THE MUTTS 30TH ANNIVERSARY!
Celebrating 30 Years of MUTTS
MUTTS began publication 30 years ago, on September 5, 1994.
Over the past three decades, Patrick McDonnell's award-winning MUTTS comic strip has won the hearts of animal lovers and art enthusiasts around the world. Join us as we celebrate 30 years of friendship, kindness, and simple joys from the furry characters that so many have come to know and love.
Readers Share Their Memories
Share Your Favorite MUTTS Memory
Whether you're new to MUTTS or have been with Earl and Mooch since the very beginning, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Send us a note or a video sharing a favorite MUTTS memory, or telling us what MUTTS means to you.
MUTTS Through the Years
Take a walk down memory lane with Earl, Mooch, and their pals!
1994
On Monday, September 5, 1994, the first MUTTS comic strip appeared in seventy-five newspapers. It all started with Earl, a sweet little dog based on Patrick McDonnell’s own Jack Russell terrier. In developing this “dog strip,” Patrick sketched some ideas about Earl meeting a cat next door. He had hoped this would be good fodder for a week-or-two’s worth of gags. But in the style of most felines, Mooch wandered into the comic strip and took over.
In those last four months of 1994, we were introduced to the main cast — Earl and his Ozzie, Mooch and his guardians, Frank and Millie, and the sad goldfish Sid. We visited for the first time Earl and Mooch’s favorite hangout, the Fatty Snax Deli, and its proprietor, Butchie. And ... we heard Mooch’s first “Yesh!”
September 12, 1994
"The early work was sketchy, drawn freehand. MUTTS’ puppy stage."
— PATRICK
September 29, 1994
1995
MUTTS began as a typical gag-a-day strip with occasional week-long themes and stories. But being a fan of the lost art of adventure/continuity strips, Patrick created his first four-week-long storyline: Earl and Mooch getting lost in the woods.
In the fall of 1995, the acorn-tossing squirrels Bip and Bop made their first appearance. Then, we were introduced to Guard Dog — a “bad guy” who showed us the horrors that chained dogs endure. A tragic character destined to shine a light on the dark area of the human-animal relationship.
1996
In May of 1996, we were introduced to Mooch’s girlfriend, Shnelly, a demure house cat depicted as two ears behind a window. This was also the year Patrick started the tradition of the cast going “down the shore” for the summer. It opened the strip up to a whole new locale with characters to explore, including the lovable crab Crabby.
The year ended with a four-week-long holiday fable featuring a lost tabby whom Earl and Mooch named Shtinky Puddin’.
"I started reading MUTTS when I was about ten years old, at my parents' kitchen table one summer. Every morning, I'd have a bowl of cereal and page through to find Earl and Mooch, and together we'd go on tiny adventures.
"My own Jack Russell, Abbie, was there with us too. Reading MUTTS now keeps me in touch with that little girl, that dog, the wonders of a summer with nothing to do but stay home and read comics."
— Stephanie Trott
1997
In September, Patrick introduced Woofie, a big golden retriever-type of dog, who jumped up into the strip and proceeded to give it sloppy kisses. He also told the story of Phillipe and Phoebe, the tragic love between a free bird and a caged parakeet during migrating season.
At the end of the year, Patrick drew two stories in a row that would later play a major part in the world of MUTTS. The first was about Mooch falling asleep in a fog and waking up thinking he must be in heaven. The second was about Mooch’s quest to find the perfect gift for Earl. Eight years later these two tales became inspirations for the first to MUTTS children’s books, "Just Like Heaven" and "The Gift of Nothing."
1998
In May, with the help of a common dish towel, Mooch channeled the link to his ancient Egyptian past and became the all-knowing Shphinx. A master of the inshcrutable wise riddle and the unbearable bad pun.
On November 2, 1998 — inspired by the Humane Society of the United States’ National Animal Shelter Awareness Week — Patrick launched the now-beloved series “Shelter Stories.” Over the years Patrick has received many letters from people who say they were moved to adopt or to volunteer as a result of these strips.
November 1, 1998
"I managed our local county animal services division/shelter before my retirement. (During this time we reduced euthanasia by over 90 percent.) I shared every Shelter Stories strip with the staff while I was there. MUTTS is rare in its understanding of what shelter workers do!"
— Deborah Wood
November 2, 1998
"Back in 2019, I fostered my first dog. He came from a hoarding situation in West Virginia. I brought him back to the shelter to have him neutered and put up for adoption. I cried for days. Shelter Stories was the topic for the following week and 'Buddy' said, 'Come. Get. Me.' The next day was 'Lenny' who said: 'Pick me. Please.' I took this as a sign from above to go back and get this dog!
"I named him Lenny. He was 10 years old and was THE BEST, with such a personality! He blossomed with nutritious food and love. Regrettably, I only had Lenny for two years before he passed from a heart attack. But without the divine intervention through the MUTTS comic strip, I wouldn't have had those two wonderful years with him."
— Angela Debellis
1999
In 1999, Shtinky found his calling as a spokeskitten for endangered animals. Being an orange tabby, he identifies most with the wild tiger. These story lines featuring Shtinky try to remind us of the bigger picture. Sourpuss, on the other hand, represents the cat who wants to be left alone. He’s also Patrick’s comic archetype for the negativity we find in so much of today’s entertainment.
At the close of the year, Patrick drew one of his favorite stories, in which Mooch falls down a hole and has a near-death experience. He meets his “first life,” a little Mooch with angel wings. It’s a spiritual journey with a little cat spirit.
2000
In the summer of 2000, Patrick and his wife, Karen, had the opportunity to visit the African countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. It was a transformative experience for Patrick, who that October introduced the first “Mooch Dreams of Africa” strips.
2001
In January, Mooch began his obsession with the Little Pink Sock, which has since become one of the most beloved and iconic “characters” in the strip. It's a symbol for life's little treasures — complete with a song whose melody is left to the reader's imagination.
In November, Earl and Mooch visited a farm to help celebrate National Farm Animals Awareness Week, hosted annually by the Humane Society of the United States to improve the lives of farm animals.
real-life kitties ... and their little pink socks!
2002
The year started off with Mooch in Earl in Frank and Millie’s big cozy bed, preparing to hibernate through the winter. (But in typical Mooch fashion, the one thing he doesn’t do while hibernating is actually sleep.)
This was also the year that the MUTTS characters began sharing their To-Do lists, inspired by Patrick’s musings about what his own cat’s daily to-do list might look like.
The comic strip from September 11 was drawn to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11.
September 11, 2002
2003
In 2023 Mooch introduced us to his pet, a snail he affectionately and teasingly named Little Earl. (Though we later learn that to his fellow mollusks, he's known as "Speed-o.")
During Shelter Stories week, we met Chickpea and Chickpea’s Brother for the first time. Many readers took to this feline duo and were quite worried about them when the week ended with the pair still homeless at the shelter. Due to popular demand, Patrick had them successfully adopted as a team the following April.
2004
This year, Mooch introduced the MUTTS Book Club, a punny get-together where he and other animal characters recite from their favorite novels.
And of course, in April, readers rejoiced in the adoption of Chickpea and Chickpea’s Brother, who found their forever home — together.
"I had a student in my library who had struggled with reading and had turned to hating books in general. He did, however, love animals. I had three precious paperback MUTTS collections so we struck a deal. If he took a chance on one and still hated reading, I would stop pestering him so much. If he picked it up and liked it, then he would check out the next one and maybe be willing to take a chance on some other things.
"He didn't have a chance. He fell in love and not only read the three, but he would check them out again with OTHER books and began creating some drawings and comics of his own. One of the best memories ever."
— Natalie Ezell
2005
Enter Ms. Lulu the Pet Psychic, who in 2005 began advising the pet parents of the MUTTS neighborhood about their furry family members’ unspoken wishes (like more bellyrubs, of course.)
2007
In July 2007, Mooch and Earl took their first trip to Yellowstone. They started with a visit to Old Faithful, and went on to meet many wild animals who call this national park home.
2008
In April, Mooch and Earl appeared in MUTTS’ first week-long “Earth Days” celebration, featuring quotes about expressing love for our precious planet. In August, Patrick published one of the most popular MUTTS strips to date — an illustrated, animal-friendly take on the spiritual poem “Footprints in the Sand.”
August 8, 2008
"The 'Footprints' comic touched my heart in such a profound way. When I adopted my first rescue dog Scruffy, my life was forever changed. When he passed away, I was devastated, to say the least. I had a very old copy of this comic on my fridge for years. Looking at the picture of Ozzie carrying Earl brought me such comfort. Even though Ozzie is carrying Earl, I feel like my Scruffy 'carried' me by coming into my life."
— Mary LenahaN
2010
In July, Shtinky Puddin’ appeared in a week’s worth of comic strips honoring his hero, Dr. Jane Goodall. The strips celebrated the 50th anniversary of the day Dr. Goodall began her research at what is now Gombe Stream National Park.
This November's Shelter Stories featured the heartbreaking and hopeful tale of “Anne,” a puppy mill breeder dog who found a home and a happy ending at the end of the week-long series.
2011
Patrick introduced his first MUTTS Comic “Cons” series in July of 2011. Timed for the kick-off of Comic-Con season, this series featureed unlikely protagonists — like “The Invisible Cat” and “Dr. Shtrange” — in tribute to the classic comic superheroes that have inspired Patrick throughout the years.
The following month, Shtinky Puddin’ (aka “Jules”) had his first dreams of India. In this week-long series, he met a tiger, a peacock, an elephant, and other magnificent wild creatures.
2013
In November, Millie announced to her husband Frank: “This year, we’re having a vegan Thanksgiving!” Despite plenty of grumbling, Frank ultimately enjoyed the meal and even asked for more. Afterward, in a field, one turkey said to another: “It’s nice not to be wanted.”
2014
Sourpuss, the surly scaredy-cat, stepped behind the news anchor desk in January 2014 to bring us a breaking story: “It’s Monday.” Since then, Sourpruss has resumed his anchor role on various occasions, sometimes with the help of furry co-hosts.
2015
In May, Patrick used his first Shelter Series week of the year to share updates about former Shelter Stories animals, including two dogs, a pair of bonded cats, a chicken, a hamster, and a feline foster fail. Spoiler alert: They all found their forever homes!
That fall, the MUTTS cast — animals and humans alike — began keeping Gratitude Journals.
"I discovered MUTTS from my mom. She loved Mooch and Earl! We didn't live physically close for awhile, so I signed up for the daily comic so we could chat about what Mooch and Earl were up to — and since she wasn't great with computers, I sent her the daily email so she could see it on her computer. After she passed, I missed the habit of emailing her the daily comic but I continue to feel that connection with her every day when I open that email to read the newest adventure."
— Rita Geraghty
2016
In February, Patrick drew a Shelter Stories series based on real-life animals at Animal Care Centers of NYC, one of the largest municipal shelters in the country. He met these animals while filming a segment with the PBS show ShelterMe.
2017
In collaboration with poet Daniel Ladinsky, Patrick released the book "Darling, I Love You" in January 2017. The following month, a selection of poems and illustrations from the book appeared in the MUTTS strip around the week of Valentine’s Day.
2018
A Sunday strip, published October 14, 2018, featured a colorful autumn image of Ozzie and Earl in the woods, along with a quote from Ram Dass: “We’re all just walking each other home.” This strip became an instant favorite among MUTTS readers.
October 14, 2018
"The MUTTS comic that used the quote, 'We are all just walking each other home' had a big impact on me. The art that accompanied the quote was perfect. It brought me such peace. Thank you."
— Rebecca Davis
2019
Patrick had the privilege to meet the legendary artist Joe Sinnott, known since the 1960s for inking Marvel’s "Fantastic Four" series and many other beloved comics. During their visit, he took Joe up on an offer to ink a MUTTS Sunday page, and it inspired Patrick to do an homage to two classic Marvel covers.
2020
In February, Mooch discovered Shtinky hiding "down under" in the bed covers, heartbroken for the animals who perished in the 2019-2020 Australian wildfires. Shortly after, Shtinky took to the city streets with picket signs that read: "Save the Koalas. Save the Planet. Save That Thought."
That summer, Patrick made good on a promise he'd previously made to readers (and to himself) — that Butchie and his Fatty Snax Deli would go vegan. This transition happened in June, after Butchie visited a farm sanctuary and looked into the eyes of a pig, a cow, and a chicken. In doing research ahead of this storyline, Patrick learned that Butchie would not be unique, as there are already vegan butcher shops around the world. This reassured Patrick that it was realistic to have Butchie make the switch.
June 14, 2020
"Thank you for this turn in the story line of MUTTS. The popularity of MUTTS gives you a platform to share how the world can be different."
— Babs D.
June 17, 2020
2023
On January 22, Mooch and Earl appeared in a Sunday strip featuring a quote from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The title panel for this strip is an homage to the cover of "Heart to Heart," the collaborative book from Patrick and the Dalai Lama, which was released two days later.
On October 1, the furry duo appeared in another Sunday strip modeled after Patrick's graphic novel "The Super Hero's Journey," published on September 26, 2023.
In late 2023, Patrick created a long-awaited tale nearly three decades in the making: Guard Dog’s freedom story. This seven-week tale showed Guard Dog being abandoned by his owner and left alone to suffer, then discovered by his animal friends Mooch and Earl — and ultimately rescued by Doozy and Ozzie. On November 30, Ozzie broke the chain for good. On December 14, Doozy adopted Guard Dog — marking the end of a long life of neglect and the beginning of one filled with love. The next day, Doozy revealed the pup’s new name: Sparky, a nod to one of Patrick’s greatest artistic inspirations, Charles Schulz.
I love comics. I love black and white, pen and ink, words and pictures. I love their code. I love the rhythm in a line, the rhythm of dialogue, the rhythm of a gag. I love their simplicity, immediacy, intimacy, and absurdity. I love their pie-eyed optimism.
I'm most concerned with the feel of a comic strip — what lies behind the word balloons and funny drawings. A good comic has its own personality. ... With MUTTS I aim for a type of quiet joy.
MUTTS celebrates the simple. It remembers the familiar, friendly faces we see for maybe just a moment every day — the neighbor walking his dog, the bird on a branch, the shopkeeper behind the counter, the cat in the window.
— Patrick McDonnell