In my 26 years of existence, I've known three dogs. Our first family dog we got from the local pound. We had him for several years before his daily routine of walking himself finally caught up with him; his route, you see, included crossing busy Glacier Highway.

Our second dog, the same breed as the first, we got as a puppy. He saw my sister and me through the majority of our childhood and then remained in Juneau with our parents once we migrated south. He passed earlier this year; he too was an old man.

Now I have my own dog. My girlfriend and I got her as a pup, and yes, she is the same breed as the first two. As I type she's conked out on our couch.

I give you this background information because, at least for me, it explains why "Marley & Me" had me pretty much weeping - I was trying to keep quiet, but I'll admit some sobbing sounds were emitted - for the last 20 minutes. At its heart, "Marley & Me" is about a man and his dog.

If you've ever been that man (or woman), then you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not? "Marley & Me" probably is not for you.

John Grogan, a columnist for the Philadelphia Enquirer, wrote the best-selling memoir about his life-changing dog; Scott Frank and Don Roos wrote the movie based on Grogan's book.

While I had my doubts watching the film about some of the crazy things Marley put John (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jennifer (Jennifer Aniston) through, I'm happy to report a bit of research confirmed that the movie stuck to Grogan's account of real life. So don't be afraid to marvel at the damage Marley the young puppy does to the couple's house during thunderstorms (Marley was not a fan of thunder). Don't pretend you aren't touched when Jennifer has a miscarriage and the usually hyper Marley instinctively calms down and gives Jennifer a shoulder to cry on.

"Marley & Me" is a predictable film. Just ask the kid sitting in front of us who put his arms up in triumph every time he correctly predicted the next plot point to his buddies. M. Night Shyamalan would be aghast at the utter absence of twists. But so what? It is a true story and a well executed film.

While Wilson and Aniston both perform admirably and believably, the star is Marley. And by Marley, of course, I mean the numerous puppies and dogs that played him. "Marley & Me" gives every dog owner the chance to walk down memory lane. I got to laugh at Marley chewing through drywall and remember how our second family dog ate an entire wooden door frame. Everybody's experience will be unique to their own version of life.

Except for the ending, of course. Dogs grow old quicker than seems fair. Owen Wilson shines during these last scenes, lying next to the elderly Marley once it becomes clear Marley is going to stay downstairs and sleep by the fire. The stairs are too much.

The final frames of "Marley & Me" conjure up memories too. I choked up just writing the beginning of this review. I choke up looking at our dog now, knowing she'll get old before I'm ready for her to.

But I also know that when it is all said and done, the vast majority of memories we get from our dogs are ones of joy.

"Marley & Me" was a pleasant reminder of that.

• Check out Carson's movie blog at www.juneaublogger.com/movies.