Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 19, 2018

Aww, Puddles found himself a little bit— Never mind.

um… how long has it been since Luann let Puddles get introduced to another dog?

Looks more like Max is walking Jack. ✨

Y’know Jack might be an all right kinda Guy.

Once you smell poodle, you never go back.

Let me project plain, is this whole dog park arc a metaphorical setup for not only a new romance for Luann, but possibly a romance where intimate relations could be strongly implicated, if not made pretty plain. Jack is a handsome “stud” in some senses, and up to now Luann has been virginal as far as can be seen. Of course this is a family strip, but the characters are growing; is this a new level we might explore? Of course if it should happen they probably would break up anyway. He is kind of flirty himself.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Luann was actually happy to see Jack, in Panel One.

Okay Lu. When the Inevitable request for a date comes up, DROP your shields and give the guy a chance.Sure He’s no Quill, but he’s a HECK of a lot BETTER than that Elwood Creep.

#FREEGB!!!

Hence the expression, "You dog, you "

Max is so laid back he’s snoozing in Jack’s arms. Look at how relaxed his legs are. I love dogs who are relaxed about being carried around. No romance for Max and Puddles unless they are gay – which some dogs are. So, the romance, if any, will be of the human variety with the furry kids watching on.

Did the Evanses PURPOSELY run this not long after the family reunion in Luann Againn? Notice that the way Luann refers to Max is JUST LIKE the way that their Aunt Vicki referred to Luann’s early teen maturing, and somewhat like the way she referred to Brad getting older.

https://www.gocomics.com/luann-againn/2018/7/2

Especially this one for the speech pattern when Luann later uses it for Max:

https://www.gocomics.com/luann-againn/2018/07/05

Luann has become her Aunt Vicki!

Now, as to the dog park, I think that there must be at least two in town. IF memory serves, the earlier one was not so large nor with such an attractive backdrop, though I could be wrong, so someone will need to find earlier images and post the dates or links.

What we DO know is that Puddles did not recognize the scent of this dog park, and dogs do go by scent.

Also, we know that Pitts has grown large enough to have a university and a community college, so the place would need more than one dog park.

If it wasn’t for Max’s eye reactions, one would think he was a stuffed toy. Or, in the last panel, a dog printed on his shirt. It is so hard to tell in a 2D world…

A little stretch here – Luann being upset at Puddles sniffing. Maybe Luann reacted that way to deflect Jack from further gestures of intimacy.

Truly funny today – brought a smile.

It does go to show how uptight Luann can be. After her shutdown at seeing Jack naked in the art class, now she acts like she’s never seen one dog sniff another – especially at a dog park where the pets are new to each other. Maybe Jack can be an influence like Tara.

Are Max and Puddles starting a romance.

Hope Puddles has fun? Wish granted!

Oh – come ON, Luann totally went on a “dog park” date with Jack like two years ago! Am I supposed to believe that she left Puddles at home, and it’s now his first time at the park, the way she’s claiming?

Looks like Jack shrunk about 6" there.

#PUDDLESFORPOODLES

Shoulda gotten Puddles “fixed” when you had the chance…

But you told him to go say “hi”!

Does everyone carry their dog to the park?

“Puppy LePew”

“I Remember When Barky Manilow Played Our Song”

“Dog Days Of Summer”

or

“She’s Pretty Fetching”

LuAnn, as a responsible Dog Owner, you didn’t get the “Procedure” done on Puddles? Bob Barker is ashamed of you.

Random thoughts:

• Luann has great posture in panel 1. Or she might be a little put off at the surprise meeting.

• Poodles and Puddles. A Double Dog entendre?

• Why are Poodles always assumed to be females in toons? For that matter, do we know Puddles is male?

• Puddles and Max. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful relationship?

Puddles should have been fixed, years ago.

Max looks like a puppy. But it’s good to see Puddles having fun!

Hi-jack? He he stealing her heart? Uh-oh.

Pssst. Jack. This is Luann, and you ain’t gettin’ any.

Puddles is just saying “hi” to a playmate ;)

Max seems to have become alert when he catches sight of Puddles and the poodle :)

Yes, Max woke up in Panel 3! “Dog action going on? What’s this?!”

Luann needs to let her dog, be a dog.

Luann’s purse, unattended on the park bench… like Chekov’s Gun?

I like Jack. It’s like she got the same future romance budding like her brother did!

Jack seems alright.

Not only did Luanne’s yelling wake up Max, but ruined Puddles making a move on the poodle.

Jack might not have reached a higher level of his species, but he’s a good guy, and Luann’s own brother was barely above a knuckle dragger before he met Toni. I think Luann is going to be the one to make a move on Jack. There will be thunder in the park.

I like the way Jack cradles Max’s right front paw. Its shows a tender side to him, also indicated by the fact that he doesn’t have a pit bull or some other fierce looking dog.

Okay, I checked and I can NOT find any definite indication whether Puddles has been neutered.

Possible neutering appt? Maybe just temp taking rather than assessment for altering.

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2015/06/28

“frisky” earlier

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2003/09/04

I went to

https://www.gocomics.com/comics/lists/1720893/luann-dog-puddles

From another site Pud went to Dr. Handel for a benign lipoma on 12/24/2008

You and me baby ain’t nothin’ but mammals…

Bring back Dr. Handel as a love interest!

Now Jack & “Viper” would make an interesting couple.

Sniffing alone isn’t a problem. If the poodle isn’t fixed, I doubt the owner would bring her to the dog park if she was in heat.

Seems as though Puddles has finally graduated from puppyhood to doggie adolescence, and may no longer be a doggie-virgin.

Dare I even wonder if this could be a foreshadowing for Jack and Luann?! Could he be The One?

That is not funny. Oh, shut up, Luann—what do you expect if you don’t get your dog neutered?

To give people a laugh, this dog video is an oldie but goodie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

Jack is comfortable with his manliness, so he can cradle little Max in his arm whitout feeling the need to have a Great Dane, German Shepherd, or Irish Wolf Hound to enhance his image. He also let Luann help him with his flat tire, and doesn’t mind making a little money posing nude for the art classes.