I listened to the book on CDs about a year ago and loved it. For some reason I was not as moved by the inevitable ending as I was when I saw the movie a couple of weeks ago. Although I thought there were some missed opportunities to be funnier, I laughed out loud many times despite knowing what was coming. I had a German Shepherd, Anka, who lived 14 years and never failed to provide unconditional love through some pretty troubled times. Seeing Marley deteriorate, taking that horrible final ride, waiting while the vet prepared the lethal injection and then saying goodbye while it entered his body forced me to relive the last hours of Anka's life and what has to go down as some of the most painful of mine. At first, I was angry that the movie forced me to experience that anguish of 6 years ago but as I was riding home my feelings changed to one of gratitude, because I remembered all the wonderful times we had together and how she "told me" it was time to let her go. I got home and hugged my dogs (another German Shepherd and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and appreciated how lucky I've been to have always had these incredible companions in my life.
Review of Marley & Me
