For those that don’t follow on Facebook, Bryan & Simon posted this:
Hello Friends, this is very hard to share but we need to. For everyone wondering why our comic delivery has been so inconsistent for the last year, it’s because our nephew, JJ, who we were raising as our son for the last four years, has escalated into dangerous territory with his behavior and actions. I’m not going to get into the details of it, but the result is Simon and I were threatened by him and despite many attempts to get him help, he refused it and continues escalating his behavior. It breaks our heart, but he’s left us no choice but to surrender custody.As many of you know, our comic was inspired by JJ and our Mastiff, Magnus on a camping trip nine years ago. It was incredibly tough to write the comic after Magnus passed two years ago and the last year has been challenging because of the stress of trying to help JJ. However, at the end of the day our comic is fictional and an ideal. We have fun with it and use it in our own lives to lift spirits even if sometimes we do tackle tough life challenges. We will continue with the comic in the spirit of the original inspiration. Life throws a lot at us but we decide if we give in or not and we’re not ready to give in. We truly hope for the best for JJ. Even after all he’s put us through we still love him and want him to do better. It can be very tricky sharing personal and sensitive life experiences but ultimately, I think discussing mental health needs to be more prevalent. Nothing good comes from keeping everything to yourself or feeling shame for events beyond your control. We were really hoping it was just a phase and we’d resolve it together, but that wasn’t meant to be. We’ve all got life challenges others don’t often see and this was one of the hardest of our lives so far. If you’re going through your own life challenge, please know you’re not alone. We hope we can count on your support as we work our way through this.
Not being a parent myself, I can’t begin to imagine what you have been going through. I have dealt with people who are and were in need of mental health attention. There comes a point, much like with people battling addiction, where you realize you are just as helpless as they are. You hate to part company, as you have good memories, but self preservation takes precedence. God bless the two of you, may his strength and guidance show you a way forward.
Baarorso over 2 years ago
You’ve got to admit he’s got the right attitude with all the craziness going on these days. ;D
Alys France over 2 years ago
Great, John! Now find that confidence you used to have and square those shoulders! Who could resist you?
TonysSon over 2 years ago
It really has been a long, stressful couple of years, hasn’t it?
Moh'slifelife over 2 years ago
So much for reading a book about not freaking out
Julie478 Premium Member over 2 years ago
For those that don’t follow on Facebook, Bryan & Simon posted this:
Hello Friends, this is very hard to share but we need to. For everyone wondering why our comic delivery has been so inconsistent for the last year, it’s because our nephew, JJ, who we were raising as our son for the last four years, has escalated into dangerous territory with his behavior and actions. I’m not going to get into the details of it, but the result is Simon and I were threatened by him and despite many attempts to get him help, he refused it and continues escalating his behavior. It breaks our heart, but he’s left us no choice but to surrender custody.As many of you know, our comic was inspired by JJ and our Mastiff, Magnus on a camping trip nine years ago. It was incredibly tough to write the comic after Magnus passed two years ago and the last year has been challenging because of the stress of trying to help JJ. However, at the end of the day our comic is fictional and an ideal. We have fun with it and use it in our own lives to lift spirits even if sometimes we do tackle tough life challenges. We will continue with the comic in the spirit of the original inspiration. Life throws a lot at us but we decide if we give in or not and we’re not ready to give in. We truly hope for the best for JJ. Even after all he’s put us through we still love him and want him to do better. It can be very tricky sharing personal and sensitive life experiences but ultimately, I think discussing mental health needs to be more prevalent. Nothing good comes from keeping everything to yourself or feeling shame for events beyond your control. We were really hoping it was just a phase and we’d resolve it together, but that wasn’t meant to be. We’ve all got life challenges others don’t often see and this was one of the hardest of our lives so far. If you’re going through your own life challenge, please know you’re not alone. We hope we can count on your support as we work our way through this.
Biggest hug
Bradley Walker over 2 years ago
For what it’s worth, you’re not alone.
Dennis Ketcham, the inspiration for “Dennis the Menace,” didn’t have an easy life either.
bob-droid12 over 2 years ago
And during all this, AJ found the super glue
ibericbrown over 2 years ago
Best wishes.
BearHamilton1 over 2 years ago
Not being a parent myself, I can’t begin to imagine what you have been going through. I have dealt with people who are and were in need of mental health attention. There comes a point, much like with people battling addiction, where you realize you are just as helpless as they are. You hate to part company, as you have good memories, but self preservation takes precedence. God bless the two of you, may his strength and guidance show you a way forward.