Let me introduce you to my writing partner:
Max has been a
part of our family for close to fourteen years now. He was a gift for my son on his fifth
birthday, but I’ll let you in on a little secret.
That was just a
ruse.
He’s mine. The moment he bounced out of his travel crate
and into my arms, he’s had me wrapped around his dewclaw. (My son received a bunch of Pokemon stuff
that year too, so we’re even.) During
the day when I write, Max is my constant companion. Warming my feet, reminding me to get fresh
air and exercise or letting me know, with a gentle nudge, when it’s time for
lunch or a break. He’s also a fabulous
listener. I’ve talked through many a
plot twist with him as he sat patiently; wise brown eyes reminding me to kill my darlings. When I took the picture above, that was
exactly how I found him. Why he likes to
have his paws on things, I don’t know, but I love his face – it’s like we’ve got some serious editing to do and you
think it’s time for a snack? Just
this morning as I poured myself a cup of coffee, he paced around my feet, anxious to
get to work. Work for me being this writing
thing, work for him sitting with me, curled up in a blanket and dozing to the
sound of my tapping keyboard.
Sometimes I
wonder who has the better end of this deal.
I’m not
alone. Many writers through the years have had beloved animal companions. Charles
Dickens had a pet raven named Grip.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning had a cocker spaniel named Flush. And Ernest Hemingway had so many cats there
are still ancestors of them roaming around the grounds of his historic home in
Key West, FL.
For me, Max is a
reminder that even though this writing life can be a solitary one, I’m not
alone. And any time it all becomes a
tiny bit frustrating or I get stuck – a brisk walk, nap time, or allowing myself
time to play – is all it takes to make it better.
So how about
you? Do you have any animal
companions? Why do you think animals and
writers make great friends?
I miss our doggy :(. I do think animals make great writing companions, walking companions, crying companions, you name it. How sweet that your doggy loves to be with you.
ReplyDeleteI had to say goodbye to mine in June, and I still expect to see her around every corner of my house. She was my best "thinking" companion on those daily walks. When she refused to walk, off and on, in her last year, I felt off, too.
ReplyDeleteI find myself talking through things with my dog almost every day. Glad to hear I'm not the only one... And there's nothing like a good walk with her to clear my head, and help me to refocus on my desk, instead of my kitchen or some other distraction.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea: in honor of Max, give someone a dog in your next book - how about Maddie?