and can NEVER be seperated!But here is a funny story that tells how much she loves me and my family.In June 2006 we were packing our car to go to Disney World but had to go to Charlotte,NC to meet my cousins and grandma and aunt because we were all going together.When we were packing the car Kayley knew we were leaving for more then just off to work or school so she went crazy.Everytime we walked out that door to put something in the car she chased us out or agleast tried to.Then if she couldn't get outside she would whine and whine and whine until in her head it was like she was saying "Now Kayley this is your chance".Then when we went out and I slightly left the door open,that was her chance.Soon after that she raced out of the door knocking my mom down jumping into the backseat.We tried to get her out but she wouldn't budge it was soooo funny!Once we got her out and we were leaving I swear in her head she was saying "NO DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!"I felt sooo bad for her but she survived for a week without my mom and I because my dad stayed home.Now we are sitting in my living room and Kayley is sleeping in front of the fire.I love her and so does everybody else she knows she is just the best thing thaat could ever happen to my family. A story from Alexander Rao about Debate speech posted 12/09/2008 I am a huge fan of Marley and me. So much in fact that I've read it 4 time going on to my 5th. A few years ago I lost my dog Shadow, who was hit by a car and died in my arms. The pain I had from loosing him mad me go numb even after I got another dog named Jett(pic up top). This book made me remember the times I had with Shadow and helped me accept the loss. I love this book so much I have turned it into a debate speech. The form of debate I do is called dramtic interpataion (DI). In this event we take a piece of published literature and cut it into a 10 min memorized story which we then act out in from of judges several times. I really hope I can record this for all of you to watch. I love performing this piece, and the judges who watch it all tell me after thay it makes them want to hug and play with there dogs, or that it reminds them of some lost but loved pets. They then say there going to buy and read the book. I can't wait until the movie comes out! Thank you for telling the world about this AMAZING story. From Alexander Rao PS-this past weekend I received my first Debate Trophy for my presentation on Marley and Me A story from Donna Retheford about Our Marley posted 11/30/2009 Eleven years ago we visited a local bird breeder where my son chose a little 2 week-old cockatiel and immediately named him Marley. We visited weekly so they could bond and Marley came to our home on Christmas Day 1998. Marley became human to all of us but most importantly, he became Alex's brother, best friend, and guardian. He has followed him everywhere, slept at the foot of his bed many nights, played games and given lots of love. Alex left for college this past August and Marley has gotten me thru the empty nest syndrome. This morning, 11/29, he flew into my room, talked to me and kissed me, took a little nap beside me, and then we got up. While I got ready to go out, Marley went into his cage. About an hour later, as we were leaving the house, I went to tell him goodbye like always and was surprised to see him panting and shaking. After a quick call to the avian vet in San Francisco (20 miles away) we rushed out. I called my son, Alex, and he talked to Marley - Marley attentively listened to him while continuing the same symptoms. I took him out of the cage and he sat against my heart while I petted and soothed him. Sadly, my baby boy passed away in my hand just as we pulled up to the vet's office. Our loss is no greater than anyone else who has lost their beloved pet, but we are heart-broken over the passing of our son/brother. He greeted us each day with a "hi what cha doin?" or "hi baby", he told us we were "so beautiful" and "Marley's a pretty boy" or "a good boy", he played peek-a-boo with us or by himself if we didn't jump when he said "play peek-a-boo", and he kissed and loved us deeply. Thank God we were with our Mar-mar at the end. We were blessed with this little baby for 11 wonderful years and will treasure our Marley memories forever. A story from Glenda about Alex posted 12/10/2009 Dear Mr. Grogan, Thank you so much for writing the most heartwarming and enjoyable story I have ever read. I have been visiting this website on a regular basis for over a year now and am always touched by the heartfelt stories. Being loved by a dog, as you were by Marley, is one of life's greatest joys. I did not grow up with a dog, nor was I able to have one as a young adult. However, as soon as I was able, I got my first puppy, a beautiful chocolate and white cocker spaniel I named Alex. As you can see he has grown into a handsome big boy who has become the center of my life. He has been such a great joy. He enjoys belly rubs, long rides in the car and running free in the park. He is 71/2 years old now and when I bought his first bag of senior food I was saddened by the thought of how short a dog's life is. Alex had cranial cruciate repair sugery on both hind legs at age 5 and 6 respectively. I spent two whole summers nusing him back to health and although I landed in the poor house, when I see him running in the field like a pup, it was worth every cent. I am so happy that you have given all of us who love these wonderful family members a place to celebrate their lives. I am especially grateful to have this opportunity while my best friend is napping by my feet. I know we will both have many more adventures together. Thanks again for writing your family's beautiful story and for keeping this website available for all of us to share our stories. A story from Alex about Similarities posted 02/15/2010 When I first read Marley and Me, I was simply enjoying the book. Now when I reread it, I am surprised to see all the similarities between my dog Will and your Marley. When I read about Marley's billowing jowls, how he played submarine in his water bowl, how he trapped water in his mouth, I laughed out loud. That sounds exactly like Will. There are also habits like loving water, finding cunning ways into food or the trash, being ecstatic to meet anyone, being uncontrollably hyper. Will even steals small items and hides them under his bed. He does a little wiggle dance every time! :) But I was especially able to understand some of Marley's health problems. Will is a rescue, now five years old, and in winter it sometimes hurts his back to get up. He has hip problems, and he is at risk for his stomach flipping. I'm glad that Marley was able to make such a difference in your lives, like Will does in mine. I am almost fifteen and I hope Will can see me through the rest of my school. The best to you, your family, and your four legged companions. A story from alexandra-alex about oliver- my best friend posted 06/07/2010 Mr. Grogan, hi. i'm alex. i'm 12 years old and my dog's name was Oliver. I read your book and it was wonderful. When the story came to a close and it was time for Marley to pass on, I cried..... I closed the book and sat in my room for a couple of hours reliving what I had read.(Along with Marley's last few moments.That was really deep.) This is Oliver's story. Oliver has been with my family since before I was born and my best friend since...... I never really knew life without my loyal shetland sheepdog. I fed him, let him out, and played with him. He was upbeat and crazy most of the time, but could settle down at night. I was always the first one home and would be greeted by his usual bark of happiness. He was everything a loving family could want. But most of all he was my best friend. As he got older he slowed down, but was still as playful as ever. He just slept longer and seemed more tired. Toward his later years, he urinated on carpets and rugs. I would smell his mess and have to clean it up before my mom threw a fit. His hearing and eyesite was gone before I knew it and he was less and less like himself as time went on. One day I came home and did not hear his bark. He was sitting in our living room. Just lying there. I knew something was wrong. I talked to my parents but the didn't do anything about it. That Friday, his breathing was shallow ad he wouldn't lick me like old times. The next day we took him to the vet. Every second of that car ride I held him, begging him to stay with me.( He always was nervous in cars) He was totally unresponsive. The vet said he wasn't hydrated so they gave him fluids and oxygen. He wasn't doing well. We made the desision to put him down. We said our goodbye's but I had a feeling he wasn't all there. He kept putting his head up to he sky reaching for air that couldn't reach his lungs.He was 16 on June 4, but never made it. He died on May 17, 2010. When I got home from the vet, I went into my room and sat there, reliving his last few moments, wishing I would have stayed with him while he was put down. Though I knew it was too much for me to handle, I can't help but regret that I didn't stand by him like he did for me every time I needed him. I miss him still. Oliver is now buried in our yard along with some notes and a scarf I made for him. We had a little family cerimony. It wasn't anything fancy but it was everything to me. I miss him like crazy and from time to time I still cry. I'll always miss my Ollie-Bear,my pet, my brother, my best friend. Every story extends past its last page. How did you deal with coming home and not hearing Marley's happy bark or not having to feed him anymore? How did you deal???? Please share your thoughts with me. My email is www.confuddlefish.aak@gmail.com. You may not have time to answer, but your reply would be appreciated. Thank you for you time, Alex K. A story from Alex about Ginger posted 06/25/2010 Gingers bath: Ginger was actually a cat but he behaved like a dog I always noticed at the end of the day he would cuddle up with my own dog dipsy (whom I have left a story about) Ginger also rarley left my side and to be honest he was my best friend but on with the story. I had ran my self a bath it was not deep as I just wanted a quick bath but as I switched the taps of I went down stairs for a drink I did notice Ginger had sat with me while I ran the bath but I just thought he was in a clingy mood so I went down stairs, had my drink and when I arrived bck up Ginger was just sitting in my bath water as if nothing unusual had happened and he seemed to enjoy it. the end I have decided to write a childrens book series about a magic cat based on Ginger, I tried to write his Biography too but to other readers a cat who spent his life hugging dogs and following me around might not be very interesting but I know all his stories and so to me he's facinating A story from Alexandra about My dog Indie posted 06/30/2010 One day my dog Indie, was about to get a bath and he knows when he is about to get a bath, because i will go get the leash. so i went and got the leash and he goes and runs outside and he thinks that he is going to get the bath outside so he goes and rolls around in the grass until i have to go get him. so when i go get him i guess he decides he wants a bath now so i don't even have to put the leash on him he runs right up stairs and jumps in the bath tub and barks at me to give him a bath. 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