No Fur or Feather Babies
By Lois Winston
When I was asked to write a cozy mystery series, I knew I should include a pet. Cozy readers love books with pets, especially dogs or cats. Sometimes the pet is even an integral part of helping to solve the mystery. I also have many friends who write cozy mysteries, and most of them are pet owners.
I’m the outlier. I don’t have a fur baby. Instead, I have allergies. Allergies to just about all pets. At least the kind you can pet, cuddle, and play with. Tropical fish would probably be safe, but I consider those pretty things to watch swimming around rather than pets. If it has fur or feathers, I need to steer clear, and chances are, I’d probably also have issues with amphibians and reptiles. I’m even allergic to certain people—or at least to some of the grooming products they use.
I used to have pets. When I was a teenager, we had a dog. I walked around sneezing and coughing and suffering with horrible sinus headaches for several years until I left for college. Once I had my own apartment, I tried kittens. What was I thinking? The headaches, sneezing, and coughing returned with a vengeance.
When my kids were young, we got them a pair of gerbils. Even though I stayed far away from the cage, I still suffered.
So, unfortunately, I remain petless. My protagonist in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries is far from petless, though. Not only does Anastasia’s household include her mother-in-law’s French bulldog Mephisto and occasionally Catherine the Great, her mother’s Persian cat, but Anastasia has also inherited her great-aunt Penelope Periwinkle’s African Grey parrot.
However, Ralph is no ordinary parrot. Having spent most of his life in Great-aunt Penelope’s classroom, listening to lectures on the works of William Shakespeare, Ralph possesses a unique talent. He has the uncanny ability to squawk situation-appropriate quotes from the Bard of Avon.
Is this even possible? Some African Greys do have huge vocabularies, but even though I’ve read up on the species, I’m no parrot expert. It doesn’t matter, though. I write fiction, humorous fiction. If readers can suspend their disbelief enough to accept a protagonist who stumbles across more murders than the average cop in an entire law enforcement career, why not a Shakespeare-quoting parrot?
Ralph is also very protective of his adoptive family. I hope you’ll check out how he proves his worth in Guilty as Framed, the 11th book in my humorous Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series.
~*~
USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Learn more about Lois and her books at her website www.loiswinston.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter and follow her on various social media sites.
I find parrots fascinating! Great idea, including one in your book. Sounds like a fun read!
I find parrots fascinating. Great idea including one in your book. Sounds like a great read!
Thanks, Lynn! Ralph is definitely fun to write, and it increases my Shakespearean knowledge. 😉
I’m drawn in by pets, and pets serve as characters in my books, as well. I’m smiling about your Ralph. My Detective Parrott has a cockatiel named Horace, who adds frivolity and fun (and sometimes meaning) to scenes. Perhaps we should have a Ralph-Horace “play date” sometime soon.
Consider it a date, Saralyn!
Great posting! I’ve written about dogs, horses, crows (who can also learn a few phrases) and falcons in my novels. I always enjoy having “pets or companions” in my stories, since like you, I have allergies and cannot have pets in the house.
Thanks for commenting, Kathryn!
Pets are complicated to write – especially if you don’t any of them. I like how you talk about the reader suspending belief, but I think the author owes it to the reader, much as you indicate, to get the basics right — and then let the reader embellish the pet within the framework of their own experiences.
Yes, you definitely need to do your research, Debra, especially if you don’t own any pets.
Ha, I love that you live vicariously through your protagonist. I think many of us make our protagonists something we are not. Great post, Lois.
Thanks, Donnell!
We grew up with cats, but as soon as I moved out, I developed allergies. I adore Ralph.
That’s so strange, Dru! You’d think you would have built up an immunity. Thanks for loving Ralph! He said to tell you he loves you back.
Ralph always makes me laugh. A perfect pet!
You’ve got to love virtual pets, Gay. All the joys, none of the poop to scoop! 😉
Yes on pets. Sydney in my Sydney Lockhart series owns a sweet poodle and an ornery cat.
Kate in my Kate Caraway series owns a rescue greyhound named Kenya.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Kathleen.
I have used pets in some of my books but I like them to have a purpose in the story, more than a distraction for the main character or a time filler while she struggles with a problem. To my surprise I developed allergies in my 50s, which included allergies to pets after having grown up with them. I’m told this is common, but certainly annoying.
Susan, my husband was in his thirties when he developed his seasonal allergies. He claims he caught them from me! 😉
Whew—certainly a dilemma! I write cozies also, but so far, my MC does not have a pet. A recurring character will have a guide dog in upcoming books, so it’s been a lot of fun researching what kind of dog to give him. I love how you included an unconventional pet in your stories! I have a sweet and goofy boxer mix at home, but I’ve also (surprisingly) really loved owning hermit crabs as well. Yes, they do have personalities! Maybe my MC might get some sweet little crabbies in a future story…
Ashley-Ruth, you’ve certainly expanded my knowledge with your comment. Who knew hermit crabs had personalities? Thanks for stopping by and commenting.