Marley and Me and Lacy makes Three

Columnist and author John Grogan's memoir of life with the family pooch, Marley and Me was the subject of a Lifestyle feature this weekend in the Santa Barbara News Press. I immediately felt like I'd known both he and his precocious Yellow Lab, Marley, for years and it was quite apparent that Marley, in one regard at least, is quite obviously a kindred spirit to, if not the elder brother of, Lacy.

Grogan's stories are different yet very much the same and the memoir oozes with the love of Master for his pet and even a grudging measure of respect for the animal's uncanny ability for mischief. It also reflects the sadness all must feel at the passing of any four-footed member of the family and reminds me of the dread I feel even this many years away from that day that waits for us when Lacy and Cassie both will no longer be ours.

At the end of it all, I'm just reminded how much I ought to enjoy every sock-swallowing, couch-chewing, carpet-shredding moment. And do.