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Thursday’s strip was very funny. I’ve always concurred that the true sign of an adult is a person who WANTS to go to school. As children we count the days until it’s over but as an adult we want it to continue. I suppose that’s the difference between an enforced education and a personal choice to learn more. Psychologists have also countered that change is essential to growth and it’s only when things stop changing that life grows placid. Perhaps that is someone else an adult education gives you, a chance to grow again. Education comes from the Latin e-ducere which means to draw out. So instead of jamming in information a proper education ‘draws out’ the best of yourself. That’s why the character Elly wants to go to school, to feel better.

Elizabeth, Guelph, ON, Canada

There must've been a misprint of Friday's strip on Yahoo when John says Elly has a fever of 104. 100, I can buy, but 104? Not a chance. Elly would barely be coherent and totally unable to get around on her own, nevermind walking, talking, thinking, and feeling like she's well enough to head to her night class. You've raised two kids, so I know you've dealt with fevers and should know how (not) functional someone is at various body temperatures. I really, really hope this is just a misprint or a mistake made converting Centigrade to Fahrenheit.

Cheryl

I know you've been deluged with letters about Elly's unfeasibly high fever but there's a simple, elegant solution: her temperature is really one hundred POINT four (100.4). It's a dead easy mistake that can be and is made.

Paul J, Saint John, NB, Canada

I'm very concerned about the message the 11/16/09 strip is sending.

Make no mistake, I am an animal lover; and I'm very sure my two cats have put up with a lot from me, especially when it comes time for grooming.

On the other hand, I stop well short of assuming thir tolerance is some kind of tribute to me!
Animals just are not wired that way. What Farley is actually doing here is acknowledging that Elly is the strongest and more dominant of his pack, and thus has the right to beat on him whenever she wants.

Thus, try as I might, the only 'punchline' I can take away from this strip (backed up by most of the Farley strips to date, come to think of it) from either a fanciful or realistic POV is 'Ooh, isn't it cute how the wittle victim still wuvs his abuser?'

Which is obviously a highly problematic concept for a strip as real-world influential as FBoFW to be sending. Especially since it's been demonstrated that people who think it's OK to abuse animals often go on to abuse humans.

Kerrie M, Toronto, ON, Canada

I loved today's (11/15/09) strip. It struck a chord common to all animal lovers: animals can and are among the most selfless and forgiving and loving creatures there are. They have qualities that we as humans should try to emulate more often.
Thank you for doing this strip. I do read your strip every Sunday. So much real life!!!!!!!
Carry on!!!!!

Judy W, Kutztown, PA, USA

Hey! I have had very similar experiences with my two rats. One day long ago, one of my rats somehow managed to climb up my wooden drawer and since I keep things up there, like a foam penguin, she got it and when I finally caught her up there, she had bitten off a face piece! I was unhappy with her, that penguin is special to me. So I completely understand how Elly feels. Except my rats know when they have done something wrong.

Dunny, CA, USA

Elly finally has human eyes on 11/14 strip. In sickness, but not in health: usually there're just dots.
I love Lynn's story telling though.

Margaret M, Newburyport, MA, USA

I love your strip - always have and always will. Thank you for the reruns - thank you for reprinting something from my childhood that shows the world the way it was then. What it also shows is how our parent's generation viewed parenting us. I hope to see many more of these reruns and thank you again for a stroll down memory lane!!

Catherine G, Albany, NY, USA