Puppies and Kittens – oh may! Today is National Puppy Day, and even though some of us don’t have a puppy or we prefer cats to dogs, just the thought of those precious little balls of fur makes us smile.
For hospitalized loved ones, a visit from a dog or a cat can elevate their spirit. Many people suffering from anxiety, PTSD, or a disability often have therapy pets which offer companionship and an emotional boost.
In writing, some of us incorporate a pet into the lives of our characters to make audiences or readers empathize with that character.
According to Blake Snyder, author of Save The Cat, book on screenwriting, writers can use a “Save the Cat” moment to help increase a character’s likeability in the eyes audiences by having the character save a pet or take a moment to pet an animal.
Think Sigourney Weaver, as Ellen Ripley, remembering to save the tabby cat in the movie Alien; and her continued relationship with the same cat in the movie’s sequel, Aliens. Her tough woman persona is softened by her attention to such a helpless animal during live and death moments.
John Wick and the beagle puppy from his dead wife. Robert Neville’s (Will Smith’s) German shepherd in, I Am Legend. Dorothy and Toto in The Wizard of Oz. Eddie the terrier in the TV show, Frasier, who brought love and angst to many of the show characters.
Anti-heroes and villains have also been featured with pets.
Think Vin Diesel’s anti-hero character, Riddick, with the jackal in the movie, The Chronicles of Riddick. Yes, he used the doglike creature as a guinea pig to test the possibility of surviving Mud Demon venom, but he showed his affection for the dog in numerous scenes as it grew older and when it was killed by Santana while saving Riddick’s life.
There’s Dr. Evil with his hairless cat, Mr. Bigglesworth, in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, mirroring James Bond’s foe, Blofeld, with his Angora cat, Oliver. There’s Vito Corleone in, The Godfather, holding his cat, Cannoli. The Grinch and his dog Max, in How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
It not prerequisite to have a pet or a pet scene in all your stores. It’s a technique you can use to humanize a tough guy/gal character. Or to highlight the emotional nature of a character afflicted by trauma or one that is disabled.
Just a few thoughts swirling around in my head as I celebrate National Puppy Day with my own puppies here at home.
Enjoy a moment with you pet today!
