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Saturday, January 06, 2024

That darn Mutts and Speed Bump

The tragedy of dogs treated like dogs [Mutts letter]

Janet Halpin, Glenwood, Ill.

Washington Post January 6 2024: A15.

I followed with deep interest the Guard Dog storyline in Patrick McDonnell's "Mutts" comic strip. Guard Dog was abandoned by his people and was discovered freezing, hungry and thirsty by Mooch, Earl and Doozy. In the Dec. 16 strip, Guard Dog, who has been adopted by Doozy and renamed Sparky, is at Doozy's house, inside, looking at his dog bed and wagging his tail.

That is a happy ending, but readers should know that the reality might be somewhat different. I adopted two dogs, littermates, who had been languishing in a no-kill shelter down south for four years until rescued by Paws Illinois. For months, they were scared to death, cowering on their bed. With expert help, we woke up their brains with scents, soft voices and consistent care. They both take serious anti-anxiety meds, probably for life.

I thought one, Half Moon, was mute. One day after about two years, I heard a quiet, almost whispered "woof woof" from her room. The woofs gradually got louder, and finally she started to bark a bit. She still prefers to have snacks placed on the floor rather than from my hand. After almost three years, she still will not walk by herself from their room through the house to the door. I place a ribbon loosely around her neck and hold the end while we walk. They have been brave and courageous, champion dogs, and I tell them so every day.

I imagine that in real life Doozy and her mom would have similar challenges with Guard Dog/Sparky. Caring for doggos who had terrible beginnings is extremely rewarding, but it requires much time, training and consistency.


Who do we think we're kidding? [Speed Bump letter]

Arthur F. Manfredi Jr., Sterling

Washington Post January 6 2024: A15.

The Dec. 24 "Speed Bump" comic strip was terribly offensive and sacrilegious. I think that any Christian — probably anyone, Christian, non-Christian, agnostic or atheist — would agree that the cartoon at a minimum was in very poor taste.

For the cartoonist to submit it and for The Post to publish it on Christmas Eve showed a serious lapse in sensitivity by both parties. How could anyone refer to the newborn Jesus Christ as "the kid"?


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