Breaking Cat News by Georgia Dunn for January 20, 2019

  1. Jungletaitei
    Jungle Empress  over 5 years ago

    I love this one! Thanks for the warm fuzzies, Georgia. <3

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    Bengal  over 5 years ago

    Yes! Oh yes. Beauty is from within.

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    Sue Ellen  over 5 years ago

    This is one of my all time favorites. For those new to BCN, it originally appeared twice a week. This one was a Sunday special bonus edition.

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    Sue Ellen  over 5 years ago

    It was so sad watching those sweet little ears droop lower and lower with each unkind word and then pop right back up with Pucky’s note of encouragement.

    Is this our first look at Sophie toe beans? How sweet that Tommy bringing her a cup of tea.

    That’s what friends are for.

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      over 5 years ago

    Art offers creativity and expression in any form.

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    zorak950  over 5 years ago

    The great thing about art is that it all speaks different things to different people. Unfortunately there are those who think if it doesn’t say the right things to them, that makes it worthless.

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    DennisinSeattle  over 5 years ago

    Gee, I wonder who that fan is! Puck, you never know what your encouragement will mean for an (admittedly not starving) artist.

    In the last panel, it appears Sophie has put Puck’s card on the windowsill, and is making art with the rest. But it is a little confusing to my eyes. Help?

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    serenasakitty  over 5 years ago

    I kike that Puck’s sweet note gets pride of place on the windowsill while the others go where they belong.

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    MrsXandamere  over 5 years ago

    I’m gonna need the names and phone numbers of anyone who writes Sophie hate mail because I need to call their moms and tell them what garbage (fur)people their babies turned out to be.

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    WelshRat Premium Member over 5 years ago

    I don’t get the point of abuse letters. To write them. To buy a stamp. \to take them to the post box. What’s the point?

    Sophie, you don’t know who your friends are. There’s one right behind you.

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    Marusya Step  over 5 years ago

    Oh, it different me… And how it’s ironic, that it was my first strip, where I put my first comment

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    ctlum  over 5 years ago

    This strip always brings a tear to my eye! It always reminds me of how important it is to be kind to one another! It kinda symbolizes our Mega Orb here; we try to be kind to one another and discourage or ignore hurtful comments.

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    amethyst52 Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Oh honey, don’t be sad. Mean, spiteful people want everyone to be as angry and friendless as they are. XOX

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    Cleementine  over 5 years ago

    Sophie and Tommy are adorable.

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    McColl34 Premium Member over 5 years ago

    I love how this one ends, but it hurts a bit getting there; especially when you consider that this is at least partly based on Georgia’s real life experiences. Thankfully, she had (and has) enough strength and belief in her own abilities to continue. It’s easy to say and understand that for every negative/hurtful letter, email or other communication, there are dozens or hundreds of positive ones, but it still hurts when someone feels the need to make you the target of their attack.

    Never forget, Georgia (and everyone else too): Ignore the spiteful, hurtful comments and focus on the positive ones and remember how much joy you are bringing to so many others!

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    cat19632001  over 5 years ago

    This strip is definitely my favorite BCN comic. The way it takes me through the gamut of emotions from sadness to happiness is wonderful. I love the way it ends with support and friendship.

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    cat19632001  over 5 years ago

    Oh look at Georgia’s signature today. ♥ back to you.

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    dadoctah  over 5 years ago

    The greater lesson is that even the hate mail is an indication that they’re interested in what you say and do.

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    asrialfeeple  over 5 years ago

    The life of an artist is not always easy.

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    Display  over 5 years ago

    A simple “it didn’t work for me” is one of the strongest criticisms. Art should make you feel and think. Those are things some people don’t do well or can’t do at all. Criticism is one thing but it should never be the same as hate and/or spite just because one “doesn’t get it” about any art. This strips beauty is in the emotions, detail, and craft.

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    arolarson Premium Member over 5 years ago

    As a “mixed media” artist myself, this is my all time favorite strip. I actually get a lot of favorable comments but very few sales. Not many people have room for even small 3-d pieces. But since I create to amuse myself, I don’t mind. So, Sophie, enjoy the process and pay more attention to sweet Tommy.

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    keltii  over 5 years ago

    I noticed she tossed the others in the trash, Myself I’d reuse them as art to prove that trash (nasty notes) can still be used.

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    Venetus Alpha  over 5 years ago

    I always liked “Sundays With Sophie”. So beautiful in it’s simplicity.

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    Lady Bri  over 5 years ago

    Hello Mega Orb, I’ve received news from our dear friend Shaunnmunn: “The biopsy is done & outpatient surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. Jeff & I will be with MIL. May be a very long day, as MIL tends to take hours to come out of anesthesia. Did it when she had a c-section for Jeff & took7 hours to come out of her gallbladder snooze. Doc almost had her stay the night, but we finally got her discharged at 9 p.m. It IS cancer, but doc seems quite optimistic they can get it all in one swoop. Will have to have radiation treatments as a safeguard, and I think it will be no problem to get her to the sessions. The Pink Ribbon campaign has done such good work to make this disease a success for remissions. Twenty years ago MIL would have faced traumatic surgery & treatments. Praise God for the good people who made progressive procedures possible! Would you please give everyone my love and thanks? So thankful for you and all the good people who have responded!” ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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    Kitty Katz  over 5 years ago

    Nobody can tell ya,

    There’s only one song worth singing

    Or one type of art worth seeing,

    ‘Cause they just can’t seem

    To see your point of view!

    So you’ve gotta

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Sing your own special song

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong!

    …….

    Do your favorite artwork

    It make you feel so lonely

    But be true to you only,

    Just to do your thing’s the hardest thing to do

    So you’ve gotta

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Sing your own special song

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong!

    …….

    Remember the one with the missing paw

    If you just touch one life,

    You’ve just shown them all!

    So you’ve gotta

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Sing your own special song

    Make your own kind of artwork

    Don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong!

    Cass Elliot: Make Your Own Kind of Music

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    ladykat  over 5 years ago

    Happy Bunday, orbsters and orbabies! I always picture sweet Sophie’s eyes filling with tears as she reads the nasty letter and blinking them hastily away as she reads Puck’s sweet note.

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    Mr. Organization  over 5 years ago

    I’ve never yet met a critical person who could do a better job than the person they’re criticizing. Criticizers are largely envious cowards whose opinion simply isn’t worth our regard.

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    Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Art gives someone feels. Thats all. If it brings out an emotional response, it’s art.

    Even bad art is art if you loathe it enough. XD

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    Lily.spokescat  over 5 years ago

    Sophie’s going to do something wonderful with tin foil and newspapers.

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    BenBerlin  over 5 years ago

    It saddens me that something like art especially for new artists is often dismissed or treated so badly by others, I for one want people to say hey you could improve, but all too often, they want you to improve by following their rules, in a “my way or the highway” sort of mindset. I am all that much more thankful that there are good people out there (and cats and ponies) who appreciate what artists do, and give them encouragement to keep going despite the negativity. I don’t care what the textbooks say, there is no such thing as “proper art” or “real art”

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    YulanaLow  over 5 years ago

    Here’s to kindness and love!

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    T_Lexi  over 5 years ago

    The sixth panel, where Sophie is completely bummed out, and looking at the last envelope as if she’s thinking, “Should I even bother to open that one?” is SUCH a heartbreaker. And then, what a fabulous high note to end on! <3<3<3

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    Alicelth Premium Member over 5 years ago

    It would be wonderful to have a toy version of Sophie (maybe Tommy too?) dressed in her pink billowing dress and lavender sweater. Just seeing today’s comic of BCN just makes me wish I had Sophie and Tommy around to hug.

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    jonesbeltone  over 5 years ago

    Sophie, in art, as in life, is not easy to show the beauty that abounds. Do not give up sweet girl.

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    Catmom  over 5 years ago

    I have noticed a few, shall we say slightly “testy”, comments from time to time, here and elsewhere. Nothing really horrible, just maybe a little off. Maybe I’ve done so myself, my sense of humor can sometimes be a bit dry and may be misunderstood. I know from experience that sometimes disappointments and troubles can seem overwhelming and make us want to lash out at others who seem to have perfect lives. Maybe a solution would be to take pen and paper and write a rant to one’s heart’s content, get it all out, read it through one more time, and then shred it. In any case, both Sophie and Georgia have handled criticism in the best possible way and I would love to have a print of this strip! Everybody stay safe and warm!

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    tweety6677  over 5 years ago

    I love this strip. Such kindness from Puck to Sophie. We all could learn from Puck.

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    FrannieL Premium Member over 5 years ago

    My sister lost Sassy, Petey’s 15 1/2 year old sister Friday. Sissy, Sassy’s ‘twin’, is having a rather rough time of it at the moment.

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    diskus Premium Member over 5 years ago

    The second easiest thing to do in life is to criticize. Only one thing is easier, to give up

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    Hedgehog  over 5 years ago

    Even tho’ she’s not wearing it today, I love Sophie’s little raspberry beret from last Sunday’s strip. As I recall, it was Georgia’s homage to Prince who had just passed when it originally ran May 26. ’16.

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    rs0204 Premium Member over 5 years ago

    This one always upset me. I just want to pick up Sophie, hold her, tell her all art has value.

    My son is learning classical ballet. He has been doing this since he was 8 years old. My daughter draws, sculpts. I want them to go as far as their talents will take them. I also want to protect them from cruel people who would criticize just to cause pain and anger.

    All art has value.

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    betsypoe  over 5 years ago

    One of my favorite strips of all time.

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    BarbaraKrooss  over 5 years ago

    The irony of the situation is that although Sophie is so sensitive to any negation of the value of her art, she constantly undervalues and rejects Tommy’s gifts of his special talent for friendship. She can create art that speaks of compassion (in the abstract), yet she will say, “Thomas, not now.’ No matter how much she rejects him, Tommy’s still going to be there for her. Always.

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    miscreant  over 5 years ago

    As my mother taught me. If you don’t have anything nice to say, “Shut your mouth!”

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    Jim C Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Keep up the good work, Georgia!

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    KL  over 5 years ago

    Awwww…. sweet little Pucky. Sniff! Smile!

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    Theresa Fichtner Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Love this one. So sweet.

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    salponce  over 5 years ago

    This is one of my favorite breaking cat news strips.

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    Brein43  over 5 years ago

    Brein43 update

    Good morning, my Orb.

    This is Brein43 rejoining the fray after a brief interlude. I want to thank ALL of you for the kind notes, purrs, head bumps and other messages of support. It meant the world to me. You are all correct about my friend Little Gray Monster as well-she is a fantastic friend. Apologies for not responding to your sweet messagesmore promptly- have been in the hospital since 1/9 without access to emails or even a cell phone. I broke out yesterday and am home for a bit.

    So, it looks like I do indeed have some sort of cancer but no other information yet on type, aggressiveness, stage, etc. It was bout twice as big as the CT scan could see. Looks like ovarian and they removed everything related to reproduction ( total hysterectomy) plus the “omemtum”- an internal layer of fat that lines the abdomen sort of like an apron – and likely a few other spare parts which looked like they may be up to no good. I dodged a bullet and do NOT need a colostomy but they removed a foot or so of colon and spliced me back together. I am pretty weak and uncomfortable for now but will try to check in regularly. I see my oncologist ( words I never wanted to use together !) tomorrow, 1/21 and will know more. I am youngish (56) and otherwise in good health- good heart, lungs, etc. so we shall see where this goes.

    One more PSA to women and those who love them-please listen to your body and see a provider sooner rather than later if something seems wrong. It is almost always nothing but this started for me a scant 5 weeks ago with some innocuous symptoms-a little discomfort on the right side, a need to urinate more often and at night, a loss of appetite/weight loss. I let that go on for maybe 2.5 to 3 weeks, saw my doctor 12/18, and here we are-25 pounds and several organs lighter. No family history AT ALL of anything similar.

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    colleen_demaio Premium Member over 5 years ago

    One of my very favorites.

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    PaulTS  over 5 years ago

    I have a suspicion that the second letter writer is Puck.

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    azevedan  over 5 years ago

    Love your work, Georgia.

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    lpayne.1632 Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Just remember: we’re all paper towels!

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    Felicity-the-cat  over 5 years ago

    one of my all-time favorites!

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    willie_mctell  over 5 years ago

    Sophie’s work is always inspired.

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    thesnowleopard Premium Member over 5 years ago

    My three-footed pirate panther queen Pegleg Nellie heartily approves this message.

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    scaeva Premium Member over 5 years ago

    This one is always near and dear to my heart. So many forces stifling creativity these days. Sometimes when I hear someone say “Think outside the box,” my reaction is “Yeah? You couldn’t find the side of the box, let alone the outside.” Most of the time, that phrase means: Find an idea that looks outside of the box, but is really inside. We don’t want to be uncomfortable.

    Even as a scientist I had trouble with that. I couldn’t think anywhere but outside the box. The inside is old data, and boring. Out there is where the interesting things are!

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    jimmjonzz Premium Member over 5 years ago

    Several have designated this as their favorite strip so far. I agree, though there are several other worthy contenders for that honor. It’s been pointed out that this is the first/only episode presented since newspaper syndication began with the art from its original appearance, plus a little “heart” signature. I’m tempted say, Why Tinker With Perfection? Originally, at least in its first appearance on this site (May 31, 2016) it earned 18 likes and 30 comments (two of them from me). Today’s re-offering comes in (as of 4:30 EDT on January 20, 2019) at 278 likes and 156 comments. Nice growth, I’ d say. So good to see the wider audience represented.

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    Code the Enforcer  over 5 years ago

    To Sophie: “Do what you can – with what you have – where you are.” -Teddy Roosevelt

    Keep going, Sophie! :)

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    jimmjonzz Premium Member over 5 years ago

    A poem about an abstract steel-and-wood environmental installon on the quad at Emory University. Written on hearing it ridiculed by some students. Autumn 1979.

    Welded beams of steel, rough-cut logs of pine

    Grow strongly, taproots deep in this true earth

    Their angles, arcs, and thrusted bulk define

    Symmetries of growth, of death and birth

    Bark flakes off and oxides form, these things move

    Artfully raised, they artfully decay

    Convergence of lines and processes prove

    Mutability, movement on display

    Stresses once fossilized in wood and steel

    Now flash through veins of people, birds, and leaves

    Insensate forces coalesce and feel

    As a heart subdued awakes and believes

    To pass on our way with a rested glance

    To be angered, excited, repelled, or drawn

    All these are equally part of the dance

    That we know how to do, need not be shown

    The one who sees is the one who has sight

    And if one dances the dance is right

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    meowlin  over 5 years ago

    I love Puck’s letter of encouragement to Sophie.

    As for the first three letter writers… I’ll leave it to David Lo Pan to address them…

    http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/291/f/9/lo_pan_demotivational_by_blackrock3-d5i8hx3.jpg

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  61. Avatar
    Georgia Dunn creator over 5 years ago

    Thank you for the outpouring of love for this particular strip today, everyone! This is one of my own favorites, because it felt so personal to me I wondered if it would resonate with others—only to realize how many of us experience and share these feelings. This is the first and only newspaper strip to feature the actual artwork from its original web strip, because it did not feel right to change it. (And my editor agreed and supported my decision to keep it as it first appeared).

    Always filter out those mean comments; you know them when you read them. Constructive criticism is helpful, plain ol’ criticism typically just stings (and offers no improvement or solutions). Take kind words to heart and save them for moments when you need them. And if you admire an artist, writer, composer, creative type, or anyone for their work—let them know how much it means to you! Your encouragement can fuel them to keep going. Just one kind comment or compliment can make all the difference on a bad day! <3

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    AmandaHays  over 5 years ago

    Aww Georgia, we love this comic! It is so sweet and innocent. It definitely makes our days a bit sweeter. My dad is physically failing and may not be with us much longer. Breaking Cat News is definitely one of the few bright spots these days.

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    TXD2  over 5 years ago

    Thx to Georgia for taking the time to thank all of us! KK – Isn’t there a Mutual Admiration song?

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    C and O 2666  over 5 years ago

    I wish I could click the heart at least 20 times!

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    TazzTec  over 5 years ago

    Thank you! A very touching reminder of how important it is for me to express my appreciation for the efforts of others.

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    joannepowers Premium Member over 5 years ago

    I love your strip. For your info, we have had cats who work in “found objects”: one orange tabby, Sunkist, would sculpt cardboard boxes with teeth and claws, shredding the corners until they were satisfactorily rendered smooth and lacy; years later, a female orange tabby, Ariel, created “chairs” out of paper grocery bags, carefully stepping on them until they made a supportive lounger adapted to her form.

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    daiynemc  over 5 years ago

    I’m not crying, you’re crying. I just love Puck and his bottomless heart so much!

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    just another cat lover  about 5 years ago

    I notice Puck´s letter is on the windowsill and the others are in the trash

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    Spirit749  over 2 years ago

    Is there anything Puck cannot make better?

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    Fennec! at the Disco  over 1 year ago

    Love the origami crane folded from Puck’s envelope!

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    Our_IX_Lives  5 months ago

    i might cry its so sweet

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