A Note From Patrick: June 2020

“Cruelty cannot stand the spotlight.” That was the tagline for The Ark Trust, an organization which awarded the media for reporting on animal issues. I have been thinking about those words a lot lately. I am buoyed by recent events bringing so much injustice to light — while deeply saddened that these injustices exist. I feel optimistic that a powerful awakening is coming.

MUTTS readers have an abundance of empathy and a deep sense of justice. We are all in this together to make a stronger, more peaceful world for all.

***

MUTTS NEWS SPOILER ALERT: If you’d rather be surprised with a new twist in the world of MUTTS, please don’t read the following two paragraphs until after June 16.

Friends, I’ve made two longstanding promises with my MUTTS strip. The first: someday Guard Dog will be freed. (Yes, this will happen before too long.) The second: Butchie and his Fatty Snax Deli would go veggie. With a two-week storyline starting Sunday, Butchie will finally see the light.

As a vegetarian for over 30 years and a vegan since 2012, I’ve always felt a little strange drawing the cheeses and salamis that hang over Butchie’s head. I’m feeling better because they will now be plant-based and cruelty-free.

With the pandemic, and understanding the cruelties of raising and processing “meat,” it’s more important than ever to rethink how we treat the animals — and people — on this planet. Going plant-based is a win-win. It’s good for your own health, the health of the planet, and obviously the billions of suffering, factory farmed animals.

Going veggie gets easier and easier. (Millions have already discovered new, delicious meat substitutes.) I ask everyone to do what you can. Even observing Meatless Mondays can save a billion animals each year in the United States alone. If Butchie can do it, so can you.

***

Last month we posted two comic strips that I drew for the MUTTS blog, which were pandemic-themed and written by my friend, author Glen David Gold. Glen suggested that we auction off one of the strips for charity, and I am happy that we can, and will, make this happen. I’ve watercolored the original artwork for this purpose and Heritage Auctions has agreed to host the auction. We’ll keep you updated as this process unfolds.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay kind.

— Patrick

— Patrick McDonnell
Tagged: News & Events, People

Comments (208)

I am a huge Mutts fan – reading the strip is the best part of my morning! I support the fight against animal cruelty and agree it is important that we humans be more thoughtful about what we consume. I’d respectfully ask Patrick to remember that cats are obligate carnivores. Humans are able to synthesize necessary proteins from a vegetarian diet but cats cannot. Poor Mooch’s health would suffer if he was forced onto a vegetarian diet. I hope other cat parents are aware of this difference between humans and our beloved felines.

swilk4

I’m so glad to hear that Guard Dog will be free! He has always reminded me of a big, tough pit mix whom I found as a stray and adopted… as Edward adjusted to life as a house dog, how he loved snuggling up on the couch, sleeping on my bed, being sung to, trying to curl up in my toy poodle’s tiny round bed, with his head sticking out one end and his rear end hanging out the other. When I found a stray pregnant dog a few years later, we wondered how he would be with the puppies – he and the puppies adored each other. He was so gentle and they climbed all over him – he and the tiniest girl, the runt we feared might not survive – particularly adored each other, and that special bond lasted for the rest of his life. My chihuahua liked to boss him around. Edward passed away in February, at least 15 years old – how I miss him! Watching Guard dog off the chain will remind me of Edward and make me smile.

Kristen

So glad Guard Dog will be free. I hope he finds new people that will love and care for him.

Eleanor Buran

I am so excited by this news!! It was always so hard for me to see those “meats”, even in drawing form, knowing they were once loving animals, like Earl and Mooch.
And for Guard Dog to be left off his chain, you have me in tears of joy!! Thank you for using your gifts to not only entertain, but to enlighten, teach and make the planet a better place.

Roxane R Fritz

Every time I see Guard Dog on the chain, I want to step into the strip to release him. I love the little girl who cares about him. I can’t wait for him to be freed! And a question, will ‘Fatty Shnax’ have a name change as well?

Kathryn Cassidy

AWESOME! As a vegetarian since 1985 and a vegan since 2011, I salute Butchie (and YOU, P.M., of course!) for taking this next step toward compassion and justice for all animals, human & nonhuman. Friends, not food.

Kathleen

Great idea and I hope all the Mutts crew will have a big celebration when Guard Dog is free! I go meatless at least three times a week but being in Texas it is hard when surrounded by meat lovers. /

David Mead

I think this is wonderful! We all must grow and evolve and I Love that you are doing this with your Comic Strip! Love Mutts!! And Thank you, Patrick for creating Mutts and bringing animal and human cruelty to the forefront!

Barrie Altman

Tell me Mooch and Earl are going vegan

stu

Patrick, I applaud your choice to go vegan! I only have one concern for your millions of readers. I am a veterinarian board certified in feline practice and it is important to remember that cats are obligate carnivores and so far we have no good substitutes for a meat-based diet for feline nutritional needs. They CAN digest carbohydrates and utilize them for energy but they lack many metabolic pathways that we have to manufacture some essential amino acids from a vegetable-based diet (and simply adding supplements to a vegetable based diet does not seem to replicate some of the delicate balance of these compounds found in meat-based proteins). For this reason cats MUST not go vegan, so this may present some ethical dilemmas for some owners. But we must realize it is NOT an ethical choice made by the cat. They simply are what they are and have needs that are not a choice. Please tell your readers to talk to their veterinarian about appropriate dietary choices for their pets if they, themselves have made their own dietary decisions.

catvetcarrie