I'm a subscriber to Bark magazine and have read most of the "Rex and the City" columns. I always rolled my eyes--why was this being published? Why do I keep reading, waiting for something interesting to happen? When I heard it was being compiled into a book I blanched: who cares!

I read Marley because a friend handed it to me and said, "Want to read the most treacly, insipid thing ever? Jon Katz (a very good writer of dog subjects) should be ashamed for his blurb."

If you haven't read them, you aren't missing anything.

I already thought New York writers could be self-absorbed, but this really takes the cake! Do you also plan a book based on the columns you write about another author having scooped your book based on your dog columns?

I know two families who bought dogs from reputable breeders and had terrible problems. In both cases, the breeder was not only top-notch, but required the potential owners to visit, be interviewed, and sign agreements about dog care and responsibilities.

One dog was a golden retriever that, despite having no problems in his breeding history, developed severe displasia and required surgery (paid for by the breeder, but he's still lame). The other was a French bulldog who developed breathing problems that caused him to constantly choke on his food. He died after surgery.

In neither case was the problem improper breeding. Rather, it was the very nature of pure-bred dogs themselves. The entire golden breed has been corrupted by popularity, and the genetically engineered snout of Frenchies makes them pitifully likely to have nasal problems.

What are we doing here? Why are we creating these unnatural and unhealthy animals? If we truly loved dogs, we'd stop this.

Are insane. As someone who cringes at most of the navel-gazing in this magazine, and as someone who hates dogs (but doesn't have a problem with people who love them) I actually found the article interesting. It's about spending a lot of time on a project, only to be one-upped at the very end of the process. I wish I heard more about her interaction (if any) with readers or people accusing her of ripping off "Marley."

I LOVED this essay!

Rex and the City is a VERY touching story about a sincere couple who adopt a shelter dog--because they wanted to rescue a needy animal. The dog they take home is a handful, but they love him and train him and turn him into a wonderful dog. What could be a better story than that? Marley and Me was boring, frankly. Someone needs to say that. It's another case of a book not rising up to the hype. If I wrote a book and another book came out just like it that was BAD, i'd be really upset. Lee handled her reaction graciously, it seems, and with humor.

Plus, I agree that you should rescue dogs, not buy from a breeder. 9 million dogs are euthanized every year. kudos to the author for saving one, and for encouraging her readers to rescue dogs, too. (she donates proceeds to local animal shelters). In her book she tells you that, yes, adopting a dog can be a challenge, but one that can be overcome. with wonderful rewards. i loved this book.

As someone who's read both 'Marley' & 'Rex in the City,' I can say that both books are terrific.

From the Oxford English Dictionary: "1. That feels or is capable of feeling; having the power or function of sensation or of perception by the senses. b. Conscious or percipient of something." Sounds like it ain't just gorillas and people who are sentient, then.

Sounds good and I'm a sucker for those stories (Anyone read "The cat who came for christmas" ?)

Searched for "Rex and the city" but they didn't have it.

Feel like I was a bit harsh on the author, her hearts in the right place. But the article itself seemed pointless and I'd just come from Broadsheet, which always winds me up.

Pet rescue is the best but I must admit I'm a sucker for one particular dog breed (Cavaliers). Unfortunately even when focusing on just one breed for rescue there's still way to many dogs passing through our local CKCS rescue.

not to get too sidetracked here but yes, many pet stores are actually getting puppies from shelters and rescues these days, completely circumventing all breeders, good or bad and mills. I hope this is the wave of the future, Matt, even though it sounds like you have a good thing going.

I'm an extremist, I admit. There are plenty of homeless dogs and puppies, so I personally don't see the need for people breeding them on purpose AT ALL. I'll never budge on this, but I'm sure you breeders out there have your reasons.

You can't pick the exact genetic/personality makeup of your human child--you spin the wheel. The same is true with dogs. Even a reputable breeder cannot guarantee you the perfect dog. That's why I maintain, if you want the dog you had as a kid, try the rescue first.

3reddogs, good to see you have a 'robust rescue program' in your area. That's progress.

I've had great luck with my rescue and shelter dogs. They're loving and wonderful. (and Marley-esque occasionally.)

To Matt:

You're right - I generalized when I said all puppies in pet stores comes from puppy mills but I'll not budge from the fact that no REPUTABLE breeder would ever consign a litter of puppies to a pet store. A reputable breeder has their puppies' welfare uppermost in their mind. They screen potential buyers to be sure they'll provide the puppy a good, loving home and adequate medical care and will usually insist that the buyer sign a contract agreeing, among other things, to spay or neuter the pup. A reputable breeder will most probably also stipulate in their contract that if things don't work out with one of their dogs that it must be returned to them (rather than dumped in a pounded or sold to another buyer) for a full or partial refund. IMHO, anyone who would rely on a pet store to sell their litters of puppies is a lot more interested in the money than in the welfare of their puppies. (And any pet store that takes a consignment of puppies under the age of 8 weeks is totally irresponsible.) About the only thing that separates these "backyard breeders" from puppy mills is that the mother of those puppies probably has a better life than the poor dogs in puppy mills who spend their lives in miserable conditions and are then "put down" when they're past breeding age. (And you'd be surprised how many people buy puppies "on impulse" and pet stores that sell puppies are feeding on that impulse -- pure breed rescue programs like the one I'm involved in are full of dogs that were purchased on impulse from backyard breeders and pet stores. And what do these owners do when their puppy is no longer a cute little bundle of fur, but a 60 or 70 pound dog that's out of control because they didn't bother doing any socialization and obedience training? They realize that they really didn't want a dog after all and when that chilling day comes the main thing they're interested in is getting the dog out of their house. Sadly, many of these impulse buyers then either dump their dog in a pound or shelter or run an ad in the paper, or, if the dog's lucky, they contact a rescue group who'll see to the dog's medical needs, place it in a foster home for evaluation so that it can be matched with the right new home and family, and then do regular follow-ups to be sure that things are going well for the people and the dog .) I applaud your pet store's policy that frequent repeat sellers are told that they can only sell one litter every 6 months but, cynic that I am when it comes to this subject, what's to stop them from just going to another pet store that's also willing to take litters "on consignment"?.