Dogs have invaded chick lit, pawing their way onto the list of requisite accessories for chick lit heroines, right up there next to stiletto heels and the little black dress. So much for diamonds being a girl's best friend.
| Rex and the City by Lee Harrington (Villard, Apr.) | Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe (Villard, Aug.) | Doggy Style by Jane May (Kensington, Oct.) | Pug Hill by Alison Pace (Berkley, May) | |
| Dog: | A spaniel named Rex | A pit-bull mix named Chuck | A Chihuahua-dachshund mix named Miles | Pugs named Kermit, Roxy and Eustice |
| Dog's role: | Rex lets New Yorkers Lee and Ted test their compatibility—and dog-rearing skills—in this real-life chick lit tale. | Chuck, who not only barks but talks, gives Dawn advice on her love life. | When Jen and Bob's relationship goes awry, their pup, Miles (the book's narrator), plays Dr. Phil in an attempt to smooth things over. | Watching the pugs who hang out on Pug Hill in Central Park is Hope's salvation from boyfriend and family dramas. |
| The dog vs. the date: | "Rex twisted out of my arms and kissed Ted full on the mouth. And then he kissed me again. It was as if he was sealing something between the three of us." | "Paxton did his best to recoup by getting on his knees and trying baby talk. But his 'heh-wo, wid-dew puppee' only caused Chuck to add guttural noises to his hostile body language." | "I whipped around and sunk my teeth into his thigh. Not hard enough to cause him to yelp, yowl, and make this huge scene like I'd killed him or something. Once again, I was made out to be the bad guy." | "I try to think of all I do have, instead of thinking... of how now I don't have Evan. Really, I have so much more, I remind myself.... I have the pugs, I think as I walk toward the museum. I have them." |
