Marmaduke has passed out in his owner's lap, prompting a houseguest to comment that having an enormous dog capable of fully immobilizing you just by napping on you must be a "pain in the neck." Marmaduke's owner agrees with this, but qualifies that he is a "sweet pain in the neck," indicating that she has made peace with her decision to care for a hulking canine monstrosity who has no concept of her needs or well-being.