Status Updates From Marley and Me

By golly these guys are bad dog owners

I thought this was a kids book. I was wrong

He taught us the art of unqualified love. How to give it, how to accept it. Where there is that, most of the other pieces fall into place.

A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbols mean nothing to him. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog judges, others not by their color or creed or class, but by who they are inside. A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever, or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.

And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.

Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled, exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight.

Marley reminded me of life‘s brevity, of its fleeting joys and missed opportunities. He reminded me that each of us gets just one shot at the gold, with no replays.