To celebrate 25 years of MUTTS, we asked readers to tell us what the strip means to them, and to share some of their best memories of Mooch, Earl, and the rest of the crew.
We are so appreciative of the messages we continue to receive, and we will post your responses throughout the coming months — so please comment below if you have additional memories to share. Thank you for your love and support!
“I know that MUTTS is influenced by the works of past great cartoonists like Herriman and Segar. I went to the NCSFest and listened to Mr. McDonnell talk about MUTTS and give a chalk talk and then appear on a panel about George Herriman. There was also a NCS Popeye art show where cartoonists drew little tributes to the immortal sailor man. In it Mr. McDonnell had drawn and watercolored a tiny little happy Jeep who could have easily been Mooch or Earl’s pal. Mooch and Earl to me carry on a tradition of past cartooning. Even though I can’t see them, I’m sure just in the next yard or behind a bush I’d find Snoopy, or Spooky, or Krazy or the Jeep. I’m sure Mooch and Earl know them.” — Dale C.
“Mooch and his little pink sock remind me of all the cats I’ve loved that had an affinity for socks. It also reminds me to find joy in the little things.” — Kait M.
“I discovered MUTTS shortly after my father died. The first MUTTS book collection and several others were in his library. That was 2004. I have been an avid reader and collector of MUTTS items ever since. As much as I love the two “boys,” my favorite character is Shtinky Puddin’, aka “Jules.” I love all the strips that he’s in but there is one special one where he is writing a letter to a tiger. It’s from several years back. That he wants to save tigers is one of his most endearing qualities. I love tigers, too.” — Mary Preston
“Recently in mute mode, I turned on the TV. It was the news, you could tell the politicians were angry, frowning, waving their arms, pointing fingers, very upset — so I turned off the TV. I feel our entire U.S. country is so angry over too many issues, taking it out on innocent people. Then I read the daily MUTTS: Hey Jules, what’cha doing? I’ve started an ‘endangered list.’ What’s on it? Empathy, compassion, kindness etc.
“Then I started to cry! I cut it out of the paper, and it’s on the front of our refrigerator. Thanks for continuing with daily comic strips we can relate to in our own lives. There’s a lot of love in them; I’m a fan!” — Connie D.
“If I had to choose a favorite MUTTS cartoon, I would have to choose the one which hung on my refrigerator for years where Mooch wants to bring about world peace by asking everyone to do all they can to make their kitties purr, thus creating a huge purr throughout the cosmos. I think Patrick does much the same thing every day by creating a huge smile throughout the cosmos. There just aren’t words enough to express my appreciation for the gift of MUTTS. Boundless blessings to you!” — Ariel Riter
Have your own MUTTS story to tell? Let us know in the comments or email us at [email protected].
Want to read more stories from MUTTS lovers? Stay tuned for more posts like this throughout the rest of 2020, because we’re celebrating 25 years of MUTTS for a full 12 months!
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