Raise him up in the way he should go

That's exactly how it worked with me!

Maybe I shouldn’t use the past tense.
 

Porch sitters

I've been involved in news, politics and government for a decade or two now, and I don't understand what's going on in politics nowadays either!
 

Sketchbook: It’s not what you say but how you say it

We all feel like that from time to time. 

Live. Laugh. Bark.

Sometimes things get lost in translation.
 

All the amenities

I know what the back of a minivan can look like after a weekend trip to the coast with the kids. Can you imagine the back of a Conestoga after a months-long trip across the plains?
 

He who hath ears to hear...

For all you readers in or affiliated with the United States, happy Independence Day! For the rest of you, happy Thursday!

It's time for the annual reminder to protect your pupper's hearing! There are a lot of dogs (and cats, I understand) that get upset at the noises that go along with the firework celebrations on the Fourth. 

I'm lucky. My last few pets have actually liked fireworks! I had one, D'Artagnan, who tried to fetch the ground flowers — not an activity I would recommend for either dogs or humans!

 

Leader of the pack

Yes, it’s a variation of a very old joke. One that I’m sure has been around since the days of Joseph Smith. 

What this really is is an excuse to draw a bunch of dogs. 
 

Sketchbook: Many are collared but few are chosen

Some things are easier to forgive than others. 
 

The tie's the thing

Neckwear has a certain cachet amongst missionaries. Some ties have great meaning and hold a lot of sentimental (or sartorial) value. I have ties from my mission that I would never want to part with. Yet there are other ties that are practically disposable. I've got a few of those, too. That's why it's so sad to lose the ones you love.
 

Sketchbook: It's a gift

One for all my dog-loving friends.
 

Sketchbook: Nearer to thee

For me it’s the little yipper dogs that can quickly turn my thoughts away from the celestial. 
 

Approach with caution

The original sketch for this had the dog asking a deep doctrinal question. My editor, Sis. B., suggested something a little more gentle. I think this worked out a lot better!
 

Back in your arms

We had a dog — a Great Pyrenees — who was just a little bitty puppy when my son left on his mission. When he got back, she weighed about 125 pounds. But she remembered that he used to carry her around in his arms. She kept trying to get him to carry her like she used to. Nearly killed them both!
 

Sketchbook: Be canine ready

Most dogs are not fans of fireworks. All too often they spend Independence Day in misery and anxiety because of the loud noises of fireworks and other celebrations.

My thought is that next to every pop up tent that sells fireworks, there should also be a canine comfort tent where you can get stuff that will help your dog cope.

Of course my dog has to be different. She likes fireworks and tries to chase them down! She came close one time to fetching a ground flower!

Either way, take care of your pets. Keep them safe and they'll take care of you!

This has been a public service announcement from friends of puppers and this station. Thank you.
 

Sketchbook: Missionary protocol

Our dog really likes the missionaries. Really likes them. Problem is, she's a Great Pyrenees and weighs something like 150 pounds. And we have sister missionaries.

Pyrenees are herding dogs, which means she wants everyone to be in their proper place — and she doesn't like people to leave. Especially missionaries. So the sisters came to visit, and closed their visit with a message and a prayer. When they stood up to leave, our doggo (who had been napping) jumped up — all 150 pounds of giant dog — and tried to get the sisters to stay by herding them back to the couch.

The sisters were a little surprised. But at least they know that our puppy loves them!
 

Going to the dogs

In my humble opinion, making friends with pets is an underutilized tool in the missionary toolkit.
 

Sketchbook: An acquired taste

Nothing better to a dog then the taste of fresh missionary in the morning!

The last word

Wouldn’t it be poetic justice if tonight all the dogs that were spooked by Fourth of July fireworks got together and started barking and howling? In my neighborhood they’d be going until one in the morning!
 

Doggone it

Our dog could certainly swallow a missionary whole — she’s a Great Pyrenees — but she chooses not to. 
 

Hidden treasures

There's nothing better than a bad pun!