Pets In Our Lives, Pets In Our Books

Friends and I were talking yesterday, teasing one friend because in all of her books either the hero or heroine has a dog. I like that. Showing a character who's sympathetic to cats or dogs adds a dimension to the person. A gruff man who befriends a scruffy dog lets the reader know that the guy is not as tough as he wants others to believe. To me, it makes him a more sympathetic character. For the heroine to have a pet makes her appear kinder and more nurturing to me. This is, of course, if the pets are well cared for. And I hate, hate, hate books where a pet dies. No, thanks. Don't want to read it. In Anna Jeffrey's next book, SWEET REVENGE, the heroine has a pet hen, Dulce. SWEET REVENGE will be out in December, and I can hardly wait to buy several--one for myself and others for gifts. In light of that, I was telling my critique group about my neighbor who raises rare hens that are beautiful--rusty red with soft bluish gray feathers, called a blue-red. "A beautiful chicken?" my city friend asked. "You have got to get out of the country!" LOL Hmph, well, they ARE beautiful--for hens.

No hens yet, but our pets are members of the family. Our dog died about a year ago, a lab/shepherd mix, at the age of sixteen. She was a sweetie and we miss her. Now we have three cats and a fish. Before long, we'll probably get another dog, rescuing one from the pound. I want a small one this time. A shitzu, toy poodle, yorkie, lasa apso size. One who can go with us when we travel by car so we won't have to board him/her. My critique partner in El Paso, Jeanmarie Hamilton, has a perfect, sweet dog named summer. Jeanmarie have a book out from Highland Press in 2008, SEDUCTION. She and Summer will no doubt be traveling then to booksignings.

Back to work. Have a good day.