THE POWER OF PETS
Animals have always been a part of my life and therefore it seemed natural that they became a part of my writing. Whilst my writing is very character driven and focuses very much on the complexities of human relationships, I like to introduce animals into the mix. In my latest novel We Never Said Goodbye one of the main characters, Louise, finds herself abandoned by her husband after twenty years. The loss is unexpected and cruel, and much of the book covers her story from there on. How does she cope? How does she move on? How does she reimagine her future? I won’t spoil the story but I will say that a little furry friend comes along to help her find her way.
I think animals can be such a comfort to us humans, particularly when we are facing our darkest times. They remind us that there is more to care about than our worries, our families, our work and our homes: a reminder that we are more than just our small worlds. That’s why animal welfare is a cause close to my heart. My own cat, Teddy is my constant companion when I write my novels. Teddy is a rescue cat. He is a beautiful British Shorthair, a pedigree but he was badly abused by the breeder he was rescued from. Teddy now suffers from a number of health problems which we have to manage but he has the sweetest disposition and is an integral part of our family.
It’s because of the light that Teddy brings to my life that animal welfare is such a huge priority for me especially organisations that work towards protecting and rehoming cats. Here are a few that you might consider donating to:
The Celia Hammond Animal Trust
In the meantime, if you’d like to find out what happened to Louise We Never Said Goodbye is out now. I look forward to your feedback and comments.