Musings

MUTTS: 2010 HARVEY AWARDS WINNER!

2010-09-01T21:45:00.004-04:00

Our very own MUTTS has won the 2010 Harvey Award for "Best Syndicated Strip or Panel." Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the most innovative talents of the comics industry, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. This year's awards were presented on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Congratulations to Mooch and Earl and the gang, and to ALL of this year's winners!

Mooch and Patrick do Winston-Salem!

2010-08-27T07:46:00.000-04:00

This year's Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina promises to be a doozie! MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell will be among 45 authors in attendance. And to top it off, Bookmarks Festival staff and volunteers will be wearing t-shirts graced by none other than our very own Mooch!

This sixth annual celebration of all things literary is on September 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will take place in downtown Winston-Salem along and around Trade Street. Organizers are expecting about 7,500 people to attend this highly popular event. If you're in the area, please stop by and meet the authors!

Coming in September! Earl & Mooch, a New Mutts Treasury

2010-08-26T20:03:00.001-04:00

Coming this September from Andrews McMeel Publishing is Earl & Mooch, A Mutts Treasury. Containing nearly a year's worth of colored Sunday strips as well as black & white daily strips, this compendium will also feature impromptu splash pages highlighting Patrick McDonnell's artwork.

Andrews McMeel describes this new book featuring pals Mooch and Earl:

"Sketched in McDonnell's distinctive style, this emotive Mutts collection follows the day-to-day exploits of cat and dog duo Mooch and Earl. Whether they are contemplating the cosmos or curling in for a much-needed nap, these two lighthearted pals remind us of the simple pleasures that make life so grand."

2010 HSUS TAFA Conference a Howling Success: MUTTS Youth Correspondent Reports

2010-08-25T19:19:00.000-04:00

Julia Worcester, Youth Correspondent for Muttscomics.com, attended The Humane Society of the United States' sixth annual conference "Taking Action for Animals" in Washington, D.C.

Julia is pictured above (right), with Janice Krish (left), who heads the HSUS Teen Advisory Board, and Anita Coupe (center), Chair of the HSUS Board of Directors.

Thanks Jules, for everything you do!

Here is Jules' informative report:

I attended the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) annual conference for the first time this year. It is called the “Taking Action for Animals” (TAFA) conference, and the goal is to educate and inspire animal lovers, and give them an opportunity to connect and network with each other.

The Washington D.C. conference, held appropriately in the “dog days” of late July, brought together HSUS staff, members from around the country, inspiring speakers, and the media for four days of learning and networking about the most effective ways of combating cruelty and speaking up for animals at the local, state and national levels. The conference ended with Monday’s “Lobby Day”, where HSUS members and staff spoke up for animals in a rally on the steps of the Capitol, and in private meetings with senators and representatives.

I went there as a Humane Society Teen Advisory Board member. This year’s TAFA conference was special because for the first time, TAFA held a Student Summit. There were middle school through college-age students, who came from as far away as California and Michigan. I felt inspired and encouraged walking into a room filled with so many people my own age who feel the same way I do about animals. I know most people care about animals in a generic way, and wouldn’t intentionally harm them. But it was wonderful to see young people who know enough and feel strongly enough about protecting animals to spend a bit of their summer at a conference like this.

At the Student Summit we met and talked, wandered among the tables in the Exhibition Hall picking up brochures and t-shirts (from organizations such as Humane Society University and Farm Sanctuary to Mercy for Animals and United Poultry Concerns), and shared red licorice and vegan pizza! We heard from amazing staff people working on the frontlines of HSUS campaigns including puppy mills, factory farms, fur, wildlife, and animal fighting. HSUS legislative staff taught us how to lobby on Capitol Hill (that means how to advocate for animals with politicians), and from people like Karen Dawn, author of the kid-friendly new bookThanking the Monkey, (and her wonderful pitbull Paula!), about how to get the media interested in animal stories so that they can help educate the public. And best of all, we heard from other students who have waged their own successful campaigns such as persuading their college to buy only cage-free eggs!

The speakers at Saturday’s meetings and workshops did a wonderful job of applauding the progress made for animals (such as the passage of Proposition 2 in California in 2008, a ballot initiative that prevents the state’s factory farms from cruel confinement of farm animals), while encouraging us to work on unfinished business such as freeing battery hens across the U.S. and ending the deplorable seal hunt in Canada. From other speakers we learned about the fascinating neurobiological bond between humans and other mammals, and the ways that animals experience pleasure.

It was great to meet everyone and see how many other people share a passion for protecting animals, from pets to factory farm animals. It was great to share projects and suggestions, and learn that even though I am young, HSUS needs and values everyone’s efforts for animals. I came away knowing so much more about what I can do to help all kinds of animals, from simple things such as educating people about the terrible conditions some animals are in (and how they can help), to helping get good legislation passed.

It was an inspiring conference and I hope some of you might consider attending next year, and if not, just keeping up the good fight, and spreading the word about how we can protect our animal friends.

A Whale of a Tale: Mooch Gives Props to Sea Shepherd

2010-08-20T19:59:00.004-04:00

In gratitude for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's outstanding efforts on behalf of oceans and their inhabitants, MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell created a series of strips featuring Mooch, Earl, and a rather large friend. Since 1977, Sea Shepherd has been on the frontlines of the struggle to preserve "the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems," and "end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans."

Thank you, Sea Shepherd, for all you do.

Make Time for Time this Week

2010-08-11T20:45:00.005-04:00

We all know that animals are smart, and now the August 16th issue of Time magazine gives more proof. It contains a lengthy cover story by Jeffrey Kluger titled "Inside the Minds of Animals." The article, subtitled "New science reveals they're smarter than we realized," describes new findings about animal intelligence and problem-solving and communication abilities. Kluger describes his encounters with an English-language trained bonobo named Kanzi, and striking discoveries about avian intelligence:

"... a zoologist at the University of Cambridge... found that the rook, a member of the crow family, could reason through how to drop stones into a pitcher partly filled with water in order to raise the level high enough to drink from it. What's more, the rooks selected the largest stones first, apparently realizing they would raise the level faster."

How cool is that!

Kluger asserts that as our understanding of the mental abilities of other species grows, the gulfs that once divided humans from other creatures become narrower, raising such questions as how we can justify eating other sentient, intelligent life. Thank you Time magazine, for sharing this wonderful message.

Shelter Pet Project #5: Andy's Dream Come True!

2010-08-11T20:41:00.000-04:00

If you watch this public service announcement created for The Shelter Pet Project by master animator Paul Fierlinger and MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell, you'll find out why Andy the shelter dog is glad he found the courage to open his eyes.

A dog just like Andy is waiting for you at your local shelter. Grab your keys and go find him!

Shelter Pet Project #4: Olive Finds a Home

2010-08-10T20:35:00.005-04:00

From the cold streets, to a shelter, to a happy home, Olive the cat finds her way to heaven on earth. MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell and master animator Paul Fierlinger team up again for The Shelter Pet Project, in creating this public service announcement on behalf of the adoption of shelter pets.

A cat like Olive will reward you all the days of her life! What are you waiting for?

Shelter Pet Project #6: "Life's Funny..."

2010-08-08T11:08:00.002-04:00

Watch this last of six public service announcements created by master animator Paul Fierlinger and MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell for The Shelter Pet Project's campaign to place cats and dogs in happy homes.

Can you resist sweet Mike's philosophical approach to life? Perhaps today is the day to bring home your next best friend from your local shelter.

McDonnell Interviewed by PBS: See it Online!

2010-08-07T21:03:00.000-04:00

You can now see Patrick's recent interview by Bob Faw of PBS's Religion and Ethics online! Patrick explains his inspirations, the creation of Guardians of Being, and how our companion animals help us "be here now."

Shelter Pet Project #3: Chickpea and her Brother

2010-08-05T20:14:00.000-04:00

In this third of six heart-warming public service announcements, MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell has teamed up with master animator Paul Fierlinger on behalf of The Shelter Pet Project. This PSA called "Twins" is about Chickpea and her brother looking out for each other at a shelter. It's a must-see...

If you can give a cat a good home for life, visit your local shelter today!

Shelter Pet Project: MUTTS 'Adopt a Mature Dog' Animation!

2010-08-01T10:35:00.010-04:00

Patrick McDonnell has teamed up with award-winning master animator Paul Fierlinger to create a series of six animated Public Service Announcement spots which advocate the adoption of cats and dogs for The Shelter Pet Project. Pet Connection writer Christie Keith, who also does work for The Shelter Pet Project, says her favorite is the PSA called Shemp, which urges the adoption of "more mature" dogs.

Take a look-see at the spot, and spread the word: older dogs are waiting to share their love!

Shelter Pet Project #2: MUTTS 'Jaz' Animated!

2010-08-04T20:55:00.012-04:00

Winsome and playful, brought to life by master animator Paul Fierlinger and MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell, the so-cool shelter cats (including Jaz!) in this public service announcement created for The Shelter Pet Project will win your heart.

And yes, there are jazzy cats waiting at your local shelter. Go and choose one (or two) today!

Something Special This Way Comes!!!!

2010-07-28T09:17:00.004-04:00

Ray Bradbury, grand master of fantasy and science fiction, was interviewed last week at Comic-Con. We at Muttscomics are beyond thrilled to say that he calls MUTTS his favorite comic strip in today's newspapers.

For the one or two people reading this who are not familiar with Ray Bradbury's books, we urge to to give yourself that gift of imagination.

MUTTS: 2010 Harvey Awards Nominee!

2010-07-26T15:32:00.000-04:00

Once again, Patrick and his MUTTS have been nominated for a Harvey Award for best comic strip. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field. To see the other nominees and to obtain a ballot via download go to www.harveyawards.org.

JANE GOODALL IN THE FUNNIES

2010-07-23T18:07:00.005-04:00

MUTTS readers know that Patrick has referenced Jane Goodall many times in his comic strip. Recently, to celebrate Dr. Goodall's 50th anniversary, Patrick, along with several other cartoonists, paid tribute to Jane in their respective syndicated strips.

For the results, take a look-see at the Jane Goodall Institute homepage.

Thank you, Dr. Goodall, for all you've done to make the world more humane.

Mark your Calendar: 2010 Festival of Cartoon Art

2010-07-14T21:03:00.000-04:00

Attention, comics fans: the tenth triennial Festival of Cartoon Art will take place October 14-17, 2010 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The Festival is an important celebration of comics and cartoons. There will be exhibitions, presentations by top creators, panel discussions, an academic pre-conference, and more.

Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell is scheduled to appear on a panel honoring his good friend, the late Jay Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief of King Features Syndicate who donated his collection of underground comic books to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State. The Festival will also feature special events in celebration of Krazy Kat’s 100^th birthday. A complete schedule of events is available online.

In the Driver's Seat: Jules Feiffer

2010-07-11T15:53:00.000-04:00

Jules Feiffer has just published a memoir, Backing into Forward, that is a must-read for aficionados of the 81-year-old comics superstar.

An online review of the book quotes Patrick McDonnell, creator of Mutts, who maintains that reading a compilation of Feiffer’s early strip “Sick Sick Sick” is one of his earliest memories:

“I think his work was groundbreaking. I think he was the first cartoonist who really did sophisticated, more adult-oriented themes that were kind of autobiographical. And today, I think the whole underground and alternative graphic novel comes from Jules.”

McDonnell Interviewed by PBS: Airing This Weekend!

2010-07-09T12:30:00.001-04:00

Patrick was recently interviewed by Bob Faw for PBS's Religion and Ethics, and the result is an insightful piece centered on Patrick's inspirations, Guardians of Being, and how our companion animals can help bring us into the present moment.

Plus, MeeMow joins in on the discussion!

See a (very) short preview. The interview airs this week on your local PBS station.

A Krazy Kat Celebration!

2010-07-08T18:29:00.002-04:00

Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell joined Sunday Press founder Peter Maresca to edit a beautiful, 160-page Centennial Edition of George Herriman’s Krazy Kat Sunday comics. Beginning with the first black-and-white page in 1916 right through to the last color Sunday strip in 1944, all of the strips in Krazy Kat, A Celebration of Sundays are digitally restored in their original size and colors.

Sunday Press Books has just published this large format tome which includes contributions by Art Spiegelman and Herriman biographer Michael Tisserand.

Patrick salutes Herriman’s creation in his introduction:

“All great art is timeless. It’s made with presence and stays in the present. George Herriman’s Krazy Kat doesn’t age – it just is.”

Mutts Youth Correspondent Julia Worcester Ponders the Gulf Oil Disaster

2010-07-01T16:45:00.011-04:00

By now, everyone is aware of the basic, horrifying facts of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil is destroying more than we are able to see on the surface of the water. It is destroying the entire Gulf, poisoning the water and everything that lives in it. In April, right after the explosion, the U.S. government and BP estimated that a mere 5,000 barrels of oil per day were pouring out of the well. Scientists now say that the amount is closer to 60,000 to 70,000 barrels. This is the equivalent of an Exxon Valdez oil spill every four days.

One of the most horrible things about the spill (I believe) is the lack of any response. BP, which is directly responsible for this catastrophe, has done nothing to fix it. The Bush administration made this possible, and the Obama administration has done nothing to stop it. Only now, almost two months after the initial explosion, are people starting to demonstrate about it.

This oil spill is a disgrace to this country. It makes me very sad that adults consider it alright to destroy the planet and not offer any apology or way to fix it. They are leaving a terrible legacy to us children, who will inherit this planet from them. Who do they think is going to step up and finally try to fix this catastrophic mess in the Gulf? Not even our own President, apparently. President Obama is clearly over his head, stating nothing concrete about recovery efforts in his Oval Office speech on June 15th, simply telling Americans to pray. How old do you think we are? I’m a teenager and I understand the consequences of this. Doesn't anyone understand that this is the world they are leaving their children to live in?

Evidently no one is able to stand up to the oil giants. It’s clear that even the President isn’t willing to do this. They apparently call the shots, and if this is allowed to continue we will find ourselves (or might already be) in a mess we can’t fix. If this were not such a tragic and deadly thing, the conduct of BP and all the large oil companies would be laughable. On the ‘Safety’ section of BP’s website they say “Safe and reliable operations are integral to BP’s success, and we strive continuously to improve our safety performance.” Really BP? Do you think we still believe that? Or that we ever did? Hearings on Capitol Hill have revealed that in assessments about the potential environmental impacts of deepwater drilling in the Gulf, BP acknowledged it might have to protect vulnerable species like the walrus! Every school kid knows that there are no walruses in the Gulf of Mexico! How seriously could BP or our government have taken the dangers of deepwater drilling if this sort of mistake was allowed? We, as a human population, need to get our act together, or we are going to lose this amazing planet we call home.

We all feel a little frantic because of the enormous, ongoing nature of the spill and the cleanup needs –- getting busy will help the problem, while helping us feel better at the same time. I really wish that I could go down to the Gulf and help clean beaches and birds and turtles, and I know thousands of people all over the country, and probably in other countries too, are feeling the same way. Often being on the scene and helping is the best thing you can do. But this work is dangerous and requires specialized skills (knowing how to use certain technology, handling oiled animals, etc.). I heard on the news recently that BP threatened to fire clean-up workers unless they took off protective respirators while being photographed, because the safety equipment would make it clear to the public how dangerous and toxic the spill is. Until the U.S. government, the Coast Guard, and state authorities are better organized to make use of volunteers, there is a lot we can do at home to help the situation:

1) Fundraising for wildlife and environmental organizations. Raising money by holding fundraisers at work and school is incredibly important. Organizations that do great work during crises like this (The Humane Society of the United States, the Audubon Society, 350.org, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace, among others) often do not have enough funds to maintain all of their lobbying and relief efforts.

2) Lobbying Congress, signing petitions, holding local demonstrations at BP stations or on nearby beaches (see Hands Across the Sand and get organized for June 26th! http://www.handsacrossthesand.com), and writing letters to the editor of local newspapers are incredibly important. If we want a cleaner world in the future we need strong clean energy and climate change legislation.

3) Looking at our own habits, because the simple fact is that our own ways of living caused the spill. It will really help if we can figure out how to use less oil, and that probably means figuring out how to live much more locally. Drive less, buy and use household items efficiently, walk or bike around town, and for longer trips consider taking the train or bus instead of the car. (Here is a page of suggestions about making your home and your neighborhood more green: http://www.riverdalenature.org/living-green.html#everyday.)

I'm looking out at the Hudson River from my desk, and I can see a large private yacht heading upriver. I can’t even imagine how much oil it is using just by taking a short trip on the river. If the Gulf spill sometimes seems far away, it is actually as close as that yacht or the car in your driveway. This spill is connected to climate change because both are the result of our dependence on fossil fuels, our “need” to live bigger and drive more. This dependence led to the spill and is driving climate change, so as we work on the visible spill in the Gulf, we need to be linking it to and thinking about the invisible spill of CO2 into the atmosphere. This situation may seem insurmountable, but I believe that it is actually going to be the tipping point to a happier, more green way of life.

Patrick McDonnell Makes Amy's "Famous Vegetarians" List

2010-07-04T18:05:00.000-04:00

Amy’s, the wonderful vegetarian prepared foods company, has put Patrick McDonnell, Mutts creator, on its online list of well-known vegetarians. In a brief biography, the site describes how Patrick’s concern for animals dovetailed with his growing realization that vegetarianism was easy in a culinary sense, and compelling in an ethical sense.

Returning the compliment, Patrick is quoted as saying: “Companies like Amy’s are changing the world!”

Thanks Amy's!

"Mutts has Pure Bred Charm..."

2010-07-03T19:06:00.000-04:00

Thank you to Jeanne in the Reference Department of the Bristol (VA) Public Library for a lovely review of “Mutts: The Comic Art of Patrick McDonnell.” Jeanne became a fan of Mooch and Earl and the gang when a friend started mailing her copies of the strip. Wanting to learn more about Patrick and his art, she found herself immersed in the pages of “Mutts:…”

Thanks for this tribute, Jeanne:

“If you’ve never read “Mutts,” you’re in for a fabulous treat. If you’re already a fan, you’re sure to be delighted with this book. I know I was—so much so that I bought my own copy.”

Vegetarian Times Talks with Patrick McDonnell

2010-07-01T18:24:00.005-04:00

Read a new interview with Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell, who shares his thoughts on vegetarianism and other animal issues in the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times. It’s available at your nearest Whole Foods stand now.

BARKing up the Right Tree

2010-04-02T15:55:00.007-04:00

Enormous thanks to one of our favorites: The Bark magazine! In the February/March 2010, 25th commemorative issue, the editors have compiled a list of "Bark's 100: The best and brightest who have helped reshape the world of dogs and our understanding of it" and included MUTTSCOMICS creator Patrick McDonnell.

Patrick is happy to share this honor with all the 'best and brightest', with Earl and Amelie --the canine companions who have shared their hearts and souls with him through the years -- and with all of us who love dogs. Thanks BARK!