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.

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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’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

The first thing I’ve done every morning since Guard Dog’s story began was to open my computer to see what was happening. My husband would see me open the computer and ask anxiously what was happening with Guard Dog that day. We both celebrated his health and freedom, and will continue to do so.

Carolyn Canon

I have been following along with Guard Dog’s story and I will freely admit that I cried several times over the course of the adventure. I think Sparky is the absolute perfect name for his new life and I can’t wait to see him live happily ever after with Doozy. Sniff. Who’s got a tissue?

Erika K.