Did you know? The very first MUTTS comic strip was published on September 5, 1994 — exactly 25 years ago! (Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun.)

First MUTTS Strip on September 5, 1994
Published on September 5, 1994

To honor this exciting milestone, we’re kicking off a year-long MUTTS 25th Anniversary celebration featuring online events, a multi-state book tour with Patrick, new products, fun sales and promotions, and more!

Starting today, we invite you to check out our 25th Anniversary Sale at the MUTTS Shop, where we’ve just added newly discounted products like tees, pillows, stationery, and pet items. (Psst … Through September 30, you can even use the promo code MUTTS25 to save an additional 20% off already marked-down goodies! )

Later this month, we will also begin accepting pre-orders for Patrick’s anniversary book The Art of Nothing, which will include a special selection of beloved MUTTS artwork, including never-before-seen sketches and paintings. This is important news for MUTTS lovers, since every pre-ordered copy of this book (purchased through the MUTTS Shop) will include a signature and a special one-of-a-kind doodle from Patrick!

Please make sure you’ve subscribed to our emails to stay updated about these offers. And if you haven’t already, we also suggest following us on Facebook and Instagram so that you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and fun.

Lastly, we invite you to share your stories with us about what MUTTS means to you. (Who’s your favorite character? How long have you been reading the strip? Has it helped you through a difficult time or inspired you to adopt?) Let us know in the comments or send us an email at [email protected]. We may even share your thoughts on our website or social media accounts! We look forward to hearing from you.

To all MUTTS readers — thank you for your support throughout the past 25 years. Here’s to many more adventures yet to come.

Yesh!

Comments (17)

My best friend, Laura, introduced MUTTS to me. I can’t remember how many years ago. I love reading the comics and the monthly newsletters. I also like buying some of the items that you have for sale.

Kathleen Barnett

I have loved Mutts for many years. So often one of my cats will do something and I think ‘that’s what
Mooch would do!’ I love all the cast and the Shelter Stories! Thanks so much for blessing all of us with their presence!

Bill Gannon

I have been reading MUTTS for 25 years! My Mom died a year ago this past August, she was also a fan. We often read MUTTS together during the last years of her life as I cared for her, always cutting out the ones that we just couldn’t get enough of. “Did you see what Mooch did today?” was often a rallying cry between us. Every Christmas, we’d gift her a MUTTS daily comic calendar and she was hard pressed to part with ANY of the pages; they became bookmarks, a place to write me a little note or just a comfort to have by her bedside or on the refrigerator. Our dear Mimser, my German Shepherd was my first mammal pet at age 25 followed by Mr. a tabby cat 2 years later. They are always in my heart. All these years later between Mom, Veronica ( my only child) and me, we have rescued more cats than we can remember. 5 of them came to us just prior to Hurricane Sandy; we placed 3 in good homes and kept the other 2 eventually evacuating with them and our other 3 (5 cats in 2 carriers in the Coast Guard boat that pulled up to our front door the day after the storm). I now live here in Washington, DC with one of the rescues, Lilly (she is definitely the female Mooch!) and Mom’s other dear kitty friends are living a life of extreme luxury with my dear friend John back in NJ in a large home with ocean view and a new “boy friend”, Harry.

Thank you Patrick, for all your wonderful work, outreach through the arts and poignant sense of humor. While I love Earl, my heart belongs to Mooch and Crabby!

Warmest regards,
Karen La Du

PS I now send my daughter and dear friends my favorites via email. I keep super favorites on my desktop for inspiration (I am a working artist, art educator, environmentalist and vegan).

Karen La Du

I would love to see a t-shirt of Shnelly holding all the hearts. It would be nice if it could be pink but that would limit purchases I think.
Anyway, just a thought.

MaryAnn Duckworth

MUTTS means a great deal to me and I can’t believe it has been 25 years of the strip’s laughter, compassion, philosophy, and humanity. I ready the strip daily, along with my mother, my sister, and my husband. “Did you see today’s MUTTS?” is a common refrain among us. We have several framed prints around the house, and just about every book too. We see aspects of the whimsical Mooch in all our kitties throughout the years, Rusty, Jamie, Gemini, Katie, Cassie, and Jilly; love the gentle sweetness and wisdom of Earl and Shtinky; and long for the day when the great Guard Dog is finally freed from his chain. Mr. McDonnell is a true artist. He has given me the gift of seeing the world differently, and the the gift of hope and renewal, with his funny yet at times heart-rending storylines, sweet characters, and vivid drawings. 25 years ago I didn’t think anything could come close to CALVIN AND HOBBES in my heart, yet MUTTS has greatly surpassed that iconic strip. Mr. McDonnell, you are a genius; your talent and your love for animals have made your strip a beacon of light. You have amazingly filled a blank page daily with insight and joy for over 25 years, and I hope you can continue for 25 more. If I may quote you, I bow to your wow. Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us!

Jill

What a lovely, gentle comic strip for a noisy, cantankerous world! Thanks for sharing your fun with us!

JR

Mutts and family have been with us for 3 deployments, many stressful events , lots of joy. I am so thankful to God for all of you . Keep the wonderful world of Mutts coming my way!

Marla A Heath