A story from Maria Mendoza about My Shih-Tzu Benny posted 12/13/2008 Well, may I start off by saying I LOVE Marley & Me. I'm a 17 year old high school junior who plans on being an artist in some area & maybe a writer in some time. In my life, I've ALWAYS wanted a dog - one of my very own. My entire life, my parents had their mutt by the name of Gin Gin, She lived until I was 14 years old. We had a few other dogs in that time, but none of them really mine. They were just for the family. I had plenty of cats - even mice. But a dog was my dream. Now, many teens get cars for their 16th birthday. I begged for a dog. My mother figured she could NOT deny me one considering my parents had split up in May a few months earlier. It was November now & I was done begging. I'd almost given up the good dog fight, but i never stopped secretly desiring one. Well, with $400 dollars & a newspaper classified add, my mother took me on Nov. 12th - 3 days before my birthday, & got me my very own dog. I named him "Benny" after a character in one of my stories. & I doted on this dog then on out... Perhaps 3 months later around the time this pic was taken actually! my sophmore Language Atrs teacher who i found to be a bit..."odd" put nicely hands out books to our class called "Marley & Me." "Well this sounds pretty ok..." says Maria to herself, being the picky reader she is. At this point, I was really not enjoying my pup as much as I should have. He was a menace! So hyper & needy! much like yourself, Mr. Rogan, I hadn't read ANYTHING on the breed before I bought him! So when I read you did the same, I had to laugh out loud! In class, by the way! But, after reading all the junk you needed to go through with your little pooch, it was nice to know my dog wasn't the only one who had pulled those stunts! He did EVERYTHING Marley did! and still kinda does! He knows his basic commands, but only listens if I'M the one giving them! He eats everything, barks, even and get a load of how awkward THIS IS! tries to, erm, "date" both our cats, Violet & Daisy... mega icky stuff Well, I just today finished reading "Marley & Me" for the 3rd time now. it speaks more & more to me every time I do. I take what you say & put it into action. I consider my dogs feelings when he wants a walk. we live in an apartment so they're a frequent thing & hes served as such a loyal loving friend in all my hardships... Through 3 boyfriends....6 breakups....countless sick days.....& oh so many lengthy phone calls that bother him because he knows "Mommy isn't talking to ME!!!" hes an attention hog! & even through the rough transition of my father & mother coming back together to work out their marriage.....he sits by my side. I want to thank you. your book is a God send. My mom is reading it, & I'm getting my new boyfriend to read it hes a lil bookworm! & yeah I got a good feelin' bout this boy if you were thinkin' "Hmm.....after 3 boyfriends? Is she nuts?" Its taught me so much. I'm going to buy your other book & I plan on buying "Marley & Me" the movie when its released! Thank you so much for your time. You have really touched my life with your wise words on how all people should see their animals - not even just dogs. THank you, & God bless. - Maria D. Mendoza of PHX, AZ. P.S. Give your family my good wishes - including your pets! And I only chose this pictue because it was the first time Benny proved he was a camera hog! He was running around, chasing his tail....yeah i'm rolling my eyes in humiliation and I said "Benny! Look at me for a sec, piggy!" He literally dead stopped, looked at my phone, and gave the cutest smile!!!! Once he heard the camera go CLICK CLICK, he was off again, in hot persuit of his tail, as if it had stolen his dog chow. Then, not 10 seconds later, barreled head first into our mirror wall....... Dont worry! he was on the chase again in about 3.2 seconds.... :) Read More Stories > Begin Sharing Your Story >