J.D. Robb discussion

Galahad entered the series unconventionally (Eve found him at the scene of his murdered owner) and he sealed his position in the family by helping to save Eve’s life. But what if he’d been a dog? Would he work as effectively in Eve & Roarke’s life? Might there be more cuteness moments? Would the faithfulness of pooches be better for this couple?

What say you...Galahad could only be a cat or were there missed precious moments because he isn’t a dog?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one! lol Build your case!

Good question. I love my dogs and cat. I'll need to think about this a little.

I don't think he would have worked as a dog. The 1st reason that Eve and Roarke are far to busy to care for a dog, even with Summerset's help. I can't picture Eve liking a small dog and I don't see Summerset liking a large, perhaps smelly running around their beautiful house.I also think the fact that a chubby cat and not a big dog helped save Eve makes him a more unique/ special pet ( just right for a unique/special couple). There is something really sweet in those times when Eve has worked herself to exhaustion, finally passes out in bed and Roarke finds Galahad asleep on top of her. I don't think those scenes would work as well with a dog. I'm also picturing the scene in New York to Dallas when Dr Mira goes to Dallas and brings the cat with her. I picture Eve standing in that hotel room holding onto Galahad saying"He brought me the cat" and for me it just doesn't work as well if it's a dog. The Galahad attempting to steal food scenes and plopping down to clean when caught wouldn't be as funny with a dog. In my humble opinion, Galahad being a cat was the right choice!

Galahad as a dog would never work. A dog requires 156% of your time. A dog need to be walk,every day, sometime 3 or 4 time a day. You have to feed them everyday and you have to play with them. Dog are very depending on you. Cat you give them a litter box, a box of food, and warm bed and some toys and they are happy. Eve does not have time for a dog. And one of those little rat dog will never work. Eve would
shoot it.

I agree that Galahad wouldn't work as a dog. Dogs are a lot more work than cats and with both of their schedules it wouldn't be as feasible.

I think the cat is perfect for Eve as it is low maintenance!!! LOL

I am a dog person - always have been. And of course I have one. But for Eve & Roarke I think only a cat would do. If you have a dog, you both know that you're the owner. With cats, you both know that you are on staff....the cat's staff. I've lost count all the times Galahad has let Eve & sometimes Roarke know how he feels about things. I think he's the purrfect pet for both of them.

I think Galahad as cat works best for one reason - attitude. It's all about the attitude. He slinks in and out as he pleases. Allows them to pet him as he pleases. With cats, humans are "allowed" to exist in their world if it pleases them. I love dogs, but a dog just doesn't have that same attitude. lol However, I'd love to see Roarke with a dog also...there's something "manly" about a man and his dog. haha

I see Galahad as only a cat and in a way, his personality is a reflection of Eve. He likes to eat all manner of food that is probably not the healthiest for him. He has attitude and takes no sh*t from anyone but is as loyal as you can get.

Mdy wrote: "I am a dog person - always have been. And of course I have one. But for Eve & Roarke I think only a cat would do. If you have a dog, you both know that you're the owner. With cats, you both know th..."
Exactly, cats have staff. That nails it. Galahad has them trained and Sommerset too. I am biased being a cat owner but I remember from my elementary school days how much work dogs are. Love the pups but they are high maintenance. A dog would pine for them and with their schedules, it wouldn't work.
Galahad sounds like cats I have met and he's purrfect for this series.

I so agree with all of you. It had to be a cat. Nothing else would have worked.

The only way I see a dog being part of this is if they have kids running around. More a family situation (which I know isn't in the cards). Mavis in their new home yes.

Galahad as a dog

Here is why I think Galahad could work as a dog. Yes! Roarke and Eve are very busy, however Summerset is home most days. This is more than many working couples who own dogs have. He is a man who took in a boy off the street, gave him a home, and tons of love. He would not allow a dog to be homeless. In all fairness, Summerset takes care of the cat more than Eve or Roarke.

Anyone who has a dog knows that they can be left at home alone for extended periods of time. When I lived in Pennsylvania and worked in downtown Baltimore, my workday was 10 to 12 hours or more. My dog never had an accident.

Roarke has house droids; if he can’t program one to feed, train, and walk the dog, he can manufacture one that does. If he can program droids to kick box or fight until Eve pummels them into oblivion, walking a dog is a no brainer.

Regarding dogs stinking, there is nothing more odoriferous than a litter box. I know. I clean my cat’s. If I don’t clean it every other day the cat will “miss” the box and do his business on the floor nearby. They know how to make their “owner” submit. Christian Grey can take pointers from a cat.

Roarke owns his own planes and hotels. If he wants to bring a dog on his plane, who is going to tell him no. The same for the hotel. If Roarke wanted to bring a dog to his hotel for Eve, who is going to object? Not an employee who wants to keep his/her job.

As far as giving comfort, many studies show that dogs are good at sniffing out pain, grief, anxiety, cancer, etc. I can tell you from experience, if I’m sick or depressed, my dogs will curl up around me until I feel better. They don’t stink and they give unconditional love and protection. Speaking of protection, there is a reason the police have canine units and not feline units.

The only reason Galahad is a cat is because he was introduced in book one, Naked In Death. The ending would need to be different if Galahad was a dog. A dog would warn Eve as soon as she walked in the door that someone was there, if he let Rockman in at all. Rockman would never get the jump on Eve which would have changed the whole story.

We needed Roarke to take Eve home with him. Eve didn’t know that she had a loving heart at that point. She didn’t want to love Roarke so she couldn’t count on having one of his droids to help her when she was on-call or working late. She definitely didn’t trust Summerset to help her with anything.

In conclusion, Galahad could be a dog if, and only if, he was introduced any time after Naked.

Wow, Sharon. I'm impressed. Great insight...and I have to agree. I clearly didn't give this case enough attention. You make fantastic points and back them up. Way to build your case!

Wow Sharon. That is truly a great case for a dog.

Impressive! Were you on the debate team Sharon?

Karma Queen wrote: "Impressive! Were you on the debate team Sharon?"

I went to Catholic school from 1st to 12th grade and for my Masters. We had debate assignments forever. In high school we had to debate all the time and the nuns told us our position then we had to make the case.

I also went to a catholic schools. Glad the South African one never did that to us.

Sharon wrote: "Galahad as a dog

Here is why I think Galahad could work as a dog. Yes! Roarke and Eve are very busy, however Summerset is home most days. This is more than many working couples who own dogs have. ..."

Bravo, Sharon, for making the case for a dog!

This has been the liveliest discussion so far. You all have made great cases for your positions.

Sharon, I love all of your points! After reading your discussion, I can definitely see Galahad has a dog, laying at Eve's feet while she works on a case, licking her hand when she's sad, and attempting to steal scraps from the table.

Such interesting thoughts!