Animals: What’s Your Purr-fect Companion?

I know. It’s a corny title, but it suits this post.

As I passed SplatCat Rascal on the landing today, and having only moments before finished reading Shani Struther’s The Haunting of Highdown Hall, I got to thinking about the use of animals and pets in novels.

In Shani’s story, I met Jed, a dog. He is a wonderful companion to the heroine, Ruby, and I confess, I formed an attachment to him from the off. As writers, we know everything we put into a novel must have a purpose – to move the story forward, give insight into our characters, cause and/or resolve conflict, set the scene – and Jed has a purpose. You’ll have to read the wonderful book to find out what, but he’s not there for his cuteness alone.

Declan, my hero in Truth or Dare?, has a cat called Toto. As much as Toto would have loved a major role, he was written in for three small, but significant reasons: to show the hero’s caring nature, to illustrate to the reader Declan possesses the ability to form attachments, and to act as Declan’s confidant. Declan talks to Toto and shares with him his innermost thoughts. I do it all the time with Daisy and Rascal …

In my work-in-progress, What Doesn’t Kill You, Griff Hendry, the male protagonist, has an old English sheepdog. Why have I written a dog into the story? My hero is a man who needs a dog. Without Ozzy, Griff feels incomplete. They’ve been together for a few years and they are best buds. Sometimes Ozzy is the only one who responds to Griff. Sometimes Ozzy is the only member of the family Griff totally understands. Ozzy never criticises, never moans and is always happy to see his master, but the old English sheepdog is the one who, albeit unwittingly, compels Griff to give serious consideration to his strongly-held beliefs.

What have animals brought to your novel? What’s your favourite book where the animal is the main character?

And yes, before you ask, Black Beauty made me cry.

Follow Me, Follow You, my new paperback with Choc Lit, has no animals … wait a minute … Did I hear a baa?

Take care.

Laura x

 

 

For more photos of SplatCat Rascal and friends, please follow me on Pinterest. The Board is called Mad Cats and Englishmen.