So in writing classes, they always say if you have unlikeable character to add a dog. This allows the reader to see a softer side of the character and as they care for the dog and subtly tells the reader the character isn’t all bad, because at least a dog loves them.

For those of you who have been on zoom meetings with me, you know that my cats regularly make an appearance...on the back of my chair, on my lap, walking on the keyboard etc. And you can often hear my dogs in the background as they trumpet my family’s arrival or departure or tell us about a strange leaf in the street.

Warehouse Dreams has Mr. Sparklebutt in it, as a way to humanize Kendle a bit and create tension between her and Daniel.

Rivercity Widows has Fluffy. Fluffy, which is actually named after my son’s cat, is a true character in the novel. Fluffy appears dramatically one night, creating a tension filled scene and is a helper throughout the book. His antics are not only amusing, but advance the plot.

What are your thoughts about pets in books? Are they a cute distraction from the plot or are you more likely to read a book with a pet in it?