Marley and Me
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Will the Real Marley Please Bark Twice?
When my wife Jenny and I named our Lab Marley, we really thought we were a couple of complete originals. Who else on the planet could possibly have dreamed up the idea of naming their dog after a famous raggae star? Man, were were geniuses!
As it turns out, a few others had the same idea... Since Marley & Me came out, I've been getting a steady stream of e-mails from the owners of dogs -- an alarming number of them male Labrador retrievers -- named....yes, you guessed it, Marley. What's funny is many of them have attached photos, and their Marleys even LOOK like my Marley. And, from the stories that are attached, more than a few of them ACT like him, too. Truly, a frightening proposition.
One such Marley owner is Cheryl W. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who wrote:
I just wanted to share with you that we have a yellow Lab as well, and his name is Marley too. We named him for the same reason you named yours, after Bob Marley. In August of 2001, my husband and I just lost our first dog of 10 years and had a miscarriage at the same time. So, we needed some spirit and "noise" in our house after our losses and decided we wanted another dog. It's amazing how quiet your house becomes after you lose a pet. So, we went puppy shopping and brought our Marley home a week before 9/11/01. The irony here is that he looks exactly like your Marley! I have enclosed some photos for you to enjoy. But, our Marley does not have quite the same amount of energy as yours did (unless there's a tennis ball involved!).
It was enjoyable to read your book and all of Marley's escapades and loving moments. One moment that touched me the most was when your wife was put on bedrest with Conor's pregnancy and you found Marley sitting by her bed. I am currently on bedrest with this pregnancy and there have been some days where my Marley doesn't leave my side. It's amazing how these dogs just have a gut instinct sometimes. Thank you for writing this wonderful memoir.
That's Cheryl's Marley at the top of this post. Open the back cover of Marley & Me and compare him to my Marley on the beach. Too close for comfort, don't you think? I suspect my Marley was Cheryl's Marley's evil twin. Or at least incorrigible twin.
posted by John Grogan at 8:18 AM
 
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MY name is Marley. And I am the two-legged variety.
I've met two dogs who were presumably named after me! I took this as the ultimate compliment since I am undeniably, in love with dogs! Great name, great dogs, grrreat combination!