Wag! gets nod from "National Parenting Publications Awards"!

We are so pleased to announce that Patrick McDonnell's Wag! is among eleven books for pre-schoolers and up to receive a 2009 Honors Award from "National Parenting Publications Awards." Here's how NAPPA decribes Wag!:

"Mooch the cat tries to explain what makes Earl's tail wag. Sparse illustrations and just a few carefully selected words bring out the fun in this charming offering."

Thanks also to Vegbooks for its recent review of Wag!:

"Why does Earl's tail wag -- fwip fwip fwip? Young readers will love the simple storyline of this book and its use of repetition, and parents will adore Patrick McDonnell's sweet little mutt and his appreciation of just about everything. Mr. McDonnell is a hero for animals and the people who love them, bringing simple messages of kindness and raising awareness through his widely read comic strip MUTTS. With Wag!, now even the littlest kids can enjoy his work."

And Children's Book Guide has this to say:

"Mooch the cat isn't exactly sure what it is that makes Earl's tail go fwip-fwap. Every time it happens, it's because of something different... Mooch eventually decides that it isn't just one thing -- it's what they all have in common. What else but love could make Earl's tail wiggle like that?"

What else but love, indeed?

Kiss Your Life Hello!

On February 24, the "Kiss Your Life Hello" radio show hosted our own Patrick McDonnell of Mutts comics, in a conversation about his collaboration with Eckhart Tolle on "Guardians of Being."

With text provided by Tolle, and illustrations by McDonnell, "Guardians of Being" contributes in its own way to the "arising of an enlightened humanity" through love of nature and our beloved companion animals. Patrick's insights can be heard online. Enjoy!

Muttscomics iGoogle theme - 7,000 users and climbing!

Imagine our excitement at Mutts when we discovered that there are more than 7,000 users of the new Muttscomics iGoogle theme! In case you're not aware, last summer, Google invited us to create a Muttscomics iGoogle theme. iGoogle is a customized internet homepage with lots of bells and whistles. Choosing the iGoogle Muttscomics theme allows you to have MUTTS images on your customized iGoogle homepage.

If you'd like to join the thousands of users now enjoying their customized Mutts homepage, and learn more about the wonders of iGoogle at the same time, here's how to get the theme. You'll love seeing Mutts every day on your home page... and please don't forget to give us some stars!

In The Year of the Tiger, Tigers Need You!

This wild tiger was photographed by a remote camera in Myanmar's Hukaung Valley tiger reserve. Unfortunately tigers are rare in the region, despite this protected area's enormous size. Tigers throughout Asia, from India to Siberia, are on the run from poachers and destroyed habitat.

Though scientists estimate that there are now only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, the fight to save this beautiful and important species is far from over.

Here are ways Mutts readers can help the effort:

* Be educated: Teach yourself about the challenges facing tigers. Knowledge will empower you to take further action! Check these sites: Save the Tiger Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, Sanctuary Asia.

* Be heard: Educate others by writing a short opinion piece or letter to the editor of your local paper about the problems tigers face, and what people can do to help save them. Add your name to thousands of other tiger supporters' at this new site!

* Be a forest friend: Demand for wood is causing the destruction of tiger forests throughout Asia. Learn about sustainable wood, and how to buy tiger-friendly furniture through the Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Action Network.

* Be an eco-citizen: The lifestyle of many Americans is hard on the global environment. We consume far more of the world's resources than people in developing countries. Anything you can do to adopt a greener lifestyle will help tigers and their habitats in faraway Asia!

* Be generous: Celebrate 2010, the Year of the Tiger, by donating to an organization that is working hard on behalf of the tiger: Panthera, Wildlife Conservation Society, TRAFFIC, World Wildlife Fund.

Celebrate Spay Day with MUTTS!

On Tuesday, February 23 is the Humane Society's Spay Day, and the Mutts strip appearing in newspapers that day will recognize this vital effort on behalf of companion animals across the U.S. and the world.

The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International will hold Spay Day events and activities in the U.S. and around the globe. Participate, have your own pet(s) spayed, and help inspire others to do the right thing for their cats and dogs.

The Year of the Tiger: Shtinky Commemorates!

2010 is a new Year of the Tiger, and this week on Muttscomics, four days of the Mutts comic strip will be devoted to the trials and tribulations of this magnificent animal. It has been twelve years since the last Year of the Tiger in 1998, and the fortunes of the iconic cat have been plummeting.

Shtinky will share his thoughts and feelings about his beloved tigers with Mooch and Earl. Watch for it! And check out Shtinky's suggestions for saving the tiger in another MUTTS blog post.

Patrick to Keynote for Canine Cause!

On Saturday, February 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s Haggerty Education Center in Morris Township, NJ, our own Patrick McDonnell will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising event for the Alliance for Morris County Parks.

The Alliance is raising funds in support of a new canine activity center and dog park at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany. The deadline to register for the event is February 19; refreshments and wine will be served, and music provided by Morristown High students.

Call 973-326-7615 to make reservations, or go to the Park Alliance website. Tickets are $40 in advance, and $50 at the door.

Come out for the canines of Morris County!