A Note From Patrick: Holidays 2023

Dear readers,

Is it the Holiday newsletter already? Wow. What a fast and interesting year it’s been. Way back in January, Heart To Heart, my collaboration with the Dalai Lama, was published. And in April I had the opportunity to travel to Dharamshala, India, and present the book to His Holiness in person.

In September I became part of the Marvel Universe with the publication of The Super Hero’s Journey, my "collaboration” with comic book legends Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko.

And, on November 1, the Guard Dog story began in the MUTTS comic strip running in newspapers and on MUTTS.com. I’m so appreciative and moved by your responses to Guard Dog and Doozy’s journey. Thanks for all your support. I have a lot more to say about that, so will be writing a separate letter about Guard Dog and will be sending it out soon.

While I was completing the art for the Guard Dog and holiday strips, the 2023 leg of my tour for The Super Hero’s Journey was also wrapping up. It was fun to again travel to speak about a new book and meet so many MUTTS readers who could relate to the book’s themes: growing up reading Marvel super hero comics and the inspiration and impact of art. This tour took me to NYC, Baltimore, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Miami.

This weekend, on Saturday, December 2, I’ll be in conversation with Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton, NJ. He’s an insightful interviewer and I’m looking forward to it.

And on the following Saturday (December 9), there will be a reception for a print exhibit of my environmentally themed MUTTS comic strips in Princeton at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center.

Then I’ll be home catching up and decorating the tree. 

Wishing you and your loved ones the merriest of holidays. Let’s look forward to an even better 2024.

Patrick

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— Alison Datko

Comments (64)

Patrick,
I have long loved Mutts. I have most of your books and I faithfully read the comic every morning. The Guard Dog story has gotten me up before 6 am, patiently waiting to read the next panels. Guard Dog has always made me cry, but this series has been heart-wrenching! When Guard Dog realized his owner was gone and he was left alone, I was screaming right along with him. I can’t wait to see Guard Dog finally free. Here’s hoping his Doozy gets to take home her love bug. Btw, my most recent rescue Oreo sits on the couch with me while I read the comics. He is a little love bug!

Mary Lenahan and Oreo

Love Mutts and all the emails received daily, just make my day. Looking forward to more happier stories about Guard Dog in the New Year. With all that is going on in the world, pray for peace, and safety for all humans and animals in this world.

Camille Punch

Thank you Patrick and Mutts for bringing glimpses of hope and love and courage to the surface each morning as I read my daily dose of Mutts. I’ve discovered that every morning I need to read Mutts with my first coffee, it always brings me a smile and a moment of reflection. Recently I went through a journey battling cancer and Mooch, Earl, Guard Dog and the others would help me find some hope in each day. I appreciate the gift you have shared with all of us Mutts readers. P.S. I love the Mutts notebooks, I even use them in meetings at work to bring smiles into my workplace.

Debora Nelson

Hello! Like many readers and lovers of Mutts Comics, I have followed the Guard Dog saga closely. I’ve surprised myself waking up, having my first cup of coffee and wondering what happened to Guard Dog now? Did they come to rescue him in time? Why doesn’t Ozzi arrive faster? What is going to happen? …and I quickly searched the Mutts page on my cell phone to stay up to date!
Even though I was at a very important national conference for me, I couldn’t help but know what was happening with Guard Dog. It is that magic that you do with your hands, dear Patrick, that you make our hearts bring out their noblest, brightest, most human part, yes, that part of our inner child that makes us run towards a comic strip and remind us that We still carry that humanity inside. Thank you! May God bless your hands and your art! Happy Holidays!!!

Berzalí Albizures

Berzalí Albizures

I can’t believe how much stress I am feeling on Guard Dog’s behalf. I think every day of my Sam—and her release from her chain after five years and coming into my house for the rest of her life. She had a different body shape, but my own girl, white with the black spots and the black ears, speaks to me every day through these Guard Dog strips. I miss her so.

Denise Brooks

I have always loved mutts! But this storyline of Guard Dog is so sad but true. We have 3 rescues and one wasn’t on a chain,but instead kept in a kennel. As soon as I saw the Guard Dog t-shirt I had to order it :) Thanks for spreading this important message

Cheryl Newberry

I have never been so invested in a comic strip as I am watching Guard Dog’s story. When his ‘people left him behind and he was tugging on his chain and “screaming,” I was devastated knowing that this comic strip is depicting what happens too often in real life. I am looking forward to seeing the next chapter in Guard Dog’s life and am hoping this fictional rendition will become reality for the Guard Dogs of the world. Thank you, Patrick, for Mutts and for the compassion for animals it represents.

Karen

I think the whole world will rejoice when Guard Dog gets free!! What a wonderful holiday story at a time when it’s really needed! Thank you thank you thank you!!

Vicki Barbour

Patrick I can’t remember when I have been so invested in a story. Guard dog represents what so many beautiful animals endure at the hands of unscrupulous owners. Guard dog tugs at our hearts with a message of hope for all the neglected and forgotten angels at the end of a chain. Thank you for bringing this story to the forefront. If one dog is saved, then the mission was accomplished! Looking forward to happy stories with Doozy and guard dog!!

Cathy Mitchell Hatcher

Thank you, thank you, thank you for finally bringing us the Guard Dog story we have been aching for all these years! I’ve been sharing it with everyone, especially fellow animal people! Looked for you at the Abrams booth at NYCC — I had a booth just nearby for our new book The Addiction — as I’ve yet to thank you for your work in person, but I think you must have been speaking on a panel or signing somewhere else that moment. Someday! Break the chains! David

David Quinn