A Note From Patrick: January 2026

Dear friends,

As we step into the year ahead, I want to begin with gratitude for you, your kindness, and for the good things you do.

Each of us enters a new year carrying our own stories, many which are invisible to everyone else. I’m reminded that an important thing we can offer one another is kindness. The simple act of being there, of noticing, of caring, of helping. 

As Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” 

How we treat one another, and how we treat animals, truly matters.

This January, as we observe Unchain a Dog Month, I think about freedom. Not only the absence of chains but the presence of dignity, safety, and love. These ideas are at the heart of Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, a story that grew from the belief that no one should be forgotten or left behind.

I remain deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring that book into the world: Abrams ComicArts, the mutts.com team, and especially Marisol Thomas who, together with her husband Rob Thomas, wrote an introduction filled with compassion and heart. Their words remind me that advocacy is simply love made visible.

Looking ahead in the MUTTS world: In April, we’ll introduce You and Me, the next MUTTS treasury, which includes the entire seven-week-long Guard Dog story as it originally appeared in the newspapers.

I’m also enthused about a new book series with Abrams ComicArts, coming later this year. They’ll be printing every MUTTS Sunday page starting from the very beginning in a beautiful "artsy" hardcover book format. The first five years will be released in 2026, appearing in two volumes that will be available as a box set. MUTTS has never looked better.

Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping make the world a little kinder, one moment at a time. It’s more important than ever.

Yours,
Patrick

***

 

— Ali Datko

Comments (16)

Before he passed away, my Dad would cut out the Mutts cartoons and mail them to me. Our Nashville paper didn’t carry it. Now 11 years later, I still have the envelopes stuffed with those clippings. The live from my Dad and your creations give me comfort every day!

Peggy Sperrazza

I second the sentiment from Blue. Now more than ever, we need to do kindness, not just remember it. My old daily newspaper went totally on the internet, and I do enough work on the computer to not enjoy reading for pleasure. The paper I get now on Sundays, their comics do not carry Mutts. I really missed it. Of all the cut-out comic strips that had adorned my old refrigerator, only 3 made the move to my new house. 2 of the 3 are Mutts. Joy should be as simple as loving a kitten, puppy and all other animals out there.

Maggy

Yes, it would be a great idea to have animated cartoons of Mooch and Earl and the gang-but put in on DVD or Blur-ay!!! That way we would have it for always.
Also, please have plushies made!! Who would not want to cuddle up with Mooch and Earl! Please, have them made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks.

Jason and Kelly

Would love to see either an animated movie of the adventures of Earl & Mooch or better yet, a weekly hour cartoon of the same.

Also, coming soon, pics of my front door foyer, one wall painted pink with 30-40 framed strips.
And checkout my Instagram page to see how much I LOVE Mutts. Jobman44

Scott Jones

Patrick, you and the MUTTS friends give me a little joy and laughter each morning. I read your comic with my coffee (in a Mooch mug!) while sitting in my chair with my tuxedo cat Joe and watching the birds at our feeder. This is my tiny bit of peace in the current craziness. Thank you for sparking kindness and hope in our world.

Laurie Kiernicki

Thank you, Patrick, for reminding us daily to cherish kindness and innocence. It’s rough right now in America and seeing what love looks like on three panels every day gives the heart just a smidge of respite before having to brave the day ahead.

Blue