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Please get some good advice regarding dog care. An earlier strip suggested a veterinarian said table scraps are appropriate dog food (look for a new vet!), a puppy's "accident" reaped punishment way after the fact (he'd no idea why he was hit) and today, Easter treats were left for the dog to find and eat (ingesting a bunch of chocolate could be fatal for the family dog). I know it's "just a comic strip" but geesh.

Suzn, AZ

Ok it's been many years and I never find all the eggs. What am I missing.

Rhonda K, NE

Again, I must chime in with some of the criticisms being lobbed at the strip. Maybe it's because I come from a different time from the younger readers (I never thought I'd say that!), but some of you are taking the occasional comic strip conceits of humor WAAAAY too seriously. Yes, kicking a real dog is abuse, but I remember watching a lot of pratfall humor on old cartoons, and seeing "violent" punchlines in strips that right-thinking people would NEVER do in "real life" and laughed at them all the same. I support political correctness, but we as a people take some things too much to heart. I for one still know how to laugh at absurdity for absurdity's sake.

Scott C, Hopedale, MA

Although I would love to have had the storyline continue, I am enjoying the re-runs. I did not discover this strip until it was well underway, and often felt that I wished I could have started at the beginning, so I am enjoying this opportunity. Thank you Lynn.

Glenda D, Kaneohe, HI

Your strip is wonderful and I am really enjoying going back in time. I don't understand all the the PC do-gooders giving you heck, though. Elly doesn't beat Farley (who by the way is her best friend and confidant), John is the typical male that goes ga ga over his beautiful wife when she dolls up, and the kids aren't being neglected. This is the absolute most true-to-life strip because it shows how we all REALLY ARE. Give me a house full of kids, dogs and crazy parents any day. THAT is a family to be loved and a family that loves.

Anne, Orlando, FL

For this I majored in English Lit? OK, beloved (not yet born) Grandchild, I can't let you watch too much TV, but we can look at this comic strip on the computer together. See this silly lady? She watches too much TV and feels bad about doing it. Here she is hurrying home when her little girl named Elizabeth wants to keep riding in the stroller outside. She HAS to watch her TV show. Here she is telling her son that it doesn't matter that Elizabeth has flushed Daddy's socks down the toilet. There might be water all over the floor but she has to watch her show and will not look at the toilet until the commercial comes on. She knows watching TV when you can't stop is bad. It also makes her want to eat too much but she does it anyway. And look at this colored Sunday Strip. She used to take the dog for walks, but now she doesn't because she wants to watch TV. So what happened? Poor doggy couldn't let himself outside so he peed on the floor. Because she watches so much TV she buys the things on the commercials!. The TV commercial has made her buy a product for cleaning up smells and she is using it. She has her nose right on the floor to see if the Whiffex works.Doesn't she look silly? She can still smell it and that makes her mad, so she sends the dog out. He doesn't understand. He has already gone to the bathroom. What would you say to the silly lady who can't stop watching TV? Would you tell her to take Elizabeth and Farley for walks instead? Now if you want, I can tell you what the words in the balloons over their heads say.To Fellow Bean Spillers -This is not meant to poke fun at the more serious interpretations. I might not have thought about it if so many had not written in. Thanks, it was fun writing it.

Amy D, Vienna, VA

As for Lynn setting "an example" for children.... It is not Lynn's job to raise your children. Cookie Monster also didn't make your kids fat or teach them that vegetables are evil. It is always easier to blame someone else. Stop passing off responsibility (especially to a comic strip!) and raise your kids yourself.

Lisa M, MT

There's nothing wrong with letting a dog out into a fenced yard. But neglecting proper housebreaking & then angrily kicking your pet is VERY wrong. We saw from the first that Elly did not want Farley. We saw her paper-training him, then taking him outside on a chilly day and yelling at him because he was slow doing his business and SHE was not warmly dressed. Later, we saw her grimly walking him through the snow--while already burdened with Elizabeth. We've also seen her feed him at odd hours & plan to let him dispose of leftovers. The poor animal needs consistency, not mixed messages.

KM, Houston, TX

I laughed at Farley "getting the boot" in the Sunday strip. I've had dogs all my life (primarily black labs and golden retrievers). I have loved them just like a family member - because they are a family member. However, I've also had to "boot" them out the door when they have made a mess. It's not because I hate them, or am an abuser... the dogs just know they have done something wrong, and don't have a place to hide. Bigger dogs like Farley and my labs can take a gentle nudge. I would never put my foot on a tiny dog - THAT is cruelty. Lynn - make no apologies for your work. It's fun, thought-provoking, and real. Keep up the great effort!!

Jim I, Bloomington, IN

I have followed For Better since I was a kid, now I'm 34 and this past winter my local paper, the Indianapolis Star, stopped carrying the strip. BOO! I cancelled my paper subscription, and found the FBoFW.com site. Thanks for the many good reads.

Tony H, Indianapolis, IN

The current strips remind me of what I miss in FBFW -- the engaging, complex, addictive stories. They were soap operas, only better, and kept me coming back first thing every morning....Still enjoying the gentle humor of everyday family life; thanks for carrying on, Lynn!

Sylvan B, Providence, RI

I am enjoying the "look back" at the Patterson family. However, I do miss following the family after they grew up.

Gail M, Corpus Christi, TX

Have enjoyed your wit and wisdom for many years; your strip of 4-03 brought me to my knees in laughter of the "rented lady", her expression was perfect. Men, take due note of what you tell your gal.Most sincerely, a fellow dystonia 'owner'.

Bob C, Loveland, CO