BtVS Characters & their Pets

[willow_25]

Okay, I posted once before about this, a few months ago, but it was buried in a much longer post.  So, I'm gonna try again; because other than Kate (thanks!), I've heard no other thoughts.

Now, with the notable exception of Amy in rat form, no one on Buffy had a pet.  But, after Chosen, when they are spread to far corners of the world without their friends and family, I picture them getting animals.  I am not taking into account the comics, FYI.  Here are my thoughts in that direction; let me know what you think.

Buffy & Dawn:  They never had pets, but I picture Joyce as one of those moms who fed stray cats, and let you go up to random dogs at the park.  I'd say they're ambivalent.  They'd be happy to play with or take care of an animal if a boyfriend or roommate brought one around, but would not actively acquire their own pet.  Although, Dawn seems more cat person, and Buffy more into dogs.

Xander:  I think without his friends, and after the loss of Anya, Xander wants something to take care of, that needs him.  It might not be a traditionally affectionate pet, like a dog or cat, but I do see him seeking an animal companion.  My thought right now is a snake, or a bird of some kind.  He'd probably get a parrot, because he'd think that was funny.

Willow:  Without her parents and roommates there to say no, Willow would likely have animals.  She liked having Amy around, and Miss Kitty Fantastico.  They might be strays, or her own, but I think Willow will find some type of furry creatures to care for.  And, possibly a lizard.

Giles:  Faced with being the new head of the Watcher's Council, or even a high-ranking member of the surviving Watchers, I don't think Giles would seek out a pet.  Of course, if the 'Council House', or wherever they are now that the old place blew up, had a cat wandering around, I think he would pet it.  And possibly give it milk.

Spike:  You just know he's a closet animal lover. Spike's personality seems so feline to me, that I can't picture him with a cat.  That might not makes sense to anyone but me; but it would almost be like having another him hanging about.  Spike, to me, is a dog guy.  And not a 'toy dog' guy, or a guy who would get a really cute dog like a golden retriever to attract women.  I picture him with a bulldog or mastiff mutt mix.

Angel: Now, here's a cat guy. Short hair, though. He wants a pet, so he'll feel needed, but nothing too pressuring; dogs need to be walked, after all.  A cat would do it's own thing, then curl up in his lap while he read Kierkegaard, or Niche, or whatever.  And he'd never have to admit it was his; he could say he got it for the group.  The cat wouldn't cling.  And, if it caught a mouse, you know he'd be proud.

Faith:  Yeah, I can't picture Faith with a pet.  Maybe a dog?  But, not right now.  She needs to mature more.  I'd put her in the Buffy and Dawn ambivalent category.  If Robin got a dog (you know he's a Labrador guy), she'd probably ignore it.

So, thoughts?

Comments

[elkor.livejournal.com]

Xander would get something that could be kept in a cage, 'cause he'd want that element of control over it, and he wouldn't have to worry about it running away.

A parrot or some other bird. Or a rabbit, 'cause Anya was anti-rabbits. Not a snake, though. He's not a reptile type of person.

I could definitely see Faith with a reptile though, epecially a large one. She'd think it was cool.

I also think Spike would be a reptile person. He'd get it to fit in with his bad boy image. If it was a dog, it would be a doberman, or other sleek hunting/attack dog.

I think you have Dawn and Buffy backwards. Buffy doesn't want to have to take care of anything, she's tired of it. It would be an added burden. Dawn, however, would want the acceptance and interaction necessary

[lilachigh.livejournal.com]

Enjoyed your post. Go and read Man’s Best Friend by tkp

You’ll love it. Angel, Spike and llyria adopt a puppy. And it isn’t soppy but probably one of the best fics I have read for a long time.

[willow-25.livejournal.com]

Hmm, maybe Faith would be good with a snake; for some reason (even with the obvious innuendo) I never pictured that before. Silly me.

I do think Xander could be a reptile person, though I see where the opposite thought comes from, too.

Spike: Vamp Spike + snake/iguana needing sun or sunlamp = badness. And regarding the violent/sleek dog: if he were evil Spike, I'd buy that, but he's been living around the Scoobies and the Fang Gang for years now; I don't think he'd take the chance on anything that would get violent with his humans, but he'd still want something badass looking.

I think the Buffy/Dawn thing is, I don't see either of them taking responsibility for an animal; any animal around them would belong to someone else.

I don't think Buffy would freak about the responsibility for a weekend, or a walk and a fill of the dish, but wouldn't want it long term. She's bad with affectionate words, but good with gestures, which is why I think dog. She pets the dog, walks the dog, throws a ball, the dog is happy.

[elkor.livejournal.com]

I don't think Buffy would freak about the responsibility for a weekend,

Of course not, she's the Slayer. It happens. But I'm thinking ownership here. She wouldn't want anything that she'd have to protect. She has a hard enough time taking care of herself and being resposible for other people.

Plus, she's got the whole "Slayer's die young" mindset.


I don't think Spike would get a vicious or actively aggressive dog. But a well trained guard dog would be up his alley. Or a snake, since they are low maintenance. They need heat lamps, not UV lamps. Dogs are more likely to need/want the sunshine to play in. Plus dogs aren't really nocturnal.

Maybe an Owl for Spike?

Dawn would so want a pet. Something she can cuddle and play with. Which isn't really a cat.

I read that!

[willow-25.livejournal.com]

It's really a good story, and a good character study. I still think Angel needs a cat, though.

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

Well, you didn't give us much to comment on -- you pretty much called it. Dawn is indeed the cat type, but I know enough about teenage girls to know Dawn would beg for a cat, promise to take care of it, and within a month Buffy's nurturing side would kick in and she'd find herself feeding the poor ignored thing and cleaning out the litter box.

Buffy would want a "cute" dog. I'm not quite prepared to say she'd go for one of those little handbag squatters, but maybe ...

Xander? Parrot, absolutely, so he could teach it to give quotes from science fiction movies. Or a monkey.

Willow would *surround* herself with animals of the cute variety.

Giles might get a fish tank, full of the tropical variety to set in one corner of his relaxing study.

Spike and Angel? You called it. Spike would talk to his dog, Angel would occasionally stroke his cat, but only when nobody's watching.

Faith wouldn't touch the responsibility of a pet, but wouldn't complain about Robin's dog -- if they stayed together. Since Robin spent much of his life training to slay monsters, I'm guessing his pet would be able to pull double duty as an attack dog.