A Letter From Patrick: The Guard Dog Story

The time was now.

On November 1st, the Guard Dog story began running in newspapers and on MUTTS.com. And, today, this part of Guard Dog’s journey comes to a happy ending and new beginning.

I've been promising you (and myself) for too many years that someday he would be free, and while a few animal advocates have continued to lobby that Guard Dog still has a job to do, many more agreed it was time. Freeing Guard Dog became the longest MUTTS story ever.

Telling a tale like this in a daily comic strip is a different reading experience. Media today trains us for immediate satisfaction for our dwindling attention spans. Telling a longer story with only three panels every 24 hours for seven weeks adds a lot of tension and, I’ve learned, anxiousness. I appreciated your patience and faith.

It was emotional for me, too, in writing and drawing the story — but when I think of all the horrors poor chained dogs have to endure in real life, I knew his story must be told. Guard Dog is made of pen and ink. There are far too many real dogs living chained with far worse stories to tell.

Gretchen Wyler, actress, animal activist and founder of The Ark Trust, famously said: “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.”

I've been touched by all the comments on the MUTTS social media posts. I've always hoped readers would care about and relate to the MUTTS characters as they do their own furry loved ones. It is heartening that so many of you have written to say that Guard Dog (now Sparky) and Doozy inspired you to help a chained dog, or that one of your own dogs lived their life at the end of a chain until you gave them a loving, forever home. May this comic strip story open more hearts to help chained dogs.

For those who have wondered about Guard Dog’s new name — I wasn't sure what Doozy would call him. Initially I thought to just keep "Guard Dog" as now he would be Doozy’s guardian. But then I thought of “Sparky." Sparky was the nickname for Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. There would never have been a MUTTS comic strip nor Guard Dog if not for his inspiration. So Guard Dog’s new name is my tribute to a great man, cartoonist, and friend.

Thank you for all your support, kind words, and love. And thank you to all the rescuers and shelter workers — the real unsung heroes.

Patrick

P.S. I’ve been getting a lot of requests to turn the Guard Dog story into a book. More on that, soon.

***

If you know of a real-life Guard Dog or want to help with legislation, visit MUTTS.com/GuardDog for more information.

— Alison Datko

Comments (53)

I loved Guard Dog and felt sad for him for years. I loved his interaction with the full moon especially and the sweet things Doozy would do to help him out.
When Farley died in the “For Better Or Worse” comic strip I was heartbroken but it made sense since all the characters were getting older in real time, and he had been stressed rescuing the little girl.

Seeing Guard Dog realize that his owner was moving away, leaving him behind was even more horrifying. I had to check my emails for each update.

Even after I knew he was rescued, I was telling the story to my non-Mutts follower sister, and that part of the story had both of us crying.

It’s comforting to know that she and I are not the only ones who were hit so hard.

Please do make a book.

Jo-Ann Kamichitis

I want to THANK YOU so much for the Guard Dog story. It was the first page I turned to every day, hoping and praying you would let him be saved by his friends who loved him. Thank you for saving Guard dog, for giving him a loving home with people who love him and a name. I know his story is rare, but thank you for waking everyone up to how important it is to be aware and involved in their communities so it doesn’t have to be rare. ❤️

Kathy day

Before today I was unfamiliar with your comic strip. I saw an article about the Guard Dog story on the Comics Beat website and came to check it out. It only took a few minutes to read, but I bawled my eyes out. I was so afraid that Guard Dog would die before he could get help, and so happy that he was finally saved by Doozy. You’re a hell of an artist, my friend. A hell of an artist.

Jon Samuelson

Like everyone commenting here, the last 7 weeks have been filled with so many emotions. My husband and I have been reading Mutts for years and years. Guard Dog has always broken my heart and it saddened me that he was living such a miserable life. When this series started, we opened the paper first thing and went right to the days story. I knew (or at least I hoped) in my heart that it had to end up good that you would never allow him to suffer even on paper but still I kept fearing there might be roadblocks before he could finally have his freedom. For those who think he still needs his “job”, I believe he will certainly be as you said, the guardian to Doozy and family. That’s the best job ever. Thank you for the best Christmas present to all the Mutts fans everywhere!

Nancy Shannon

The saga of Guard Dog was as touching to me as the run of strips in Doonesbury in which the character Lacey Davenport passed away from old age. You are to be congratulated!

My heart ached for Guard Dog and I look forward to reading about his happy adventures with Doozy and the rest of the gang in the weeks to come.

Please consider publishing the Guard Dog saga in book form.

Thank you for the joy I get in reading your work!

Gary Lipkin

I take the daily newspaper AZ Republic and pretty much go to the comics section first since the front page news is filled with crisis in one form or another. I’ve always read MUTTS first; and I had no conception as to the back story of Guard Dog. Every day through his final freedom, I anxiously awaited what the outcome would be. To be able to relate this reality through a comic strip is heartfelt genius!!!! We as humans have a responsibility to all creatures. And the sooner the better.

Maryanne

I read Mutts everyday. But in reading this series, I would wake up early to check out Guard Dog. I have emailed several times to free Guard Dog. This was a great Christmas present. I like many others would love to purchase a book about Sparky. Thanks so much for seeing this story through.

Linda B

Thank you so much for the wonderful story. It now has extra special meaning to me because you named him “Sparky”. My Jack Russell Terrier Sparkie crossed the Rainbow Bridge this past Spring. Many days after reading MUTTS we would all comment that you must have a camera in our house because Earl was doing exactly what Sparkie had done a few days before. I’ve even posted his picture in comments at times. I will be a forever MUTTS fan. You are truly gifted and blessed. Thank you again.

Geri Suto

Geri Suto

What more can be said. Guard Dog’s freedom lifted my heart and I cried like a baby with happiness.

William Johnson

I was so delighted when Sparky was adopted by Doozy’s family. Loved the picture of Sparky sleeping on Doozy’s bed. I followed each strip for weeks, always anxious to see what the next strip would bring. I am truly happy now that he is free in belonging to a person who loves him so.

Susan Urang