This Saturday night, I was absolutely alone at home staring at my laptop screen trying to find something, amongst my 1050 movies to entertain me.
Suddenly, my attention was drawn to the title ‘Marley & Me’ – a film I had been long avoiding due to the ending that I’d heard of. However, my overwhelming affection for dogs and state of mental helplessness got me to begin watching it.
From the very beginning, I was strongly reminded of my childhood desire of actually growing up with a pet. My choices were always limited to a dog or a horse. However, since the latter would be difficult to domesticate in an urban apartment environment, the dog was always the easier option. For years I have longed to go to a pet shop or an adoption home and come back with a little bundle of joy. For years I have been denied of any such happiness. What came closest was when Dada brought Dennis home, in Calcutta. He was a few weeks old – a yellow Labrador retriever and a mad little ball of fur. I was raised in Muscat while he grew up back home. Year on year, the most exciting thing to do during my annual summer trip back was to spend quality time with him, hoping that memories would last another year.
The family has not been very fond of pets – they prefer spotless floors and fur-free clothes over the bliss of animals’ unconditional love; What can I say, life is not perfect.
Coming back to the movie, it is the story of a clearance puppy ‘Marley’ (Named after the reggae tsar) adopted by the Grogan family. He quickly grows into a barrelling, ninety-seven-pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever. I found myself grinning uncontrollably as he crashed through screen doors, gnawed through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women’s undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewellery! Yet Marley’s heart was pure.
Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behaviour (And got expelled from obedience school), his love and loyalty were boundless, too. He stood rock solid with the family through their lives’ most precious moments as well as when they felt broken and at their wits end.
The film is a beautiful depiction of the meaning and happiness animals can bring to our lives – I was sobbing uncontrollably when the darling animal was buried and sent away peacefully with much love from the family that he had dedicated his whole life to.
The closing words of the movie leave one moist eyed and contemplating about the places and people we divert our affections towards. It is indeed true that…
A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine.
A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.
How many people can you say that about?
How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special?
How many people can make you feel extraordinary?
Sometime later in life, when I can, it is my heartfelt wish to adopt one of my own and experience what I have only seen, heard and read about.
With this note, my top favourite dog movies!
- 101 Dalmations (The Walt Disney version)
- Eight Below
- My Dog Skip
- Air Bud
- Lassie
- Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
and most recently, Marley & Me.
I havent seen it yet – but heard all kinds of good things! And yes, it is difficult for me not to read spoilers – but I'll try 🙂