 |
| (PETA Photo - Public Domain) |
Beginning with Earl ("a small mutt with a big heart, cheerfully tugging at the leash on the walk of life") – and proceeding with characters such as Guard Dog (a "tough, tethered dog with a soft heart") and Noodles (a "street smart feral alley cat with a heart of gold") – McDonnell creates a miraculous world which is heavenly in nature. His skillful addition of quotes from leaders such as Mother Teresa and Gandhi expands this world even further into a universe of joyful wisdom.
McDonnell's universe can also be accessed through his numerous children's books. The
Gift of Nothing
conveys that friendship itself is the greatest gift of all. Just Like Heaven emphasizes the blessings that are here and now. His
"philosophical picture book" Guardians
of Being is a
collaboration with spirituality author Eckhart Tolle that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
McDonnell himself is a strong advocate of animal-friendly practices and environmentalism. He is a
vegetarian who is on the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States. His love of nature stems from a childhood spent "playing in the woods…" He is therefore bent on reminding people that "there's a big beautiful world out there; that they're a part of it, and that they should enjoy and embrace it."
Resources
http://muttscomics.com/default.aspx
http://www.spotmagazine.net/content/meet-mutts-creator-patrick-mcdonnell
No comments:
Post a Comment