Cartoonist Patrick McDonnell, Creator of Mutts Comic Strip

There was a huge gap created in newspaper funnies when Bill Watterson ended Calvin and Hobbes in 1995. Then another gap emerged when creator of the Peanuts, Charles Schultz, died in 2000. Two of the most influential and loved creators in comic history were not producing their comics for us to enjoy any longer.

Well, fortunately, another comic strip artist, Patrick McDonnell, came on the scene in 1995 with his beloved little house pets, Earl and Mooch in the comic strip, Mutts. Recently, Mr. McDonnell has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on a book about the oneness of all life, Guardians of Being. PBS has a great video with incredible insight into the work for this book, while Mr. McDonnell also talks about his comic strip and how it all intertwines with this life.

Watch the full episode. See more Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

In Memory of Daisy

My friend’s doggie, Daisy, had to be put to sleep this week. I few years ago I drew this image of Daisy for Else.

I’ve been thinking about Else and Daisy for the last couple days and it reminds of me of our little doggie, Bradley, who’s no longer with us. Here’s a drawing I did of Bradley in May 2003.

So, all this doggie thinking had me looking through my latest copy of a Mutts collection, Mutts Sunday Afternoons: A Mutts Treasury, which happens to be Else’s favorite comic strip. I got inspired by Patrick McDonnell’s drawing style and decided to draw a little doggie that reminded me of Bradley and Daisy.