Meet Nidge: From Mac and Willow to Fictional Mischief
When readers first meet Maeve Lynch in Purls and Peril, she isn’t alone. At her side is Nidge, a scruffy white terrier with a nose for trouble and a talent for stealing scenes. What many don’t know is that Nidge is inspired by two very real companions of mine — Mac and Willow.
Mac: The Original Adventurer
For 13 years, my West Highland Terrier, Mac, was my shadow. He came with me everywhere, from hikes up Three Rock and Killiney Hill to strolls along Dun Laoghaire pier, Howth Head, Malahide Beach, and even the paths around Santry Demesne. Together, we explored Ireland, and when I moved to the U.S., he came too — always ready for the next adventure.
Mac had one uncanny gift: an unfailing mud radar. No matter how dry the day, he could sniff out a puddle, and somehow it was always just deep enough to coat his belly in muck. Westies sit low to the ground, and their long stomach hair is like velcro for dirt, leaves, and anything else they can sweep up. That muddy trait shows up in Purls and Peril as early as Chapter 2, when Nidge lives up to Mac’s legacy of chaos.
Mac was also a food opportunist. He devoured his kibble the second it hit the bowl, and a fallen crumb never stood a chance. If you dropped a treat, he could transform into an Olympic sprinter in an instant. He even mastered puzzle toys designed to challenge dogs — he was determined when food was at stake!
Willow: The Food Snob (and Puddle Avoider)
Enter Willow, my current pup. Willow is a rescue, and according to her DNA test, she’s mostly Chinese Shar-Pei — though I’m a little dubious about that result! Whatever she’s made of, she’s full of character.
Where Mac saw every scrap as a treasure, Willow takes the opposite approach. She is, without question, a food snob. She refuses dried food, nudges her bowl around the kitchen as if she’s burying it, and only circles back to eat when she feels like it. She prefers the finest brand available — and makes sure I know it.
She’s also the opposite of Mac when it comes to mud. Willow daintily sidesteps puddles with absolute precision, as if water is her sworn enemy. And yet — in true canine-contradiction fashion — if she’s warm and thirsty, she has no problem going all in. She’ll lie completely prone in a stream or pond, belly submerged, happily drinking as if it’s her own private spa day.
Willow also contributes a softer, more deliberate side to Nidge’s personality. While she may not be as mischievous as Mac, she has her quirks — and they’ve found their way into the book too.
Two Dogs, One Fictional Terrier
Nidge is the best of both worlds: Mac’s adventurous, muddy-puddle radar and insatiable love of food, blended with Willow’s finicky eating habits and eccentric charm. Both dogs loved visiting the knitting shop with me and were perfect around customers — no yarn skein was ever in danger.
When I needed to come up with an imprint for my book, I instantly thought of them — and MacWillow Press was born. It felt right that the two dogs who inspired Nidge, and brought so much joy and mischief into my life, would also be part of my publishing journey.
So when readers laugh at Nidge’s antics or smile at his loyalty, they’re really seeing bits of two beloved dogs who shaped my life. Mac gave him mischief; Willow gave him refinement. Together, they became Nidge, Maeve’s four-legged partner-in-crime and, in many ways, the beating heart of Purls and Peril.
What quirks would your pet bring to a mystery novel?
Curious to see how the cowl wove its way into the story? You can find Purls and Peril here.
