Ruff Ruff, Meow Meow: Favorite Fictional Pets!
Who doesn't love pets?! Okay, maybe some of you don't, but as someone who counts five -- FIVE! -- dogs within my immediate family, it's no wonder I have a long list of fictional pets I adore, too.
Picture books are a sure bet for finding amazing animals to befriend, and I'm pretty sure my love for dogs stemmed from the classic book The Poky Little Puppy, which features a pup that's wiggly and wily and always getting into trouble. Just like my dogs!
While I think puppies are the ultimate in cuteness, there's another animal that inspires lots of glee from me: pandas. I mean, really, is there anything cuter than a panda? How about a panda with an umbrella? The lush, beautiful Stillwater from Jon J. Muth's Zen Ties served as more than a pet for the three children who found him in their backyard — he was also a storyteller and, in many ways, a teacher.
Then there's Pan, Lyra's daemon in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Pan is special because he can change forms from one animal to another — sometimes he's a leopard, but sometimes he's a mouse or even a moth; no matter what form he takes, Pan is definitely one of my favorite fictional pets.
There are tons of other book pets I love, from Tigger (Mary Ann's cat in The Baby-sitters Club) to Clifford the Big Red Dog to Fang (Hagrid's dog in the Harry Potter series) to Toto in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. What are some of your favorite pets from books? List 'em in the comments!
— Morgan, Scholastic Staffer
Photo Credit: Waldemar Dabrowski/Shutterstock
How about Snorri's cat in the Septimus Heap series?
Or Spit Fyre...
Comment #1 | Posted by: Krystalis on May 20, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I love Socks from the Beverly Cleary book called Socks. He is an adorable little cat whose mommy is having a baby and so he feels neglected. The story is told from Socks' point of view!
Comment #2 | Posted by: Jen B. on May 20, 2009 at 04:03 PM
PAN ISN'T A PET HE IS LYRA'S SOUL!!!!! >:(
Comment #3 | Posted by: Wolfsong11 on May 20, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Do former "kittypets", as the Warriors call them, count? 'Cuz I think that Millie, Graysripe's mate, is absolutely awesome!!!
Comment #4 | Posted by: 89999harrypotter99998 on May 20, 2009 at 04:27 PM
I like the lemur Jayjay from Artemis Fowl, he is SOOOO cute! But he isn't really a pet...
Comment #5 | Posted by: Songheart on May 21, 2009 at 04:46 AM
I love Pan! He's adorable.
Ooh, and Nidhogg (I hope I spelled that right) from The Magician by Michael Scott. Cerberus from the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan was pretty cool too...
Comment #6 | Posted by: Valkyrie2b on May 21, 2009 at 02:23 PM
if u read judy moody books, then u would know mouse the cat:]
Comment #7 | Posted by: eloisa on May 21, 2009 at 09:57 PM
I like:
- Pigwidgeon from Harry Potter
- Gwin from Inkheart
Comment #8 | Posted by: Aliyah (_feelin'_sorry_4_sev_) on May 23, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I like Total from the Maximum Ride Series,Gwinn from the Inkheart, Mrs.O'Larry from Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Comment #9 | Posted by: Fang on May 23, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I like hedwig, pigwidgeon and crookshanks from Harry Potter.
Comment #10 | Posted by: chickenlover98 on May 25, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I want a dog that introduces me to new friends like Winn-Dixie! That's the ultimate DOG pet!
Comment #11 | Posted by: LibrarianVei on May 25, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Cute!!!!
Comment #12 | Posted by: rockintomuch51 on May 27, 2009 at 08:19 PM
I luv cats.I have a cat and she is soooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #13 | Posted by: payton a.k.a paypayrocks on June 25, 2009 at 02:43 PM