What MUTTS Means to You: To Inspire and Encourage

To celebrate 25 years of MUTTS, we’re asking 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 appreciative of all the messages we’ve received, and we will continue responses throughout the coming months — so please comment below if you have memories to share. Thank you for the love!

“I have gifted numerous MUTTS books to encourage others while facing difficulties!” — David Avery

“I’m thankful for MUTTS! Patrick makes me laugh, cry, and always makes me think!” — Kristin Jones

“Thank you, Patrick, for opening our eyes to healthy, humane choices available to all of us. Also, your respect for knowledge and tolerance help make this world a better place.” — Pamela Cappello

Strip-062720 — *Published June 27, 2020*

“Patrick has such talent and helps share the shelter and rescue world with all of us. You are my hero!” — Kerry Koppin

“I absolutely LOOOVE MUTTS! Thank you for encouraging adoption and kindness to all animals.” — Susan W Hopkins

Strip-110619 — *Published November 6, 2019*

“MUTTS’ great characters, humor, style, heartfelt kindness, and loving innocence have been an inspiration to my art.” — Kathy Flanigan

“Thank you, Patrick, for spreading the love for animals throughout the world!” — Vivian Morefield Andary

Strip-112719 — *Published November 27, 2019*

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.

Comments (9)

Thank you so much, Megan! We are honored that you’ve named your very own furry friend, Mooch!
Brittany Turner

YOUR ART AND STORIES AFFORD US ALL A MOMENT TO REFRAME THE DAY OR OUR MOOD OR SITUATION. WHAT A GREAT GIFT! OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SHARED THOSE PRECIOUS GIFTS WITH MY DAUGHTER, GRANDSON AND MANY FRIENDS. YOUR ARTWORK IS ON THE WALL IN MY GRANDSON’S BEDROOM..I HAVE SHARED COPIES OF THE GIFT OF NOTHING AND THE INCREDIBLE ABC BOOK WITH NIECES’ NEPHEWS AND FRIENDS BOTH YOUNG AND OLD.YOUR WORK BOTH AS A CREATOR AND AN ADVOCATE HELP ALL OF US CREATURES. A HUMBLE THANK YOU TO YOU.
Stephen LeMaresquier

I love the strips with little pink sock. You seem to have a great knowledge and sensitivity to the minds of animals. As a race, too many humans treat animals as a thing instead of a sensitive being. Thank you for all you do and teach in your strips. Many of your strips cause me to either laugh or cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Heather Stagg

My boy Maxwell was like Woofie. He had no enemies. He worshiped cats as his gods. Even people afraid of dogs quickly learned that he was nothing but happiness and joy. Max would not chase people but he always approached them with a smile and a gentle wag of the tail. He had learned not to jump on folks. If they appeared afraid or hesitant, he would stand, wag his tail, and seem to say “Next time!” and walk away. Soon people would pet him and learn he just enjoyed their company. Soon they would tell others afraid of dogs, “That is just Max. He is okay.” I miss him so much.

Your strips always make me think of Maxwell and make me smile. I will admit to tearing up over the sentiments. I cannot tell you how much I look forward everyday to your strip. My current dog, Miss Red Velvet, is a rescue who spent a year in shelter. She is just as loving as Maxwell but a bit more exuberant. But she is learning how to be a great dog ambassador. Especially as she is large but gentle as they come. We have been so lucky with our kids.

Thank you for making my days always start with love.
Susan L Hall

I have been an animal shelter volunteer, a dog walker, for 23 years in San Clemente CA. A day without Mutts is a day without joy, laughter or hope. I truly wish everyone who has a device would get a Mutts pop-up every single day. Perhaps the world would be a better place, as is my home every morning. Thank you Patrick.
Denise Gee

In this chaotic and mean-spirited time I find that the truths expressed in your work remind me of all the beauty, kindness, and compassion that there is in this world – and that these hard times, too, shall pass.
Pat Scrivner

My mom and I used to read the Sunday comics together every week. Mutts was always the first one I read. We also had many Mutts books. Mutts was very influential in developing my love for animals and the planet, and my appreciation for the little things. Over the years, I’ve put many a cut-out Mutts comic strip on my fridge.
When I got my tuxedo kitty 13.5 years ago, I just had to name him Mooch! Now, I read the comic in my email every morning and it always makes me smile. And Mooch is the sweetest cat I’ve ever known, just like his namesake!!
Megan Mauk

Schnelly! I look forward to Moochie seranading her. When will we see more than her ears?
Susan Winston

Kindness, love and compassion. Rare things these days. I get my daily dose with Mutts, every day. Love that Mooch. We’ve been lucky to have more than our share of Mooch’s in our lives. Thank you.
Peter Bondante