ComingSoon has an exclusive preview of Abrams ComicsArts’ Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story.
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story publishes in September by Abrams ComicArts. Celebrating 30 years of Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts comic strip, Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story features a brand-new story about the canine character who was originally introduced in 1995.
“Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story begins when Guard Dog is abandoned by his owner, left alone and suffering,” a description reads. “But he’s soon discovered by his animal friends Mooch and Earl, and Doozy, a kindly neighborhood girl, who work together to rescue their friend.”
Check out the exclusive preview below:
”Mutts is about my love for all animals and the special bond we share with our beloved pets,” McDonnell told ComingSoon. “My goal is to show the world through their eyes and to be a voice for the voiceless. Guard Dog was created to bring awareness to the plight of all chained dogs. My new book, Breaking the Chain celebrates his newfound freedom and the little girl, Doozy, who saved him.”
McDonnell is collaborating with the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, which is run by Marisol and Rob Thomas, for the release of Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story. He made a new shirt for the foundation, which ComingSoon can also exclusively reveal below:
Rob and Marisol Thomas on collaborating with Patrick McDonnell and Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story
Rob Thomas said, “As passionate animal advocates and pet parents, Mari and I established Sidewalk Angels Foundation in 2003, dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to over 20 no-kill animal shelters and rescues, across the country, including the Caribbean, and now Mexico, Costa Rica and Serbia, that help to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice. Since its inception, Sidewalk Angels Foundation has aided in massive rescue operations and the large medical expenses incurred during these rescues, building proper shelter facilities, low cost spay and neuter programs, and adoptions helping animals find their forever homes. We are committed to fighting against cruelty and breed discrimination and working with advocacy programs that teach children kindness and compassion toward animals, as well as working with homeless shelters to ensure that families in dire need are not forced to give up their pets. Our hope is to help twice as many organizations in the coming years, while continuing to make real change on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves.”
Marisol Thomas added, “Being a part of this amazing collaboration with Patrick McDonnell and Mutts was one born from love, and it’s an honor for us to be a part of this 30-year legacy. I’ve cared so deeply about helping animals since I was a young child, and I’m so inspired by the message that Patrick shares through his strips. I discovered Mutts many years ago and his work has meant so much to me and my family all these years. Reading about my little ‘friends’ and their adventures has been a treasured escape and brought me so much joy. Every time Sparky (formerly Guard Dog) would appear, my heart would break a little, but I knew Patrick had a very important message he needed to share with his readers. When I started to see more stories focused on him, I could feel a sense of excitement that something major was about to happen. Sidewalk Angels Foundation’s focus has always been animal rescue and advocacy, helping those who have ‘no voice.’ That larger message and greater purpose is what Sparky and Mutts has meant to me for many years. I can’t find the words to thank Patrick for creating this story and sharing a plight that is so very real. Through his art he has shown us how one person can truly make a difference.”
Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story will be published on September 3, 2024, by Abrams ComicArts. Click here for more information.
You can also click here to learn more about Sidewalk Angels Foundation.