Potential Character for Mrs. Kelsey and Tumblr 7/18/2023:
Perrito, Hopelessly Optimistic Would-Be Therapy Dog:
Appearance: (See above).
What he’s from: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”.
Background:
According to Perrito himself, he and his “litter-mates” used to live with a “family of pranksters” who “loved to play hide-and-seek” (with him “always being ‘It’”). They tossed him into a dumpster or a cellar, and each time he found them. So, one day, they got “creative”: They tied him up in a sock with a rock in it and threw him in the river. He managed to chew a hole in the sock and swam to shore. He never did find the family or the litter-mates, so “I guess I’m still ‘It’”. Yeah, that’s right. He didn’t even get that his family tried to murder him. Also, he apparently grew into the sock, so he got a “nice sweater” out of the deal.
Eventually, he found his way to Mama Luna, a cat-lady, and eventually met Puss in Boots, who was on his last life and, under the alias of “Pickles”, was trying to hide out in a reluctant retirement from a sinister wolf bounty hunter (who turned out to be Death itself).
However, Puss got dragged out of retirement when he found out about the Map to the Wishing Star, and planned on using it to gain back his lives. The two (Perrito, who, at the time, didn’t have a name of his own, and Puss) were joined by Puss’s ex-fiancée, Kitty Softpaws.
Ultimately, the three (and Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family) destroyed the Wishing Star before the sinister “Big Jack” Horner could use the wish to take control of all magic.
Now, “Team Friendship” (a name Perrito came up with) are off going on new adventures, including one where Puss meets up with a few “old friends”: Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey.
How he is like me:
We both are pretty nice and want to help others, and can be quite content with our life at times (he didn't even HAVE a wish to make, considering his life quite good the way it was).
How he is NOT like me:
I’m not hopelessly optimistic like he is. In fact, I've occasionally grumbled: "I'm doomed."
Kelsey Notes:
Is there a difference between being content or being complacent?
Perrito is not reliant on others to meet his needs, he goes with the flow and currently goes along as a stray cat for a home and free meal.
When you are complacent that can look like possibly being too reliant on others to meet your needs
It is always ok to be confident about the progress you have made and being ok with gaining more independent on doing things yourself versus having another adult there to support you through it
It’s important to not take advantage of a support system and the thing they do for you. At some point, there are decisions that your support system just can’t make for you.
Sometimes being too reliant on your support system can lead to resentment.
Sometimes you want the freedom to choose things yourself but sometimes you get so used to the pattern of someone else ultimately helping you make decisions that you get frustrated at the other person when they decide for you out of an unconscious habit.
When Perrito was with Puss and Boots did he become too complacent with Puss saving or protecting him or having someone walk through life with him?
Example: being cute to distract Jack Horner
The good thing about Perrito’s character is that he goes with the flow and does not get easily frustrated.
Some people are just like that, and for others it takes hard work to be that confident and easy going despite certain circumstances
When you do your Parana breathing exercises during a moment of frustration, it’s important to remind yourself that it is ok to not have it all together but being calm and easy going will make it easier for others to help you solve a problem by yourself
Maybe try turning your I’m doomed phrase into something more positive and strive to handle a moment of frustration the “Perrito Way”
Do you think your readers can relate to being complacent?
Feeling complacent with your place in life can sometimes be a result of feelings that there’s no more room for growth but that usually isn’t the case.
How did Perrito grow with Puss and Soft Paws?
He learned how to use his cuteness as a distraction to help get the wishing star
He helped calm down Puss and Boots when he was having panic attacks about death coming to get him
