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And for the cat lovers (because I don't want anyone to feel left out)...
Have a great day!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Pets in Romance Novels (and other fiction)
The other day, the topic of dogs in novels came up (with the stipulation that it couldn't be a sad book), and while I could name a few romance novels I'd enjoyed that had dogs in them, (Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart and Lucy March, Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer, to name a few), I had trouble remembering all the books I had written with dog characters.
Well, that's not exactly true. There's a dog on the cover of Prince Charming's Return and I distinctly remember writing the beginning scene of Angel Eyes, where the heroine is talking to her dog (and the scene in The Black Knight's Bride, where the hero is talking to his dog), mostly because I've gotten in trouble for having my characters have conversations with their pets before (not necessarily those two books, but once you have someone chide you for that, you think of that criticism every time you do it). Still, I love pets in books, so...I let that type of criticism roll off my back and I persist.
So, what books have you read that had dogs in them (or pets in them) that you especially liked or ones where you felt that the pet added something important to the story? For today, let's keep it to fiction (because yes, I sobbed my way through Marley and Me, too, but I'm looking for books where dogs or other pets are...not real).
What's your decision? Yes on pets or no? Or doesn't it matter? (And do you have a problem with people talking to their animals as if they understand them? I'm curious).
Last of all, do you have pets of your own? (I don't, although I did have a dog when I was growing up and might someday have one again).
And for the cat lovers (because I don't want anyone to feel left out)...
Have a great day!
And for the cat lovers (because I don't want anyone to feel left out)...
Have a great day!
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I actually can't recall any books I have read with dogs in them, or cats for that matter. Chances are they were there but my focus was on the people.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
I enjoyed Kandy Shepherd's HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS (and am looking forward to buying/reading her previous book, LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD). Animals were depicted realistically (at least in my opinion) in this romance.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't have a problem with people talking to dogs as if they understand them - because I do it all the time! I am currently dogsitting a 14-year-old golden retriever named Austin. He is deaf, very arthritic, but oh so intelligent. He was trained as a seeing-eye dog but failed because he was too friendly. When he goes for walks, he is known as "Mr. Meet and Greet". He rarely barks, but if he does, there's a reason. If he wakes up, stands up, and stares at me, I know he has to go outside. If I'm on the phone and ignore him a bit, he walks to the door and waits for me. If that doesn't work, he barks once. Oh yes. He has me trained!
I had two small dogs growing up and would love my own dog now, but alas, my husband is allergic to most dogs (but not Austin, even though he sheds a lot). We could NOT afford Austin, though, as his drugs, special foods, and vet bills cost thousands a year - so we enjoy dogsitting several times a year while his retired owners go on long trips. We all win - especially Austin, as he hates kennels with a passion.
Mary, that's why I can't remember the pets in my books after the fact. I had fun writing them, but I'm so focused on the love story that later everything else is a blur.
ReplyDeleteElaine, I've put Kandy Shepherd on my "to try" list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAustin's story is so sweet! (And I love his name, too). I did a lot of research on service dogs for Blind Attraction (oops, there's another book I'd forgotten about) and, fortunately, I knew a writer who trained guide dogs. The whole topic fascinates me.
That's so nice that you get to visit with and take care of Austin now and then. What a win-win situation!
Okay, I'm expanding this to include more than just Romance novels. (That certainly opens the door)! I'm still reading Dewey, so can't comment on that one yet.
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know you were criticized for it. I put pets in my first three books - a cats in Cinderella Bride and Beauty and the Brooding Boss and a weiner dog in my Sept release. In a category romance, where secondary characters are limited, having a four legged confident makes sense. It also makes sense on a personal level since I spend the majority of my solo time talking to my two cats and dog.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, as for authors who use animals that I love, I'll just say two words: Kristin Higgins.
Great post Myrna!
I love books with pets. Virginia Kantra had a Scottish Deerhound in one of her titles. Sea Lord, perhaps? I loved that dog so much!
ReplyDeleteI put animals in my books all the time. My RITA finalist has a dog, a Siberian Husky named Denali. Many of my stories have cats so many I've lost count. Two of the cats have belonged to heroes. A third one is coming out in July where the hero takes in a stray kitten.
One of the reasons I love Jennifer Cruisie's books so much is because of the dogs.
ReplyDeleteI have two dogs (One I am convinced is a coyote pretending to be a dog) and three cats.
In Seducing St. Nic, one of my biggest characters is a cat name Duchess, who is based on and named after my own cat Toussaint, aka Duchess.
Why would anyone criticize you for putting a dog in your books? Dogs are man's best friend, it seems only right they'd be in a book about one of man's greatest journeys, falling in love. *hugs* I'm sorry who ever criticized you did that. Just know this reader definitely loves reading about dogs and cats. And all pets.
I love all the new books I'm hearing about. My Amazon list is growing!
ReplyDeleteEmma, I wasn't criticized for having a dog in the books but for having my heroines talk to their dogs as if they were human. I don't know. It just seems natural to me. Why wouldn't you talk to a dog (or any other pet, for that matter) when they look at you with those big, soulful eyes? You just know that while they may not understand your words, they're definitely keying in on your mood.
At any rate, it was a long time ago, and the editor in question has been out of the business for some time or I wouldn't be discussing this here. LOL I just assumed that she had never had a pet and that readers would understand. I continue to put dogs in my books (and one cat so far in The Frenchman's Plain Jane Project). Pets reveal so much about your characters.
Now, I'm off to add books to my wish list!
Ooooooh! Seriously? I have full conversations with my dogs and cats. And dogs I've just barely met.
ReplyDeletePets are people too! LOL at least they are to me.
In Seducing St. Nic my heroine not only talks to her cat but they even have an argument. I'm almost sure Duchess won that one.
Oh what cute pics! I just love animals... I have read a few books with pets, mostly dogs as characters... to me they do add something to a book... they have unique personalities too and I love to see them come to life in a story. Most resent book I read with dogs was Nora Roberts' The Search.
ReplyDeleteI loved marley n me! So sweet but sad.
ReplyDeleteHollybwright at comcast dot net
Colleen, I'll have to read the Nora Roberts' book (not sure I haven't. I'm awful with remembering titles).
ReplyDeleteHolly, I know. I loved Marley, but I put off reading it for a long time, because I knew it would be sad. Totally worth it, though.
And if anyone hasn't read The Art of Racing in the Rain, that's excellent, too.
I think stories need to have animals in them...gee where would Mr and Mrs North be without Asta or Dorothy and Toto or any number of characters who have a companion pet. I've almost always had a dog in my life...right now it is a Jack Russell terrier named Willie. They can add a lot to a person's life.
ReplyDeleteJoye, you make a good point about animals in books. I have so many favorites (and yes, Toto is one of them).
ReplyDeleteStay- Allie Larkin
ReplyDeleteThe Guardian-Nicholas Sparks (Okay, this one is a sad one...)
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I haven't read either of those, so I'll check those out.
Looking for dog books to read because I'm on vacation and miss my dog, and just found this post. I've only been a dog owner for 5 months, but I talk to my dog like a person all the time. It is very normal, she's my baby!
ReplyDeleteGail, I totally understand! When your dog turns those big sad eyes on you, how can you not want to talk to him (or her)?
ReplyDelete