When You Talk to the Animals

By Maureen Bonatch 

Does your pet talk to you? Mine does. Well, at least I think he does. I not only spend much of my day talking to him when I’m home alone, I also occasionally answer for him. I’m not referring to Zoolingualism, or imitating animal sounds (although he does seem to try to occasionally send me mental messages). I mean I act as if he is answering as a person would. Well, a small, furry, person. 

Some part of me thinks I know what he has to say. Unfortunately for Scruff, he can’t really confirm that the responses I provide for him are accurate. Instead he stares silently at me with his big, brown eyes desperately trying to give me a message (or wondering why his Mom is so…odd). 

I can probably safely assume that the majority of the time that message is that he’d like another treat, or that he wants to go outside. But I’ve taken it upon myself to imagine that he has much more to say if he could only convey it in more than pointed stares and huffs (he’s not much of a barker). 

 I’ve found that if I mention this to others who have pets that they often agree that they talk to their pets. I don’t always ask if they answer for them as well. 

I’ve also taken the liberty of providing my tiny dog that has been noted to resemble a stuffed animal with a deep, masculine voice with a little bit of a southern accent. Why? That I can’t answer. I guess he kind of gave me the impression that since he’s a little guy with a lot of attitude who is terrified of almost everything—including the occasional leaf if it touches him—that he’d want to portray a tough image. I also assume he’d never forgive me if I gave him a high, squeaky voice to accompany his fuzzy cuteness that often gets him mistaken for a girl. 

The southern accent? I have no idea. It just came to me as part of his ‘character’. Speaking of characters, mine always come with a pet or animal sidekick. Often I base the character of the animal, and sometimes the name, on animals I know, or have known. 

A few include: 

• Evil Speaks Softly- Mozart (dog) 
• Destiny Calling- Tercet (cat) 
• That Magic Moment- Juniper (cat) 

I’ve taken this relationship a step further with my upcoming paranormal cozy mysteries and provided the ability for my character to communicate with her pet, and that the animal can actually communicate back—magic has it's benefits! I’ll share more about these stories in the coming months. 

 So tell me, do you talk to your pets? If so, do they answer back? 

 P.S.- I’m teaching an online Self-Care Course for Fantasy, Future & Paranormal (FF&P)- Romance Writers in April - Find out more info and sign up right here  

I may not be able to offer you the ability to do magic, but spending more time taking care of ourselves can certainly feel pretty magical.

 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. 

Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Favorite Books about Animals and Pets

Since the theme this month is pets, I’ve looked back at some books that are about pets and working animals.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (30 March 1820- 25 April 1878)

As a teenager, Anna Sewell fell and damaged both her ankles. She never fully recovered, and always had difficulty walking. In Black Beauty, her only novel, the title character ‘breaks his knees’ after a fall, perhaps mirroring Anna’s own suffering.

Black Beauty, which raised awareness of the treatment of horses during the 19^th century, has been called ‘the most influential anticruelty novel of all time’. Anna died only a few months after its publication.

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford (11 May 1918--20 April 1984)

I guess most of us know this story of three pets—a bull terrier, Labrador retriever and Siamese cat—who travel 300 miles through Canada searching for their owners. Who doesn’t love a story of endurance, companionship and battling the odds?

In 1963 the book won two awards: the ALA Aurianne Award and the Book of the Year for Children Award. Two movies have been made thirty years apart. The first in 1963, the second in 1993 as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (3 October 1916--23 February 1995)

Born James Alfred Wight, Herriot chose his pen name after seeing Scottish goal keeper Jim Herriot play soccer. James, a vet by trade, had always been interested in writing. At the age of 50, prompted by his wife, he began putting pen to paper. His books about life as a British country vet were made into movies and a much-loved TV series starring Christopher Timothy.

In 1979 James received an OBE.

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog by John Grogan (20 March 1957-- )

John Grogan began his writing career as a police reporter for the Herald-Palladium in the town of St Joseph. During this time, he rode with police and photographed murder victims. But he didn’t find his true calling until he took a job as columnist with The Palm Beach Post. Later he worked as columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Marley and Me spent 76 weeks on the bestseller list, 23 of them at number 1.

It was filmed in 2008. John and his wife were extras in one scene. Although he doesn’t reveal which scene, there are hints in his bio. Watch the movie and see if you can spot him and his wife.

I've only touched the surface of books about animals, and there are many more. So over to you. What is your favorite animal movie or book?

***

A post about pets wouldn't be complete without a pic of my family's dog. Here he is enjoying the sun and surveying his domain.

Janni Nell writes mysteries. Her new paranormal cozy Secrets, Spells & Murder is coming in fall 2017.