Pets in novels!

[carole gill]

Not dogs sitting on keyboards (something my terrier loves doing), but pets within storylines of crime fiction.
I think they can add something. Someone (whose opinion I value highly) suggested it to me, and well--I tried it and I love it.
I think it adds to the characterizations. What do you guys think?
Those writers and readers--does it add to your enjoyment?
I'm not actually referring to furry protagonists who solve crime--sheep detectives and the like, I'm referring to storylines with a cast of human beings, one of whom has a pet or two.
And while we're at it, can you give me some examples of novels you've liked or haven't liked, wherein Rover or Snooky the cat is seen to be looking casually at crimescene photos or gratefully licking up a bowl of milk the crime-solving Detective has put down for her?

[John Boundy]

Hi Carole...Good choice of topics. My first work, Justice is Coming, has as its' only true life character, Calvin the Golden Retrevier. He was my best friend for thirteen and one half years before he passed. I couldn't imagine creating a fantasy world without him in it. In the story he provides critical support for the protagonist, Ernie Holmes at times that only a best friend could. I've been told that many readers enjoyed the connection between the two and reminded them of moments they would rather not share with other humans. So I have proof that a pet addition can be a good thing :o)

[carole gill]

Thanks so much John!
Love reading that. And I know what you mean.
I can understand about the special affection for Calvin. My two dogs and me, well! (there's a place for my husband, too--! )There is a special rapport. When I am tired and at the end of my tether, they just know and respond and have me smiling in a minute.
Thanks also for sharing that with me--about your own writing, well that proves what I believe too.
I'll have to check out Justice is coming!

[I. J. Parker]

Dogs and cats are a part of life. As long as they aren't featured in a cutesy way to please a certain group of gushing readers, I see nothing wrong with having them. However, if you plan on making them crime victims, you may expect flac from your fans.

[carole gill]

victims? never, I couldn't stand that.
And as for cute, not into that either.
And I guess because pets are so much apart of life, they should be present embellishing a story with realism. The more facets of reality we have in a novel, I suppose the more true it seems.
Thanks I.J.

[Jean Henry Mead]

I'm a dog lover and currently have two one-old-pups, so I like to add a canine to the storyline. In my current WIP, an 8-year-old German Sheppard named Bert saves my protagonist's life by leaping onto his back and knocking him onto a concrete basement floor. My favorite Dean Koontz book (can't recall the title) featured Einstein, a golden retriever who spelled out words and sentences with letter tiles.

In my first senior sleuth novel, my protagonist's sidekick is terrified of cats, which provides a good deal of humor. (Shirl Lock & Holmes).

[carole gill]

sounds terrifice, thanks!
I have two insane terriers. loving but NUTS!
i added a cat into my storyline and I like it. I can bring out things about my tough guy character more easily. He's rarely home so I chose a cat.
Can't recall that Koontz book either. Seize the Night he has a dog, too--but I think it's black.
when you have a minute stop by MyPage and look at the video of the puppies our dogs had last August. you'll love it as a dog lover!
ps I love when dogs save people in books and film! have since I was a child.

[carole gill]

What don't you know?!
Thanks so much! Unleashes, very good!

[carole gill]

Nah, that's because they're teens! It's like the saying, "the older I became the smarter my parents were!"

[Jean Henry Mead]

You're right, Margot. It was The Watchers and the hideous beast in the research lab was a monster dog bent on destroying Einstein. Loved that book and I wish Koontz would write another one about the Golden Retriever.

[Dawn M. Kravagna]

I loved The Watchers, also. The scene where the baboon is holding the Mickey Mouse Disney tape at the end was heart breaking. And that opening scene where Einstein keeps trying to warn the guy that danger is coming and he's too dense to figure it out: very exciting! Few novels have gripped me emotionally as that one did. Koontz has written other novels with goldies, but that one was his best so far that I've read--in my opinion, of course.

[Dawn M. Kravagna]

I loved The Watchers, also. The scene where the baboon is holding the Mickey Mouse Disney tape at the end was heart breaking. And that opening scene where Einstein keeps trying to warn the guy that danger is coming and he's too dense to figure it out: very exciting! Few novels have gripped me emotionally as that one did. Koontz has written other novels with goldies, but that one was his best so far that I've read--in my opinion, of course.

[Dawn M. Kravagna]

I'd like to add that I read Koontz' books because of the golden retriever characters. Usually the only modern times novels I'll read have animals in them. Otherwise, I tend to read historical mysteries.