Life in the Male Observation Lab: Saving Bebe

| Melia Alexander

This is Bebe.  Isn’t she adorable?  P1130775In these pictures, I believe she’s about six weeks old.  The runt of the litter.  It’s something we have in common that makes me go all gooey inside whenever I think of her.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my writer-brain searches for story.  I can’t help it.  Only, on my last field visit to the Male Observation Lab (aka, the day-job), my writer-brain focused on character.  Specifically, a hero.

See, when Bebe’s dad (BD) first laid eyes on her at the kennel, she was curled up in the corner, eyes closed, and shivering.  P1130780BD thought the vet who was present had come to nurse her to health.  Instead, it turned out the breeder didn’t like her color, and she was sick on top of being a runt.  Bebe was scheduled for a trip to puppy heaven.

As BD put it, “I had to give her a fighting chance.”  So instead of one of the healthy puppies who scrambled all over each other as they played, he scooped up Bebe and took her home.  P1130779

Two weeks later, Bebe’s active, and curious, and happy, and making wonderful puppy growls when she plays.  And she adores her dad.  🙂

The whole experience made me think about a romance writer’s heroes and heroines — what makes them who they are, why they do the things they do, and, really, how they need to be created so their layers show as the story progresses.  Kind of like an onion, only not so smelly.

Because while the dudes in the Male Observation Lab sometimes seem so unhero-like (oh, can I list a bunch of examples!), when they turn around and do things like this, it makes a writer discover something way deeper about them.

And, really, isn’t that discovery what we’re supposed to provide for the heroes/heroines in our stories?  Just a thought. . ..

-Melia

14 thoughts on “Life in the Male Observation Lab: Saving Bebe”

  1. Oh goodness I got tears in my eyes reading this. I’m a dog-lover and whenever I read/hear about someone who has been kind to dogs I feel a tug in my heart and such a gratefulness people are out there doing just that. The little puppy herself is adorable of course and makes me want to get another dog even more. Bless her =)

  4. Good morning. I’m so glad you stopped by!

    I love to hear about people’s kindness – renews my faith in humanity. 🙂 Last I’d heard, Bebe is doing even better today than when I’d last seen her.

    Happy writing,
    Melia

  7. Hello, Eilis!

    Yes, we writers are supposed to develop layered characters. Easier to know than to do sometimes, though!

    Happy writing,
    Melia

  8. So happy to read this. I’ve never understood the breeder concept of getting rid of runts. I adopted two Akita’s from a breeder many years ago (more than 20 years now) that were considered runts or sickly. The good news is the breeder never considered getting rid of them. The only requirement I had was to never breed them. They were the most loving, wonderful dogs I’ve ever had. I miss them to this day.

  11. Being a “runt” myself, I’ve never understood it, either! I think runts have a lot to offer this world. . .. 🙂

    Hugs to you for adopting the Akita’s, Maggie. Gives me yet another reason to admire you!

    -Melia

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