Indeed Pig, there is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet whether it be cat, dog, horse, etc. The pain when one of our cherished pets goes to “the happy hunting ground” royally sucks but Pig is correct in that the advantages and benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Great strip today pastis!
To make the pandemic even worse, my dog died in 2020. I literally cried daily for at least a month and vowed not to get another one. My sisters convinced me that recues were need and that I should do it again. I did, and he and I are doing well.
Well dogs do have only 12-13 years. You can’t stop nature from taking its course, so enjoy your furry friend while you can. Also, don’t pigs have 15-20 years? And don’t rats have 4-5 years?
I read For Better or For Worse first this morning where the family’s older dog Farley dies after saving the life of the youngest daughter. A comment there mentioned that maybe this strip was meant as a nod to Farley’ death.
What does a Pig (and a rat) know about keeping a dog as a pet? Also, pig, you have the same lifespan as an average dog so it’s unlikely you’d have to deal with its death.
My family always treat our pets as family. We have a bookshelf populated with the ashes of over 30 years of family pets, all but one were rescues. All were loved and cherished.
My sister lives on a rural road. They had to put their basset hound down three weeks ago. Last week, they found a miserable mutt wrapped in a cold wet blanket in the roadside ditch by their house. I hope that there is a special place reserved for people who abandon their dogs.
Interesting that this strip is running on the same day that GoComics is running the rerun of Lynn Johnston’s “For Better or for Worse” strip in which their good old English Sheepdog “Farley” dies from exhaustion after saving their youngest daughter from drowning.
Our sheltie died on January 3 of this year. This comic reminds me of her and Tennyson’s comment that it’s “better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.” Thank-you Stephan for this strip and all your amazing others.
I have lost so many cats during my life, some I have held as they were put down, some I have found dead and some have died in my arms. Each time it is heart crushing and each time I know I would not have traded the time we had for anything. My sweet Osiris died at 22, she had been with us for 20 years, I was not there because I was with my father who was having surgery but my husband was with her.
My beagle and I spent today in our local hospital doing dog therapy. She’s certified. I cannot imagine life without a dog, and I fully intend to find another when it’s time (I am only allowed one dog where I live) and train her to be another therapy dog. They have so much love to give, and my dog just makes people so happy that it makes me happy too. She will be 14 in September and is barely slowing down. We walk about 5 miles a day.
BE THIS GUY about 1 month ago
It also hurts a lot when a cat dies.
BasilBruce about 1 month ago
There is, however, the matter of having to use a pooper-scooper.
ronaldspence about 1 month ago
lots of lumps in throats today…
enigmamz about 1 month ago
Agreed.
comic4matt about 1 month ago
Better not check out today’s ‘’For better or for worse’’, Pig…
carlsonbob about 1 month ago
Yes, it’s worth it. The 12-14 years they give us is worth it.
Chris Colvard about 1 month ago
So so worth it <3
TampaFanatic1 about 1 month ago
Indeed Pig, there is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet whether it be cat, dog, horse, etc. The pain when one of our cherished pets goes to “the happy hunting ground” royally sucks but Pig is correct in that the advantages and benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Great strip today pastis!
jonnytest about 1 month ago
After 70 years, I’ve had to say goodbye to far too many dogs. No more. Can’t take it anymore.
iggyman about 1 month ago
I have lost so many over the years and miss them all, they all get into your heart.
orinoco womble about 1 month ago
“Do as you want, it’s your own affair—but you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.” Rudyard Kipling, The Power of the Dog
markkahler52 about 1 month ago
It IS worth it!
Procat Premium Member about 1 month ago
They will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
smoore47 about 1 month ago
To make the pandemic even worse, my dog died in 2020. I literally cried daily for at least a month and vowed not to get another one. My sisters convinced me that recues were need and that I should do it again. I did, and he and I are doing well.
Ellis97 about 1 month ago
Well dogs do have only 12-13 years. You can’t stop nature from taking its course, so enjoy your furry friend while you can. Also, don’t pigs have 15-20 years? And don’t rats have 4-5 years?
ccnrob about 1 month ago
Very true.
jbmlaw01 about 1 month ago
We once lost three (of our four) dogs in a 6-week period. True comic.
Darkknight55 about 1 month ago
Correct on all accounts.
Ken Gagne Premium Member about 1 month ago
It’s almost like Pig is reading a certain other long-running comic this week. (avoiding spoilers)
Guy from southern Indiana about 1 month ago
Another minus: they don’t live very long. :-(
zodismoon about 1 month ago
We breed toy poodles and I’ve grown attached to a few of them. The longest ours have lived is 15 or 16 years. My oldest now is 14.
mholding about 1 month ago
the hardest part of having pets is when they go……
ajr58(1) about 1 month ago
WTF is grogu’s problem?
Croc Holliday about 1 month ago
The pain subsides over time, and is worth the many years of unconditional love and joy dogs bring into our lives.
gpantzer about 1 month ago
I read For Better or For Worse first this morning where the family’s older dog Farley dies after saving the life of the youngest daughter. A comment there mentioned that maybe this strip was meant as a nod to Farley’ death.
colddonkey about 1 month ago
and we never forget. . . . . . .
sllynch about 1 month ago
Truth.
mikeszeller Premium Member about 1 month ago
Interesting timing on this strip considering what the reruns over in For Better or Worse are this week.
Znox11 about 1 month ago
This strip made me want to go home and hug my dogs.
omegasupreme about 1 month ago
I had to watch my pet turtle run away…it took him two wweks but he did it
Goat from PBS about 1 month ago
It really is worth it, Pig. I love dogs.
Charles & Susan Premium Member about 1 month ago
Our #milliepuplet will be 10 next month it goes by so fast! You are so right Pig :)
Out of the Past about 1 month ago
Not what I was expecting in the comics today. I thought of every dog I ever had. It was almost more than I could stand.
Mbwebwe about 1 month ago
Having lost both, I can say losing a child is more heart-ripping than one of our furry companions. But I miss them all.
VICTOR PROULX about 1 month ago
As a kid, I though the loss of a pet did not hurt adults as bad as kids. I have since fund this not to be true.
ladykat about 1 month ago
Yes, it’s worth it, despite the pain.
nojledew01 Premium Member about 1 month ago
This one got me right in the feels. Love it.
Bruce1253 about 1 month ago
This is the week over on “For Better or For Worse” where Farley dies after rescuing April.
old_geek about 1 month ago
Surrounded by dog people. Love the dogs. Hate the poop stench..
Queen of America about 1 month ago
Or any pet.
Burbank about 1 month ago
I’ve had four dogs during my life, and my westie is now 18 1/2. Overall I don’t think they are worth it, and I hope we don’t get any more.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member about 1 month ago
So true. Our 4 legged friends can be more loving than some people
harf59 about 1 month ago
Amen
delennwen about 1 month ago
What does a Pig (and a rat) know about keeping a dog as a pet? Also, pig, you have the same lifespan as an average dog so it’s unlikely you’d have to deal with its death.
Purple People Eater about 1 month ago
On the minus side, dogs shed. If you get a dog (or a cat) nothing in your home will ever be truly clean again.
MaryBethJavorek1 about 1 month ago
I really feel that God gives them a shorter life span so we can have so many in our life span. Our pets are our family too!
nostall about 1 month ago
No kidding.
jlsnell327 about 1 month ago
It is worth it.
hooglah about 1 month ago
A truer statement has never been made.
Tetonbil Premium Member about 1 month ago
It is worth it, EVERY GD time! And I will do it again until I can do so no longer. I love my dog! And all the ones who came before. I am a lucky man.
Binky Premium Member about 1 month ago
(☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞ I love my dogs and miss them terribly. They will die for you. Losing them is a whole different kind of pain. ♥
elgrecousa Premium Member about 1 month ago
Folks, let’s not lose track of what’s going on here; we’re talking about our pets.
T Smith about 1 month ago
Love the inconsistency of a strip with anthropomorphized rats, pigs, goats, zebras and alligators, but dogs are pets.
J_D_H about 1 month ago
I cried at work over this. It is incredibly true.
AZPhinFan about 1 month ago
Good one Stephen!
Maswartz about 1 month ago
We just put our 10 year old dog down yesterday…
BamCat about 1 month ago
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”
― Agnes Sligh Turnbull
Solaricious Premium Member about 1 month ago
Curse you, Pastis! Every few months you sneak in a strip that hits us right in the feels!! (thank you)
KEA about 1 month ago
they also drool, stink, knock stuff over, demand attention, cost a fortune to keep healthy… … …
zeexenon about 1 month ago
No, they start with a forearm … there’s easily accessible TWO bones in there.
John Jorgensen about 1 month ago
Like reading For Better or For Worse hasn’t been hard enough on its own!
ggoskie about 1 month ago
I believe it’s worth it, too. My husband disagrees.
Moore 1 about 1 month ago
Yes, gone down that road twice and am now on the third one. The more I get to know people the more I love my dog.
justanudderpeeon about 1 month ago
My family always treat our pets as family. We have a bookshelf populated with the ashes of over 30 years of family pets, all but one were rescues. All were loved and cherished.
Robert Wilson Premium Member about 1 month ago
My sister lives on a rural road. They had to put their basset hound down three weeks ago. Last week, they found a miserable mutt wrapped in a cold wet blanket in the roadside ditch by their house. I hope that there is a special place reserved for people who abandon their dogs.
Lablubber about 1 month ago
Letting a dog into your life carries an implied consent to having your heart broken.
rgrosenberg about 1 month ago
Agreed !!!
Nobody_Important about 1 month ago
This could be any pet!
Flatworm about 1 month ago
Interesting that this strip is running on the same day that GoComics is running the rerun of Lynn Johnston’s “For Better or for Worse” strip in which their good old English Sheepdog “Farley” dies from exhaustion after saving their youngest daughter from drowning.
AtariDragon about 1 month ago
I hate it when a pet dies, but there are other deaths I hate much more.
mousefumanchu Premium Member about 1 month ago
Either one, they take a piece of your heart with them. You swear never again, but you will do it again and make a fur baby very happy.
Eric S about 1 month ago
Was this timed for the current For Better Or For Worse story?
brick10 about 1 month ago
True…..
jbruins84341 about 1 month ago
Interesting that this strip coincides with Farley the dog’s death on For Better or for Worse. He died a hero.
agmcauley Premium Member about 1 month ago
Our sheltie died on January 3 of this year. This comic reminds me of her and Tennyson’s comment that it’s “better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.” Thank-you Stephan for this strip and all your amazing others.
sisterea about 1 month ago
I have lost so many cats during my life, some I have held as they were put down, some I have found dead and some have died in my arms. Each time it is heart crushing and each time I know I would not have traded the time we had for anything. My sweet Osiris died at 22, she had been with us for 20 years, I was not there because I was with my father who was having surgery but my husband was with her.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member about 1 month ago
This is so true!
eddi-TBH about 1 month ago
I know more than one person who lost a pet and still can’t bear the idea of doing it again.
pheets about 1 month ago
Hurts large when we lose any one we love… and have been loved by… and yes, it IS worth it.
Moonkey Premium Member about 1 month ago
My beagle and I spent today in our local hospital doing dog therapy. She’s certified. I cannot imagine life without a dog, and I fully intend to find another when it’s time (I am only allowed one dog where I live) and train her to be another therapy dog. They have so much love to give, and my dog just makes people so happy that it makes me happy too. She will be 14 in September and is barely slowing down. We walk about 5 miles a day.
French Persons Premium Member about 1 month ago
Paying homage to Farley over at FBoFW…
Aladar30 Premium Member about 1 month ago
Just today, this… well played Mr Stephan. Really a great play. Farley, and his siblings, will always be in our heart.
MissyTiger about 1 month ago
Oof. Rough timing for me. Tomorrow, I have to go to the vet to bring home my Elvis’ ashes.
pamela welch Premium Member about 1 month ago
Every time for every pet, Stephan :-( Then we go back and do it again ♥
tvstevie about 1 month ago
“That’s the great thing about dogs: They don’t live too long and you can get another one.”—-George Carlin
Steve Peterson Premium Member about 1 month ago
I had to