Marmaduke, the Great Dane, from the comic strip of the same name, was created by a man named Brad Anderson in 1954. The strips revolve around a life with a dog and the naturally funny occurrences that happen. When you have a dog that big, many things can happen. One thing that is always clear is the love he has for his owners and theirs for him.
One working Great Dane was Scooby-Doo. Together with human pals, this dog helped solve spooky mysteries. The series ran from 1969 to 1972 every Saturday morning. Scenarios and plots had creepy ghostly or monstrous villains, who just turned out to be humans in disguise. The full names of the characters were Scoobert (Scooby) Doo, Norville (Shaggy) Rogers, Velma Dinkley, Fred (Freddy) Jones, and Daphne Blake.
Ruff and his boy pal, Dennis the Menace were created by Hank Ketcham. Ruff looks a little like his best friend, Dennis. He accompanies Dennis in the corner when he is being punished, just like any best friend would do. According to trivia questions, Ruff is part Afghan, part Old English Sheepdog and another breed, or breeds, mixed in. Hank Ketcham learned his trade at Lantz Studios, and also worked for Walt Disney. The first cartoon panel of Dennis the Menace was published in 1951.
Chic Young created the Blondie comic strip in 1930 and drew it until his death in 1973. His son, Dean Young took over at that time. Blondie was an unmarried flapper when the comic first started. She and Dagwood got married in 1933. As with all families, they had children, whom you will recognize as Cookie and Alexander. The family dog, Daisy made the scene complete. Daisy suffers right along with Dagwood’s foibles and is always there to get treats from the kitchen. Daisy is definitely Dagwood’s dog. Most of the time, you see her at his feet or near him. Her facial expressions vary from panel to panel with the goings on in the strip.
Probably the most well known, well loved, and well recognized cartoon dog is a creation from a man named Charles Schulz. Snoopy the beagle and his multiple personalities started capturing hearts ever since he first appeared in comics in 1950.
Snoopy’s character came from The Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. It must have been a very nurturing place for him to be able to dream up his various personas. Flashbeagle, World War Flying Ace, the Vulture, the Foreign Legionnaire, and the unflappable pre-Fonzie, Joe Cool are just some of his personalities.
From his friendship with a little yellow bird named Woodstock to the loyalty he showed his human pals, Snoopy is an all around every-persons dog. Charles Schulz may no longer be with us, but Snoopy, his happy dance, and that familiar music will always live on, and bring warmth to our hearts, thanks to his talent.
Robin Rounds Whittemore is BellaOnline's Fragrance Editor.
