In fantasy romance (Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass or Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series), the animal isn't just a pet; it is a familiar, a pack member, or a shapeshifter. The woman’s relationship with the wolf/dragon/fox represents her suppressed primal nature.

In many romantic storylines, a woman’s relationship with an animal acts as a "litmus test" for her human love interests. If a romantic partner doesn’t get along with her pet, it’s often a narrative shorthand for their incompatibility.

or caged birds are frequently used in historical literature to symbolize the social confinement of women, where the bird's song represents "lost liberty" The Untamed Ally : Characters who befriended wild animals, such as

As Alex and Jake grow closer, they face obstacles, including: