If Austen’s characters owned pets, which ones would they choose? Just for fun, I thought I’d pair the characters up with pets that match their personalities. Check out my choices below.
Elizabeth would have a greyhound because she loves her long walks. I imagine if she’d lived in our modern times, she’d be a runner, and she and her greyhound would train for marathons together.
Plus—just look at those fine eyes!
Wickam would have a goldfish because it’s easy and low maintenance.
And it would die.
Emma would have a little lovebird named Sweetsie. The adoption would be through a certified lovebird breeder that provides all the official paperwork to ensure that there are no unsavory feathers in Sweetsie’s family (wait for it…) tree.
Emma would sign dear Sweetsie up for speed dating and create an account for her on Match.com, working tirelessly until Sweetsie found her equally well-bred other half. Once paired, the two lovebirds would live with Emma, along with their chicks and chicks’ governess.
This is Sweetsie with partner, Tweetsie, and babies, Little Twee and Fancy Feathers.
Willoughby would adopt a Labrador puppy from the shelter. All the women would “ooh” and “aah” over it when he took it on walks, and he’d score their numbers. He’d return the puppy the following week, though, after it destroyed his best cravat.
He’d try out a fluffy Pomeranian next, telling all the women he and his furry bestie are inseparable, and the women would exclaim over what a sweet and kind man he is! But the yapping and shedding would drive him up the wall, and he’d return that one too.
He’d look for a poodle next—rich, well bred—but word would have gotten out by then, and all the local shelters would have pictures of him with the warning, “Do not let this man adopt a dog!”
Oh, Willoughby. You have a heart of stone.
Lady Catherine would have a Bichon Frise (pronounced with a French accent) that sat on her lap while delicately lapping tea and nibbling milk bones imported from France. It would release high pitched barks while Lady Catherine yapped. All of Lady Catherine’s guests would say in stilted tones how adorable it was while it nipped at their fingers.
(I used to have a Bichon Frise, and when asked it’s breed, I never, ever answered without a French accent.)
Here he is. God rest his adorable, fluffy soul.
Or…maybe Lady Catherine would have a Persian cat that she stroked while offering unsolicited advice, like a Regency Bond villain. The Persian would hiss and scratch when anyone approached it, and Lady Catherine would say, “Lady Purr is an excellent judge of character, much like myself.”
This is the majestic Lady Purr, with her resting face of privilege and superiority. I imagine its fluffy little hairs flying off Lady Catherine’s fingers and onto her guests, while she strokes it obliviously. Then the servants bring Lady Purr salmon and cream on the best dishes, and Lady Purr hisses at their lower class selves.
Jane would have a well-mannered rescue pup that offered its head for pets only when a willing hand was stretched towards it, asked for food and walks only when it was convenient, and never barked unless expressly asked to do so.
Maybe this one, Jane? He’s my little Malti-poo. He never barks, and he cuddles on command! Climbing into this backpack and making it his resting spot was his own idea.
Or…maybe Jane and Charles would have a houseful of rescue animals, including rats and mice they found in their cupboards and adopted, a bit like Cinderella. The horde would run rampant, scratching, pawing, and slobbering all over their guests. The rats would scurry up the women’s legs and under their petticoats, and Jane and Charles would say, “Oh, little Ratsford! Such a mischief maker!” And Jane and Charles would see the good in every one of them.
Here’s little Ratsford, just waiting for a petticoat-cuddle.
What would Mr. Darcy own?? I’ve tried out several ideas, but I’m not happy with any of them. Any ideas?
Thanks for reading!
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