Let’s discuss pets in novels. I’ll confess: I have a number of pets. My home office is pretty much a veritable land mine of dog toys and rawhide in various states of softness and mastication. When I write, there is usually some creature lying at my feet. Though I’m sure that they’re secretly conspiring to stage an epic adventure that will end with all of them growing opposable thumbs and hence no longer having to rely on me to open bags of treats.
This pet-friendly household made me think of the wonderful pets that show up in some of my favorite stories — pets who can serve as loyal sidekicks, sly confidants or unintentional catalysts to a hero’s quest. Be it a purring cat, a magical owl, a noble horse, a mystical dragon—whatever the genre, there’s just something about having some kind of animal companion in novels that helps ground and bring a story to life.
My animal inventory, since you didn’t ask:
- Copper Bopper: sweetest dog in the world (I’m sure of it) and also a chocolate lab
- Izzy Dizzy: very light Chihuahua I sometimes drain entire cups of coffee with
- Maximus (Max) Cuteness: large male striped, American Shorthair cat with a great personality
- Luna Luv Da Tuna: mostly white cat, with a bit of Siamese, who is just terrible at being a cat (noisy, almost blind, never buries her poop)
Copper is by far my favorite. They can’t read, so it’s OK to write that.” I don’t have a favorite child & love them equally, as far as they know.
Fantasy: The Magnificent (and Occasionally Mischievous) Menagerie
While reading high fantasy, I’m constantly searching for otherworldly critters that could be good pets. Dragons normally steal the show (boring), but it’s the sidekick creatures that truly warm my dog-loving heart. Look at the direwolves in A Song of Ice and Fire — loyal, fierce and (let’s be real) essentially giant versions of the fluffball snoring next to me. These noble companions become bonded to the Stark children and help define their identities in so many ways. If that’s not evidence of how pets mold and direct us, I don’t know what is.”
And then, of course, there’s Hedwig from the Harry Potter series. A snowy owl, yes, but still a pet, and when she’s constantly at Harry’s side (or resting on his shoulder) it reminds me of how my own pup insists on being by my side for everything from yard work to Netflix marathons.
You can’t help but love a faithful companion — even one without a wagging tail.
Now, let’s tackle the subject of fantasy itself, because I want to say about D&D that a ranger’s animal companion, and a wizard’s familiars, aren’t talked about enough. Given that they are usually the focus of some orc or goblin, and so provide a significant distraction to the owner, they should prove far more useful and effective. As a longtime DM, I can tell you that nothing grabs the player’s attention quite like telling them how some evil beast they’re fighting has decided to start attacking their beloved pet.
Mystery & Crime: Detectives With Four Legs
Pets in mysteries are the unsung heroes. I mean, Sherlock Holmes had Toby, his trusty hound, to sniff out clues. Too bad the pup never got top billing.
In contemporary cozy mysteries, there is often a cat who serves as sidekick, whose only detective ability is to appear wherever the clue appears. But let’s be honest, dogs are not as subtle. The moment a clue has a whiff of bacon about it, then it’s all snacks on deck and the whole crime-solving scheme is thrown out the window.
Romance: Jack of All Trades, Masters of Everything
Part of the romance novel formula is the presence of adorable pets who act as matchmakers or seconds. Who can say no to the meet-cute where our couple’s forced into a conversation because a muddy pup bounds up to introduce itself? Or the cat that “accidentally” jumps into the handsome stranger’s lap at a café?
Pets in romance are the embodiment of unconditional love: exactly what we’re all looking for in these stories. Also, my dogs’ greatest aspiration in life (besides catching squirrels) is to see me happy. If that isn’t the heart of a romance novel, I don’t know what is.
Contemporary & Literary Fiction: What you find out in between
In contemporary literature, pets lend an air of grounded reality to the proceedings. Whether it’s a cat lounging on a windowsill (for instant perfect Instagram material) or a rambunctious puppy who knocks over the food bowl every morning, these small moments make the characters feel real.
I once read a novel about a golden retriever who dragged around a stuffed duck named “Quackers.” It was such a small detail, but it brought to life a warm, concrete image. I couldn’t help but see my late first dog, Willie, in that imaginary companion — and that sense of recognition immediately further enriched the story.
Sci-Fi & Beyond: Space-Based Hair Balls
And let’s not exclude the wondrous realm of science fiction. Futuristic pledge pets can range from genetically engineered “super-dogs” (whose poop comes out pre-bagged!) to robotic cats that never shed or scratch. Hi buddy furball, even in outer space, can be the most comforting presence in the transitional chaos of outer space. They’re a reminder of home, loyalty, and the soft side of humanity — however advanced our spaceship might be.
As a dog owner, I would personally vote for interstellar canines that are able to sniff out alien artifacts.
Why Writers Worship Pets in Stories (and Why They Can’t Resist Them)
- Emotional Anchor – Pets make us feel for characters. If a person is nice to animals we would be more inclined to trust them, no?
- Comic Relief—Is there anything funnier than a devil-may-care dog running through a formal dinner party in a Victorian novel? I think not.
- Characterization – How a character treats an animal can tell us a lot about them as a person.
- Plot Devices – Pet disappears? That’s an instant quest. Pet sniff out a clue or guide the main character to a secret location? Voilà, a new twist.
After all, no matter what your favorite genre, whether it’s a sweeping fantasy epic, a gritty detective novel, a steamy romance, a gut-wrenching literary endeavor, pets can steal the show with just a single wag of the tail or perfectly timed meow.
If I’ve learned anything from books, it’s the ability of nonhumans to make life fuller, funnier, and more heartfelt. They are more than plot props; they are mirrors that reflect our best and worst selves. For those of us who have dogs, we’re well aware of that look of unwavering devotion when we walk in the door — as if we’re the main character in some grand, epic tale. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that feeling captured on the page?
So here’s to every four-legged (or feathered or scaly, I guess) companion who’s ever padded across the pages of a novel. May they continue to dazzle us, test us and remind us that sometimes all we really need to help make life’s biggest adventures feel a bit less daunting is a faithful companion — and a belly rub or chin scratch.
P.S. I nearly called this post “Heavy Petting in Your Story,” but that didn’t quite stick. Too bad.
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