Easy to be a voyeur of the heart in reading this book of the dog life of Marley...Maudlin as "Kirkus Reviews" suggests...still this book is a reminder of the kinder side of humanity...I'm convinced "Kirkus" must've been a cat in his/her other life...You don't have to own a dog to appreciate the joy of experiencing life with one...dogs are the most "Zen-like" of all species certainly more so than humans...dogs; live in the moment, have no hidden agenda, guilt or worry...forgive and love unconditionally...if we as humans were more dog like, sincere, honest and eternally loving...we wouldn't need attorneys or armies...territorial they may be...they just pee on the tree to proclaim ownership not occupy, bomb or other destroy it in the name ownership...given the current political backdrop "dogs" would lend credibility and honesty to our Government compared to any of the fodder being offered by the Democratic or Republican party all of whom misrepresent the benefits of Lobotomies...read Marley..you'll be the better for it!.....this book will bruise your heart but in a feel-good way!