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)

Stop with the vegan preaching. I read comics to be entertained.

William

Patrick, As much as I love your strip, and how much I appreciate your choice to be a vegetarian, I MUST tell you that no cat can live on a vegetarian diet. Many people have tried to get their cats over to their vegetarian side, but that KILLS their kitty companions.
Thanks for “listening” ~
Cathy Kirk

Cathy Kirk

My heart sank and I actually felt sick to my stomach when I saw the June 19th cartoon of Mooch and Earl partaking of “a little veggie burger.” Earl maybe, but Mooch? My cat would have taken one sniff and walked away.

Yeah, I know it’s a comic strip, but it’s irresponsible to show Mooch eating plant-based food (unless it’s catnip or the occasional bite of green grass for digestion). It might give someone the wrong idea. Even meat-based cat food containing grains and veg fillers is not good for cats.

As others have suggested, I hope Mutts finds a way to address Mooch’s need as an obligate carnivore. It’s another important part of raising awareness about the well-being of our pets.

What next? Butchie takes up jogging, gets thin and renames the place? Skinny Snax Deli? … um, no. It’s the flaws in cartoon characters that make them funny. It’s hard for me to relate to the perfectly PC and virtuous, and it’s boring besides.

I know your heart’s in the right place, Patrick, but Mutts ain’t as funny as it used to be.

Cat D

Patrick, I just want to foot-stomp what so many others have said here. I truly do appreciate your support of veganism, and I think your comic strip is really sweet, but showing a cat and dog sharing a veggie burger sends a very dangerous message. It seems to imply that cats and dogs can handle a plant-based diet, but the opposite is true. Cats, in particular, are likely to get very sick and even die if fed a plant-based diet. I know how much you care about animals, so I’m sure you would be horrified if the message in your comic strip led to the death of even one innocent pet. Could you devote one strip to clarifying your message and stressing that people should NOT feed their dogs or cats a vegan diet? You’d be doing the pet population a huge service. Thank you!

Kim Baer

I applaud your positive changes, but you need to go further. There are seldom, if ever people of color in your strip. As varied as the world of animals is, so is the world of mankind. Please develop new characters that show more diversity.

Diana Winthers

Bravo Patrick — keep up the good work. One of your most uplifting series; totally fits the heart of Mutts. But perhaps you need to do a “shorry!” strip in honor of all the Karens in this comment section who are so mortally offended by you expressing views counter to their own — in an artist’s comic strip that no one is forcing them to read. “Someone expressed a thought different than my own worldview — how rude!” It’s striking how defensive carnivores get when plant-based diets are discussed, no matter how carefully. Methinks you protest too much…

James Mitchell

I have to say I was completely and absolutely delighted to my toes when I read the first comic strip about the change to go vegan. I’m tickled pink! I too, have been vegetarian since I was a teenager,… long time ago, it was hard finding things like plant based milk. The only brand available was Vitasoy. I never craved meat and animal products, so being vegetarian was very easy. I finally went full on vegan 5 yrs ago. What changed me forever, was seeing a tractor trailer truck turning into a Tyson plant with about a hundred cages of chickens crammed into these cages. I lost my mind when I saw this and could’ve been arrested with my reflex reaction. Luckily my hubs was there to pull me back into my car. I vowed right there, never to contribute to this barbarism of eating any animal products. Nowadays it is very easy to find products and restaurants that cater to vegan, plan5 based food. Thank you Patrick… now let’s release Guard dog so my heart can really mend☺️

Valerie Jenkins

Thank you, Patrick! I love seeing the world through your eyes!

Peggie Gannon

I used to read this strip for fun and humor. Now I’m reading it only to see how far this is going to go. Church of veganism isn’t funny. It’s alienating. Especially to cats and dogs and their non-vegetarian owners.

Kimberly

Patrick, I appreciate Einstein’s quote. At my house, we are omnivores; however, I do try to prepare some plant-based meals. They’re good for us and can be very tasty. It seems like the evolution to plant-based diet has already begun. We are more aware of nutrition, economy, environmental issues, and what goes on in the meat industry. Someday, we may not have the choices we have now. Evolution, though, usually takes place over a longer period of time. People, especially Americans don’t want anything ‘forced down their throats’. I respect others’ decision to be Vegan or Vegetarian, and hope they’ll respect my decision to sometimes consume animal products. Meanwhile, I look forward to my Daily Mutts. Today’s comic is cute and has a message, but please don’t overdo it.

Sharon