| By Bronwyn Parry | January 22, 2010 |
Tansy: Hello! We’re Tansy and Jaffa, Bron’s Border Collie companions. She’s really busy with a deadline right now, so we thought we’d come and post in here for her. Being Border Collies, we’re smart enough to do that. Well, I am, anyway. [Whispering] My sister’s a blonde, in more ways than one.
Jaffa: Ooh, isn’t this a nice place! Look, there’s all these people! I’ll just roll onto my back so they can pat my tummy. Do you think any of them have treats?
Tansy: Anyway, we thought we’d talk today about dogs in fiction. Bron put a dog in her first book – a German Shepherd called Finn – and lots of readers loved him.
Jaffa: I don’t know why she hasn’t put us in a book. I’m as gorgeous as Lassie, and when I run through the paddock, the wind blows my fur just like hers. We’re definitely cuter than a German Shepherd.
Tansy: Yes, we are. But let’s face it, we’d outshine the human characters, wouldn’t we?
Jaffa: If I was in a book, I’d want to be a Princess. With a proper silk satin cushion to curl up on. And somebody always there to rub my tummy. And people who feed me at the right time. And a big gorgeous furry dog – maybe one of those Huskies – to rescue me if there was trouble.
Tansy: If I was in a book, I’d be a kick-ass heroine. Or maybe that’s a bite-ass heroine, since I’m a dog. I’d be a spy, maybe a canine Jane Bond, or perhaps a Border Collie challenger to Inspector Rex. There’d be lots of racing around, chasing people, sniffing out clues, and stalking and rounding up the villains. And I’d save the hero, and he’d give me a really big bone.
Jaffa: Sounds like a lot of work to me. Although maybe a bone would be worth it.
Tansy: Psst – you know something? I had a look at the book she’s writing now – and there are dogs in it.
Jaffa: Us??
Tansy: No, they’re called Maggie and Roo. They rounded up some sheep. I’m not sure if they’re meant to be Border Collies or Kelpies, though. Maybe we’re the inspiration for them.
Jaffa: Does the hero give a good tummy rub?
Tansy: Probably. He is the hero, after all. But she hasn’t written the tummy-rub scene yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Hey, do you think we should do a giveaway?
Jaffa: Give away what? A treat?
Tansy: No, they’re for us. But I think we should give away two copies of her book that’s got Finn in it. Maybe if readers tell us in the comments about their favourite fictional dog, and why that dog is a great character, we can draw two names from the comments to win the Finn book – although it’s called As Darkness Falls, not Finn’s Book. Now, I think she’s been sitting at that computer for too long. It must be time to take her for a walk.
Jaffa: Yes! Food time comes after our walk. Let’s go!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:59 am
Hilarious! I think my Simi could post (a German Shepherd), but if Suka tried it (mix of German Shep and something else… maybe demon) I’d be picking up pieces of laptop from a 3 block radius.
Hmm, favorite dog in fiction… that would have to be Gaspode the Wonder Dog from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. He’s a regular dog-of-all-trades, a mixed breed who accidentally slept too close to the magic dumping grounds from the wizards’ university and got the very unwanted ability to think, reason, and speak. He’s quite proud of his collection of diseases (“I’ve even got licky end, and you only get that if you’re a pregnant sheep!”) that are too busy fighting amongst themselves to kill him off, as well as his rather… unique… smell. And he always manages to save the day.
Yep. Gaspode the Wonder Dog is awesome.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:55 am
Tansy: Ooh, it’s Amelia! And her dogs! Yes, Gaspode is awesome. Especially the licky end. I also liked Dog, the Hell Hound, in Pratchett & Gaiman’s Good Omens.
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:11 am
That is so funny!
I just put my first dog in my recent MS. I must admit, it makes a good story with a cute dog in it. My dogs (schnauzers) should be somewhere in my MS because they are in my lap when I type them.
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:26 am
Your Jaffa sounds like our Wicket (a shepherd/husky mix)—all about the tummy rub! LOL Had a good giggle, Bron. Thanks. As to a favorite dog in fiction . . . hmm . . . there are so many. Can I choose my own? I have a wolfhound named Galahad in my current wip. Love him. My current movie fave is Delgado from Beverly Hills Chuhuaha, although Puppy Paws (Santa Buddies) comes in a close second. I ADORE big dogs and PP is a Great Pyranees. Big Red comes immediately to mind, as does Lad from books. Read Lad, a Dog way back in the day. Robin has a dog named Dave in Romeo, Romeo—he’s a hoot. And I love Finn. He’s friend, protector, and hug for Isabelle.
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:27 am
Jaffa: Personally, I think all stories need a cute dog. And I’d like to curl up in Bron’s lap, but she says I’m too big. So I sometimes lean against her leg instead. I’ve got her well-trained, ‘cos she pats me when I do that.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:38 am
Very Cute post ! I always love dogs in books (I’m not really a cat person). My favorite fictional dog is Colonel in Catch of the Day (Kristan Higgins). This one really made me want to get my own Colonel. Dave in Robin Kaye’s series is great too (literally and figuratively).
PS : I love your dogs ! This picture is adorable.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
My favourite fictional dog is Scooby Doo. But only in cartoon version.
In a book I think it would have to be Buck in (skriet från vildmarken not sure of original title) by Jack London.
Or just about any of the dogs in James Herriots books, although they are less fictional, I believe only the names are changed.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Oh Bron, that was fabulous! I needed a laugh and omigod you provided it! Finn was a wonderful character in ADF – just perfect for healing Bella.
Rin Tin Tin and the little black scottie ( I think?) in the Five Findouters and Dog would be my favourites.
And Jaffa, if you need a boyfriend, Zeus the Wonder Staffie would love to meet you!!!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Gosh, I go off and leave the dogs unattended, and look what they get up to
Gwynlyn, yes, Jaffa is all about the tummy rub – and the food! Tansy enjoys her food, too, but she likes to forage for it – she loves to ‘pick’ blackberries, and she’s quite the expert on ‘roo and wallaby poo. We have to keep her away form the grapevines, because they’re not good for dogs, but she loves to pick grapes, too! Can’t wait to read about Galahad the wolfhound. I love wolfhounds and deerhounds – I don’t think I’ll ever be getting one, though, as our sheep farming neighbours might not like it!
Emmanuelle – thanks to you and Gwynlyn for the reminder taht I need to read Robin’s Romeo, Romeo! It’s been sitting on my towering TBR pile for ages, so when I’ve finished writing the current book, I’ll have to move Romeo to the top of the pile!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Hi Angie! Scooby Doo is definitely a great character! And I remember reading The Call of the Wild when I was a teenager – a wonderful story. I read a lot of James Herriot then too. He knows how to write about animals with all their quirks and personalities – including the human animals!
Hi Helene! Dogs do make wonderful companions for investigators in books and TV shows, don’t they! Some of them are so naturally inquisitive, plus they have a good sense of smell, taste, and hearing. Tansy’s like that – she really studies scents and I’m sure she’s analysing what, how long ago, where it went to, and so on. We’ve started really paying attention to her behaviour around Jaffa: Jaffa has seizures sometimes, and I think Tansy ‘knows’ in advance that she’s building up to one, as she often goes to check her sister, gives her a good sniff, and licks her ear.
Jaffa’s not quite sure if she needs a boyfriend, but Tansy would LOVE to play with another dog
And Zeus the Wonder Staffie sounds like fun!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I love Gaspode too. Plus I’m fond of all the iterations of Cafall/Caval (King Arthur’s dog). Especially in the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel King and The Grey King by Susan Cooper.
I also love Barbara O’Neal’s dogs. They’re very real but lovely dogs. I loved Big Red as a kid (we had an Irish Setter). And TV wise I’m fond of Dieffenbacher (the deaf white wolf from Due South) and Rex from Inspector Rex.
Your two look very cute. I’m sure Jaffa is just acting blonde to fool you all : )
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Darling post, Bronwyn! We raised dogs when I was growing up (Brittany Spaniels) so those always hold my heart over any fictional pooches. But now that I say that, I suspect I’ll fall in love with a fictional fido within the next month!
Thanks for the nice, joyful break to read your blog!
Jenn
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hello Mel! I gave my nephew one of the new King Arthur novels (forgotten the author’s name!) for Christmas, but I didn’t check if there was a dog in it
I loved the Susan Cooper books – must check out Guy Gavriel King. Barbara loves dogs, so it’s not surprising that her fictional ones are very real. Oh, and if Jaffa’s acting, then she should be up for an Oscar 
She’s on medication for her seizures, though, and that doesn’t help her brain functions, so she has a good excuse. But she has always been food and affection-focused since she was a puppy!
Jenn, glad you enjoyed the blog! Yes, fictional pooches aren’t quite as wonderful as our real canine friends, but they can be fun characters, too. And I think the human affection for dogs is reflected in how often they do show up in our stories, whether in books, movies, or whatever.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:17 am
Oh, Bronwyn, I would love to meet your dogs! They’re so cute, and they can post blogs too
Amazing. I think we’re always drawn in by our love of animals. But the one that stands out besides Lassie of course, is a cartoon. Anyone remember the cartoon Johnny Quest and the cute little white and black Boston terrier named Bandit:) Good luck with your deadline, Bron! Did that run in Australia?
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I have read thousands of books and lots of them had dogs as characters or companions but when I think about a name Lassie comes to mind. Between the original book and the movies, well ’she’s’ got it beat. Of course I never understood how they could use a male dog to play a female. Now that i think about it I loved RIN TIN TIN too. I guess I’m just a sucker for heroic dogs.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:30 pm
My favorite fictional dog…well, there are 101 of them. The Dalmations of Disney fame. Every time I hear dogs barking in the neighborhood at twilight, I think of the twilight bark.
I am owned by a Shih Tzu named Pikachu. Pikachu has all of us well trained too. She even helpfully brings us her favorite bowl when we’re dishing out interesting things like ice cream. Another one of her favorite things to do? Bark at me until I leave the computer to get her Good Girl Treat. Pikachu’s human daddy taught her that she gets a treat EVERY time she goes outside. Unfortunately for Pikachu, it’s her human mommy at home with her all day, and Mom doesn’t always believe that dogs should get treats for going outside like their supposed to. However, a good belly rub or throw the toy is as good as food. Well, at least once or twice.
January 24th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Hello Bronwyn,
I love the post! Totally funny! Your doggies sound like my April, a Boston Terrier. She is a total Diva.
My favorite fictional dog characters are Scooby Doo and White Fang. I am a animal lover, true to heart!
January 24th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I wish I could get my dogs to do something besides eat and sleep.
January 24th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Yes,animals in books & good movies are inspiring, & their relationships with the humans they meet makes up think about our own characters. Lassie Come Home & The Incredible Journey are my favourite books with animals in leading roles. And,yes,Laura I think of 101 Dalmations at twilight barking time too!
January 25th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I bring doggie treats and belly rubs for Tansy and Jaffa.
Bronwyn is so lucky to have such intelligent companions writing her blog. Perhaps you could talk to my Buffy, a Wolfhound who is often found hard at work perfecting her sleep habit. Hooray for Gwynlyn’s wolfhound! 
My current favourite fictional canine would be Dave from Robin Kaye’s books.
Thanks for the fun post!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Bronwyn, I have changed my name from Grudge to Glad – more appropriate when I’m considering the love and loyalty of animals (especially dogs!) & humans: and the trials they can overcome for each other.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Thank you, everyone for your comments! Dogs are so easy to love, aren’t they? Their intelligence, their adoration, their loyalty, and their often quirky characters make them great companions and friends.
Mind you, Tansy and Jaffa weren’t too fond of me, earlier today – they were very unimpressed with the idea of celebrating Australia Day by having a wash. (Probably needless to say, that washing two dogs outside with hose and shampoo, also involves washing two humans…)
Now, it must be time to draw a prize or two! I thought about asking Tansy and Jaffa to do it, but they came up with a scheme of putting everyone’s names on a treat – and picking the most delicious ones!
Since they’re both supposed to be on diets, we’ll have to do a non-fat, healthy drawing, so I’m going to head over to the Random Number Generator to pick a couple of numbers…
And the two winners are…
Angie (comment number 7) AND
Gail Fuller (comment number 20)
Ladies, I’ll send you an email to get your postal address, and send out a signed copy of the UK edition of As Darkness Falls.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Missdee: Hi cuz’s in NSW – it’s us littlies from WA popping in to say hello. We’ve seen lots of pics of you guys and would really love to meet you but mum has so much trouble taking us both in the car at the same time to the vet, I don’t know if she could take us on an aeroplane – but how cool would that be? Do you think we could concentrate really hard and do ESP and trade some tricks – then we could get into some mischief over here as well. Hang on the big one wants to drop in now…….
Miss Pepper: As usual the littlie has got in first, but I just thought I would say hello and that we have been seeing lots of your pics. You both look really happy and cheeky things – or was that your mum and dad that were also in the photos!! You have so much space to roam around in – I hope you don’t get yourselves lost. It’s a bit scary out in that big wide world and we much prefer staying in at night and getting cuddles and tummy rubs – that’s another thing that we have in common – that is the top thing in my list – even more than eating! Oh well mum is on her way back so we need to go before she finds all her cotton reels on the floor again – they are so much fun to play with. Miaows and kisses from us both.
PS – you do like kittens don’t you?