Chapter Twenty-four: The Potty Room and Chapter Twenty-five: Beating the Odds Summary and Analysis

As Marley grows older, he develops a few odd habits, one of which involves sneaking away from the house. One night John lets Marley out to go potty before bed and later is nowhere to be seen. After searching the entire property, they return home to find Marley under the porch overhang. Stairs also pose some difficulty to Marley's arthritic hips; however, Marley continues to follow the family wherever they go. Marley starts taking his time going up or down the front steps.

Marley's aging prompts John to leave Organic Gardening and return to the world of newspapers. Although he has a forty-five minute commute each way, he is happier back in a newsroom. Not long after John begins his new...