Heart of the City by Steenz for February 24, 2012

Happy Happy Joy Joy

That was a bit too easy…

I’m with rhymer! Trolls go home!

Aw.

I don’t care what the trolls say. I only wish this sort of thing could happen in real life. Then my Loki-cat might still be here. sniffBut poor Spock the dog. His owner is in for a world of sad. (Moment of silence for poor sick doggie)

“Invest in some testicular fortitude next time.”

No to kitty killers, cartoon or otherwise.

GOOD, THERE IS ENOUGH SADNESS IN THE WORLD WITHOUT IT ENCROACHING ONTO THE COMIC PAGES.

While I’m happy for the outcome here, in real life animals are euthanized regularly for humane reasons, not just to clear overstock from shelters. It could very realistically gone the other way, and given both children an opportunity to deal with the realities of a sick pet.

Hooray for Dean and Spock the cat! I wondered how this would come out. If this had gone the other way, I hope that it would have been handled very gently and lovingly. In real life there are very few mixups like this. We don’t know who owns Spock the dog, but I extend them my sympathies and best wishes.

Is Mr Tatulli even dimly aware of the emotional roller coaster he’s had everyone on? Has he been reading these? Don’t do this to us again.

Woot

WHEW! I was worried there!

Yay

YAY!!!!!!!

i still feel bad for the other Spock and his human…: (i guess im still missing my Punkin.

Thanks for making this a happy ending, Mark!

Happy endings are always good, and I always hate it, in movies and in any fiction, when a beloved pet dies — yes it moves me, but I feel I’ve been manipulated by the author.

But Mark has handled the “false alarm” of Spock’s death in such a sensitive and memorable way, that it made me want to see how he would carry it through.

Can’t believe I am thinking this way, considering how much I resented the death of Farley in FBOFW! (I had an old dog at the time.) But if Mark ever does decide to kill-off Spock, I think our feelings are safe in Mark’s creative hands.

wow thank heavens, Spock LIVES!

This is pretty much on the order of “and then I woke up.” But I’ll take it anyway.

I am sad for the dog owner, but the whole point of being a fiction writer is that you get to create the universe… I personally like one that is kind. Thank you Mark for not killing dear Spock.

This reminds me of ET. Dying (me crying buckets) and then turned out to be a hoax. However, I am overjoyed at Spock’s resurrection!

Booo

yay

It’s been nice to see the love that Dean has for Spock on display.

Thanks, Mark! I appreciate this turn right now, but I imagine you’ll have to reintroduce it in the future.

This was a great story line, but people, get a grip, it was a comic strip! No animals died in the making of this comic. Logic doesn’t have to take part.

Yeah! How about a picture of little crazy Spock! Come on – I want to make sure he’s OK!!!!

MT put us through enough when we found out where Lio’s Mom was. This was a nice surprise ending.

So happy I’m tearing up. snif

So glad. Thanks Mark!

AWW :-( I am so sorry :-( (sending a BIG CYBER HUG)

Happines for them. Sadness for the owners of Spock the Dog.

Well, all I can say is it took long enough.

Whew!!!! Picture me bouncing around like Snoopy at suppertime!!!

I don’t get it. What was the point of breaking everyone’s heart for a week for such a pat ending? Having to put the party cat to the upper left of this note to sleep, I could have done without the reminder. Especially when, in the end, all it built to was that it was just a silly little mix-up.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a silly mixup if you are the owner of Spock the dog, who apparently “dies in earnest.” Can’t help but be glad for Dean, since, apparently there are no responsible adults in his life. But I’ve been on the other side too often.

What a week! I’ve really come to love this strip over the last few years…

I would have hated to lose Spock from the strip. Glad it was just a mix-up. (Tough week for us, though!)

Thank you for not ruining a Friday by killing a poor and very cute cat!!

Happy for the cat, but sorry for the poor old dog … :/

I’m so happy for Dean! Poor thing was grieving so, as would anyone with a pet they love.

YAY! Thank you, Mark! My sympathies go out to everyone who has had this story arc hit so close to home. And I’m in agreement with everyone who is wondering, “but what about poor Spock the dog and his people?” And let me 2nd (or 3rd, or whatever) the sentiment: Don’t do this to your readers again!!!

One more comment – did anyone else wonder if Spock the cat might actually die but then end up as Spock the ghost cat over in Lio? No? Just me then? Okay…

My wife works at a vet clinic and told her about the strip. She said that the doctor will always look at the chart to confirm before doing euthanasia. A different species on the chart would send up red flags and animals generally have a plastic tag to prevent accidents.

That being said, most likely the receptions was given the charts and was told to call the owners. They’re probably the one who messed up there.

There’s a good book, “When You Have to Say Goodbye: Loving and Letting Go of Your Pet” for children. The illustrator is Lennie Peterson, who does the strip “The Big Picture.” The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/When-You-Have-Say-Goodbye/dp/0983103216/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330131572&sr=1-1

Told ya…

I’m well aware that both Spocks are imaginary characters in a work of fiction. I don’t feel sad for them, or the other imaginary characters. This story caused a lot of us to relive pain in our lives that was all too real.

But will they come down from their happy high and realize the sick dog and what’s going to happen to him..Happy and sad within a few moments.

is this the same vet who, some years before in this strip, told Dean over the phone that Spock had died- but then they were like “Oops. Meant SPOT!” Sorry!"

I agree. It got us talking about real life. Sad, but true and sometimes happy.

Didn’t I say something yesterday about a deus ex machina?

It is not easy. I would have the same problem.

I never watched “Dallas”. As a horny teenaged boy I had other things to do on a Friday night.

YAY,SPOCK (THE CAT)! Wahhh Spock (the dog)! Poor puppy!

That is true bliss for Dean!

Not everyone can handle it. I wish I could take back 2 times when I meant to be there for the best and it turned out badly.

feel sorry for the dog though. where are his owners?

Oh, thank goodness!

YAY! Someone’s dog died! What a great story to help kids deal with loss!

RIP. Spock the dog unknown-2012