Beloved Pets in Literature

Handsome Cosmo (photo by L. Walkins, 2010)

Every morning, our two cats and our dog, greet the new day with enthusiasm.  Cosmo, Emily and Princess (our shih tzu, also known as Fluffy Head) bring us much joy.  They are important members of our family.

Beloved pets can be just as important in literature.  In Forget-Me-Not, my character, Darcy Seton, shares her home with a personable Cavalier King Charles spaniel.  i enjoyed writing the scenes of Darcy spending time with her happy little pup.  I also like to read about dogs and cats.  Animal stories have an endearing charm.  In my reading over the years, I have encountered many memorable and appealing literary pets . . .

The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith: This charming novel is one of my favorite children’s books. It became a literary classic long before Walt Disney transformed it into a popular animated feature. The dalmatians, Pongo and Missus, who set out into the English countryside to rescue their kidnapped puppies, are courageous and resourceful.  I love the scenes on Primrose Hill when they join the twilight barking to gather news about their missing children.

Murder Past Due by Miranda James: Charlie Harris, a college librarian and his Maine Coon cat become involved in a murder mystery when a famous writer who has returned to his hometown, is found dead in his hotel room.  As Charlie gathers clues, Diesel, the cat, impresses everyone in town with his immense size, his larger-than-life personality and his devotion to Charlie.

Flowers in the Rain & Other Stories by Rosamunde Pilcher: I often wish I could live in a  Rosamunde Pilcher story. Her sensible characters, friendly villages and Scottish landscapes make me smile. Her stories and novels, often set in the country also feature many animals, including a faithful sheep dog named Loden in her story, “The Doll’s House.”  Loden provides comfort to his distraught young master, William, who has been frustrated in his attempt to build a doll’s house for his little sister.  Pilcher, in her customary insightful manner, perfectly portrays the relationship between a boy and his dog.

Paw Prints in the Moonlight by Denis O’Connor: The author,  a British university professor, ventures out into a snowy Northumberland evening to rescue a homeless, new-born kitten.  He tenderly nurses the cat and it grows up to become his beloved companion.  This heartfelt story about how a unique feline changed one man’s life is captivating and inspiring.

Princess says, “Peek-a-boo!” (photo by L. Walkins, 2012)

The Dog Who Came in from the Cold by Alexander McCall Smith: Part of the Corduroy Mansions series, this witty and entertaining novel takes place in London and features a cast of quirky and amusing characters, including a small dog named Freddie de la Hay.  Pimlico resident, William French’s dog, is unexpectedly recruited by the MI6,  The intrepid terrier turned informant helps the authorities to break up a Russian spy ring.  In his  usual engaging style, McCall Smith includes many humorous insights into the perils and pleasures of city life, and the chapters told in the dog’s point-of-view are particularly amusing.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling: The students at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are allowed to bring a magical pet with them to school.  Harry’s owl, Hedwig, is perhaps the most well-known, but my favorite Gryffindor pet is Hermione’s cranky cat, Crookshanks.  Although the ginger long,-haired feline appears in volumes three through seven of the series, he plays the most pivotal role in Prisoner of Azkaban, helping Hermione, Harry and Ron to solve a mystery surrounding the death of Harry’s parents.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein: Denny Swift, an ambitious race car driver, faces a personal crisis just as his career is about to take off.  The author writes convincingly in the point-of-view of  Denny’s faithful dog, Enzo.  While waiting to be taken to the vet for a final visit, the much-loved pet tells his master’s story and reflects back on their  life together. Enzo, who is convinced he will come back as a person in his next life. is a compassionate and insightful narrator.

Lovely Emily (photo by L. Walkins, 2013)

Like these literary cats and dogs, my pets, have their own unique personalities and they keep us laughing.  Perhaps, I will write about them in my next story or novel!