Do you know of any Christian fiction featuring a dog as a major character?
Tough question!
The first novels I though to featuring a dog as a major character were The Famous Five novels by Enid Blyton. I can still hear the TV theme tune in my mind … Julian, Dick, and Anne, George and Timmy the do-o-o-og.
I can think of some Christian fiction where the main character had a dog, but not where the dog was actually a major character.
What’s the difference, you might ask.
Well, a lot of fiction will mention that a character has a pet dog or cat, but the animal doesn’t really play any major part in the story. The animal spends most of its time at home, often locked in the house or in a cage when the owner (the main character) leaves to go to work or have a life. Too often, it seems like the animals are introduced at the beginning as a plot point, then forgotten about. They’re barely fed and only walked if that suits the plot (e.g. if the heroine has to leave the house so she can be kidnapped).
They are side characters or accessories, not major characters.
I have come across a few novels where the dogs get more attention. Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks is one—Darby adopts Holly and Maverick, and they were my favourite characters.
Dan Walsh has the Forever Home four-book series featuring dogs as major characters, starting with Rescuing Finley. I don’t know why I haven’t read them yet, but that’s obviously a fault I need to rectify.
