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 have cried and prayed and jumped for joy following “Guard Dog”!

Thank you for bringing to the light this situation that goes on DAILY in the U.S. especially Louisiana where I reside.

Cindy marrus

My dad passed away before the freedom of Patrick’s Guard Dog storyline. I promised my dad that Mr McDonnell would free him, but my dad wasn’t so sure because he explained the need to educate was greater than the freedom we all wished for this comic strip doggy. In my heart there is a kitchen table in heaven where my dad sits reading an actual paper with the Guard Dog story conclusion and he’s smiling down on Patrick McDonnell right now.

Heather Carr

We need a ’Guard Dog (Sparky)" graphic novel, maybe with stories of actual chained dogs.

Sherie L Novotny

Today’s generations will never get to experience the joy of opening up the morning paper and quickly turning to the most important part – the comics section (or the funnies as they were often called). But thanks to people like you Patrick, the legacy of the comic strip as literature and art will carry on into the digital age. The story you were able to craft three panels at a time, the emotions you were able to evoke, and the passion for activism you have inspired is a testament to the legitimacy of the art form and your excellence in it. In the age of AI we all were given a master class in why human creation will never be replaced by automation, because AI can’t come close to the majesty of the heartful words and pictures you have bestowed upon us for these seven weeks, and all the years before. Thank you for touching our hearts and reminding us that humanity still exists.

Ellen N

Thank you, Patrick, for always lifting up all the dogs and kitties and other animals we bring into our hearts and homes. My Strider (a Jagdterrier) wasn’t a chained dog, but he is a rescue from a shelter. He has had some difficult quirks to overcome, and I often wonder how someone else would have dealt with them… would he end up back in the shelter? I’m not a perfect pet parent, but I committed to Strider, and Sparky’s story in particular has reminded me to continue to love my pup with all I have, and make each of his days filled with affection and a happy, safe home! <3

Lisa Whitaker

I don’t think I’ve ever been invested in a comic strip the way I have been with this one and this story arc.

I don’t have a dog (I love all animals, but I’m a cat person. I had five until two went over the Rainbow Bridge three months apart this year) and have had more in my life. The guard dog story touched my heart in a way none has. It broke my heart thinking about man’s inhumanity to creatures that we’re supposed to protect. I have adopted and loved abandoned animals and would never think of abandoning them like their previous owners did. Sparky’s journey has opened the eyes of many readers, including myself about the plight of tethered dogs. Here in Maine, we have tether laws, but NY, where I’m originally from, does it. At one time, I lived next door to an old…(I won’t use the word I want to) had a tethered dog in his yard. The dog was out there 24/7 365. I called the ASPCA and the humane society and they refused to intervene. That poor animal had only an overhang to protect him from the elements and barked constantly, to which the old man would yell “SHUTUP PRINCE!” Maybe the dog wouldn’t have barked if he brought him inside. My only wish is that this guy is in hell, tethered to something. I’m sorry for going on, but thank you for such a beautiful story, Patrick and bless you for all the good work you do for animals big and small.

Regina Wolfe

Patrick, Thank you for the inspiring story of Doozy and Sparky. Too many times animal advocates aim to hit the hearts (and pocketbooks) of their audience with whining, fake tear-choked actors begging folks to help them free these poor animals. Doozy and her gang makes us see how to put our emotions into action and turns us into the whining, tear-choked actors.
Thank you.

Cheryl K

My heart has been so broken by Guard Dog’s suffering for so long, that I could almost not believe the wonderful Christmas present of his freedom this year – I kept worrying about a complication. Thank you, Patrick, and I will buy multiple books if and when they appear- what a gift to be able to give to others.

Mary Knasinski

I’ve followed Mutts from the very beginning. My heart broke every time I saw Guard Dog on the chain. In my brain, I knew it was only pen and ink, but in my heart, I knew it was a representation of so many chained dogs. These past seven weeks have been a source of anxiety, hope, then joy as the story played out. Every morning I checked online to see the latest update. It was truly so well thought out and poignant as to how the story developed. I’m so very thankful that Sparky is free at last, and will enjoy enjoy his forever home with Doozy. Please, make a book so we can all relive this momentous event! Thank you for this and for all the stories in years past!

Elisabeth Bergt

Thank you Patrick for all of the stories you have told. But Sparky’s story is the one which captured a nation of followers and believers in all that should be right jn the world. We look forward to all of his friends, old and new, welcoming him to his new life with Doozy 💕

Sheila N