.. simply unrealistic. Every child old enough to speak (and know what a sweet is) knows, that a dog’s nose should not be bitten. (Perhaps licked, that would make sense!) But in this comic Michael is pictured as wicked bordering on cruel and in addition as thoughtless bordering on cruel. Elizabeth takes the role of stupid bordering on cruel.. I do not know a single child so heartless. All children I know were curious and adventurous – but they knew that living beings hurt.I totally agree with Howtheduck: it’s painful, every time Farley appears (or a hamster for that)..
As a teacher, I’ve seen kids being thoughtless and cruel many times. It’s not that they’re bad kids. It takes time to begin to notice all the possible consequences of your actions and for a complex set of values (comparing more than two values at a time) to develop. Michael was playing a trick on Elizabeth, and he never thought of how Farley would feel – or what he could do.
To Lynn, When we were kids we had a dog that was a small border collie. One year my dad did the annual tarring of the driveway. After he did it, the dog promptly goes over and sits on the wet tar. To this day I still don’t understand why he did that. He had tar on his rear end for several weeks before it wore off. We also knew never to mess with the dog, because he would bite back. Kids are naturally “cruel” because they don’t know it’s mean until you tell them it is.
When I was little, my neighbors kid bit my cats paw. The cat was smart and knew it was a dumb little kid. Now if an adult had tried this that person wouldn’t have had a face left.
when my daughter was about 2 she did get mad at the dog and bite her on the snout. The dog yelped but did not bite back. She knew from then on who was in charge and I knew what a good dog she was and still is at age 12.
Mom told me that when I was quite young I was holding a neighbor’s puppy. When I wanted to put it down, I just opened my hands and . . . splat! I don’t remember this. Guess mom had given me credit for more sense than I had.
I do remember being out on a walk with my parents and running on ahead. In front of me there was a man using crutches. I looked back at my parents and bellowed, ’THERE’S A MAN WITH ONE LEG!" I noticed my dad making exaggerated shushing motions, and I suddenly realized what I had done. I never did anything like that again.
And once again, Michael feels a VERY sickening need to be extremely cruel to poor Farley . . . only this time, he got a gullible and easily-manipulated Lizzie do the deed for him instead. What’s WRONG with that boy, anyhow?!?
With such a mean streak running through him where the family dog is concerned, I find it absolutely AMAZING Michael didn’t grow up to be a psychotic serial killer!!!!!
WHEN i WAS YOUNG, MY AUNT AND UNCLE GOT A PUPPY. i ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON HIS TAIL. HE TURNED AND NIPPED ME.THEN HE CAME OVER TO MY CHAIR AND LOOKED UP AT ME WITH HIS BIG PUPPY-DOG TO SAY HE WAS SORRY. ALL WAS FORGIVEN ON BOTH SIDES AND WE BECAME GOOD FRIENDS.
My one year old pointed to the dog’s rear (its tail was raised) and stated “Eye.” We grabbed the hand rapidly to keep the dog from getting a proctology exam from her. Ewwww
The way some people write about pets they make it sound as if the Pattersons are good friends of Michael Vick. Seems that they are more concerned about Farley than they are about Michael and Elizabeth’s viciousness towards each other.
Downundergirl over 11 years ago
You mean its NOT?!!
Bret Maverick over 11 years ago
I shouldn’t tell you this, but the dog dies later on. Not from having his snoot bit though.
lindonc over 11 years ago
So you Just could not keep your hands off the keys Bret?!?!?
arye uygur over 11 years ago
Lucky for Elizabeth that farley didn’t bite her back.
cruftschamp over 11 years ago
.. simply unrealistic. Every child old enough to speak (and know what a sweet is) knows, that a dog’s nose should not be bitten. (Perhaps licked, that would make sense!) But in this comic Michael is pictured as wicked bordering on cruel and in addition as thoughtless bordering on cruel. Elizabeth takes the role of stupid bordering on cruel.. I do not know a single child so heartless. All children I know were curious and adventurous – but they knew that living beings hurt.I totally agree with Howtheduck: it’s painful, every time Farley appears (or a hamster for that)..
Beleck3 over 11 years ago
Sera? don’t remember any Sera?
gobblingup Premium Member over 11 years ago
Aww, poor Farley!! Look at that face in the third panel. :-(
The Life I Draw Upon over 11 years ago
Spoilers please.
androscoggin over 11 years ago
As a teacher, I’ve seen kids being thoughtless and cruel many times. It’s not that they’re bad kids. It takes time to begin to notice all the possible consequences of your actions and for a complex set of values (comparing more than two values at a time) to develop. Michael was playing a trick on Elizabeth, and he never thought of how Farley would feel – or what he could do.
gmforde over 11 years ago
To Lynn, When we were kids we had a dog that was a small border collie. One year my dad did the annual tarring of the driveway. After he did it, the dog promptly goes over and sits on the wet tar. To this day I still don’t understand why he did that. He had tar on his rear end for several weeks before it wore off. We also knew never to mess with the dog, because he would bite back. Kids are naturally “cruel” because they don’t know it’s mean until you tell them it is.
misty jade over 11 years ago
Poor Farley. Love this strip, though.
Nancy J Stout over 11 years ago
When I was little, my neighbors kid bit my cats paw. The cat was smart and knew it was a dumb little kid. Now if an adult had tried this that person wouldn’t have had a face left.
loves raising duncan over 11 years ago
Mike you are such a trouble-maker!
Poollady over 11 years ago
It’s a wonder Farley didn’t bite her back
Kathy M T M Premium Member over 11 years ago
when my daughter was about 2 she did get mad at the dog and bite her on the snout. The dog yelped but did not bite back. She knew from then on who was in charge and I knew what a good dog she was and still is at age 12.
Gokie5 over 11 years ago
Mom told me that when I was quite young I was holding a neighbor’s puppy. When I wanted to put it down, I just opened my hands and . . . splat! I don’t remember this. Guess mom had given me credit for more sense than I had.
I do remember being out on a walk with my parents and running on ahead. In front of me there was a man using crutches. I looked back at my parents and bellowed, ’THERE’S A MAN WITH ONE LEG!" I noticed my dad making exaggerated shushing motions, and I suddenly realized what I had done. I never did anything like that again.
Gretchen's Mom over 11 years ago
And once again, Michael feels a VERY sickening need to be extremely cruel to poor Farley . . . only this time, he got a gullible and easily-manipulated Lizzie do the deed for him instead. What’s WRONG with that boy, anyhow?!?
With such a mean streak running through him where the family dog is concerned, I find it absolutely AMAZING Michael didn’t grow up to be a psychotic serial killer!!!!!
:-(
rekam Premium Member over 11 years ago
WHEN i WAS YOUNG, MY AUNT AND UNCLE GOT A PUPPY. i ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON HIS TAIL. HE TURNED AND NIPPED ME.THEN HE CAME OVER TO MY CHAIR AND LOOKED UP AT ME WITH HIS BIG PUPPY-DOG TO SAY HE WAS SORRY. ALL WAS FORGIVEN ON BOTH SIDES AND WE BECAME GOOD FRIENDS.
ronpolimeni over 11 years ago
Never did care for licorice.
tlynnch over 11 years ago
My one year old pointed to the dog’s rear (its tail was raised) and stated “Eye.” We grabbed the hand rapidly to keep the dog from getting a proctology exam from her. Ewwww
USN1977 over 11 years ago
The way some people write about pets they make it sound as if the Pattersons are good friends of Michael Vick. Seems that they are more concerned about Farley than they are about Michael and Elizabeth’s viciousness towards each other.