John is the author of the story and Marley’s owner. His narrative voice is casual and humorous, with occasional sarcasm. He works as a writer for a leading newspaper in Palm Beach at the beginning of the story, then leaves his position to take an editing role at a gardening magazine in Pennsylvania before returning to writing columns. He enjoys the freedom and flexibility of his writing work, the thrill of making a deadline, and the intrigue of searching for a new angle. He thrives on feedback from his readers. Reader responses to his column following Marley’s death are largely what persuade John to expand the article into this full-length book.

John realizes early on that Marley is not the ideal purebred Labrador, but he never considers letting Marley go. Even when Jenny goes through a difficult period of postpartum depression and reaches her limit with Marley’s behavior, John works with Marley to improve his training and avoid triggering Jenny’s anger. John admits his own role in letting Marley get away with his antics; he gives in to Marley’s whimpering on the very first night home from the breeder after letting Marley sit on his lap on the drive, immediately establishing him as a weak-willed master.