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Artist Who Makes People Cry With Her Comics Released A Sequel To ‘Little Fish’ About The Spirit Of A Dog Visiting Its Owner Who Got A New Puppy
Interview With Artist
When our pets pass on, they leave a void that nearly nothing can fill. And it’s usually too soon to immediately think about getting another pet—the grief is still so strong after losing a lifelong friend. However, what do you do if somebody gets you a new pet? Do you lash out and blame the animal or do you embrace it, accepting it for the potential friend it is, giving it the love it deserves?
Those are the questions that German artist Jenny Hefczyc tackled in her newest comic. In it, the spirit of a dog who’s passed away comes back to visit its owner, as well as the adorable new puppy his brother has given him. The Grim Reaper, an iconic character in Jenny’s comics, also makes an appearance. The comic is a sequel to ‘Little Fish,’ referring to the stuffed toy the dog took on its last journey to the vet together with its owner.
Have a look below, dear Pandas, but be warned—there are some onion-cutting ninjas around and you might shed a tear or two. Jenny revealed to Bored Panda that she wanted to continue owner Zack’s story as soon as the first part of the tale was finished. “I like Zack because he is authentic. He is still young and sometimes too temperamental. But he tries hard to be a good guy. I’m sure Atlas is still worried about the new puppy fitting in, so there’s room for more sequels,” the artist told us about the future of the storyline.
You’ll find Bored Panda’s latest features of Jenny’s work here (neglected hamster), here (lonely swan), and here (tribute to shelter staff).
More info: Jenny-Jinya.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Redbubble | Patreon
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In her previous comic, ‘Little Fish,’ artist Jenny showed an owner saying goodbye to his beloved dog. Here is an excerpt from it. You can find the full comic right here
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Jenny touched upon the emotional topic of how much life changes after our old friends pass on
Image credits: jenny_jinya
The artist recently published a sequel to ‘Little Fish’ in which she continues the story by having the spirit of the departed dog visit its owner
Image credits: jenny_jinya
“After ‘Little Fish’ was completed, I knew the story had to continue somehow,” Jenny explained.
“I felt sorry for Zack and never had a name for his poor shepherd. As a dog owner, the story got to me at the time. Making the sequel was less brutal, somehow I like the idea of departed souls (whether human or animal) stopping by now and then to see if we’re okay. So actually the comic had rather something comforting for me,” the artist shared that the sequel was easier to draw emotionally than the prequel.
Jenny also had some words of wisdom to share with anyone who may have recently lost a beloved pet. “What helped me was knowing that I did everything I could to give my pet a good life. I showered them with love and cared for their health, their life ends too soon, but we have wonderful memories. You don’t have to replace a deceased pet right away either, take your time to grieve.”
Previously, I interviewed Jenny about her comic ‘Little Fish,’ to which her latest comic is a sequel, showing the owner’s grief after having to put down a lifelong pal.
“As someone who has loved animals all her life, I naturally had to let many go at some point. I also often take in sick and injured animals, not all of them make it. I always stayed with these animals until the end because it felt natural, like the right thing to do,” Jenny told Bored Panda earlier.
“But then a heart-moving letter from a veterinarian went viral, who also asked not to leave pets alone in their final moments. This made me feel additionally confirmed and I wanted to draw about it even more,” she shared her inspiration for ‘Little Fish.’
That particular prequel comic took a far longer time for the artist to draw because of how emotionally powerful the topic was. “I saw my own dog in this comic and it was often incredibly difficult for me. I was rarely so relieved that a comic was finished. But I wanted this topic to be talked about more,” she said.
Jenny said that we should do whatever we can to give our pets one last great day before they’re put to sleep and pass on. It’s our chance to thank them for the years of warmth and friendship they’ve given us. “Let it see its friends again, let it eat its favorite food. Let it know it is loved above all else. And then escort it to its last stop, make sure that the last voice it hears is yours.”
Jenny usually needs around a week to draw a single comic, but there’s a lot of unseen research about animals and their welfare that she does in the background. Her comics are always well-researched and are a credit to journalism, not just illustration.
For Jenny, art and drawing have been a part of her life ever since she can remember, her mom even joking that she could draw before she could walk. She opened up about how she “never stopped scribbling” after picking up a pencil as a kid and having a clear path toward wanting to be an artist. “I wanted to tell stories and create worlds,” she said.
People were getting very emotional after reading the German illustrator’s latest comic
What did you feel after reading through Jenny’s latest comic? Have you ever been in a situation like this? How long did it take for you to consider getting a new pet after your old buddy passed away? Share your thoughts and your feelings in the comments below.
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Bear 3 years ago
aww this hit so hard... My Great Dane died of old age, and a few months before he died we got another dog (great pyrenes) he's to young to understand how important it is to be able to snuggle with him, especially when my great dane would let my brothers lay on him. im happy we have the great pyrenees and he will never replace my great dane, but I can never get the picture of my dad and uncle carrying him out because he couldn't stand up. Rest in peace murphy ❤
Kelli from Fitness Blender 3 years ago
Oh my gosh, I'm sobbing. Every one of these comics are heart-breakingly wholesome.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
My beloved mixed-mutt died when I was 21. I am thirty years older and still miss her. I miss all of them. Each one a lovely unique being, and missed. NOW CALL OFF THE ONION_NINJAS!
Janine B. 3 years ago
I feel you, Leo. I still dream about all my long lost pals. Miss each one of them.
Load More Replies...
Giulia 3 years ago
i'm 24 years old and in my life i never had a pet. on september of 2019 me and my boyfriend adopted a black cat that was left in a box at a veterinarian and at first i wasn't sure because i kept thinking "when he'll die i'd be devastated". but. i changed my mind because i thought about how many great memories we will make with him. it's only been an year and an half and i feel like i had him from my whole life. i love our cat so much and, when his time will come i hope to remeber than we gave him the best life we could and so, so much love. love is stronger than grief, even if it will still be so hard, i'm happy we took him to live with us.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
Knew this would make me cry.... My last dog - the first one I owned for myself- died in 2017, and I couldn't put the water-bowl away. I could clean up everything else, but not the water-bowl. It needed to be there. Bed, food-bowl, everything else - no problem. Man, I still cry just thinking about taking it away. I knew I would get another dog as soon as possible - the lack of the nails clicking on the floor or the sigh when he went to bed is just too horrible to endure for long - and that water-bowl needed to be there, waiting for the newcomer. I'm lucky, my parents live close and they have a dog, too, so I wasn't ever really dog-less in that time, but damn... My mom said "But you won't just get a new one right away, right??" and I said "nooooooo, of course not" but about half a months later, she said "So... did you look for a new dog yet?" It might sound insensitive, but not in my case. I NEED a dog in my life. So in August 2017, my girl Scully went to live with me. Lucky me.
Christine 3 years ago
Same. I lost my cat of 17 years in Feb. 2017 and adopted an older cat about a month later. She just passed away 3 weeks ago. I've lived with a cat almost nonstop since 1999 and it's hard not having one in the house. I've already been perusing the local humane society for another older cat to adopt.
Load More Replies...
Yvonne Riggs 3 years ago
When my cat passed, I would if occasionally feel him jump on the bed and walk towards me always stopping short.
Tacos Are Tasty 3 years ago
I've had this happen after my cat passed. Sometimes I'd even feel them rub on my leg. They're always with us, even after they've passed.
Load More Replies...
Eva Bryson 3 years ago
Dear Jenny: I wish you could do one for a horse. My sister recently lost hers and I wanted to give her something to help through the grief.
snipergun 3 years ago
Should be with happy safe feelings and happy place the rainbow bridge. I do hope your wish will be seen and fulfilled.
Load More Replies...
TheReader19 3 years ago (edited)
Always been a crazy cat lady and have lost several cats which have hurt my heart to the core. However I did have one dog Zarda a doberman whom I had to put down. I've always felt really bad to have put her down I felt I done it to early. 20 years later I still can't get another dog as I still feel guilty about Zarda whom I loved more that words can say.
cassiushumanmother 3 years ago
But what kind of monster bury their beloved ones without their favorite toys? I buried my late dog with his favorite toy and a lock of my hair (in case he needs it to clone me of course) and my late cat with his favorite handmade mouse/rat. It takes time and you can never replace them, the holes they left behind are never filled but they can make a beautiful paper garland with time instead of a black hole.
Sheryl Logan 3 years ago
This hit hard because all of my dogs have been special and they usually tell Me to get the next one even when they are not here anymore. It's when I don't hear them laying down or I don't get the nudge to go potty even when they are gone.
Victoria the Dragon Girl 3 years ago
It made me cry, knowing that my dog MIGHT just do that with me when he dies.... this story was so sweet.
Bill Cipher 3 years ago
IM NOT CRYING THE ONION NINJAS ARE WORKING OVERTIME AND I CAN'T FIND THEM SO IM GONNA SET MY HOUSE ON FIRE REAL QUICK
Miriam Bucholtz 3 years ago
I started rescuing cats one or two at a time in 1990. I'm no stranger to having to let them go when it's their time. There's no replacing an animal companion; the way I've always looked at it is, to honor a life that's ended, save another that's in danger.
Fall Out Genderfluid 3 years ago
This was not a good choice to read the day before my dog growing up is going to be euthanized
Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
I have never forgiven my mom for putting my dog down without letting me know so I could come home to be there at the end. And my mom couldn't bear to be with my dog at the end. It's been 22 years and I still cry.
Jennifer Hargett 3 years ago
My girl, Scout died almost 2 years ago. Today would have been her 18th birthday. I miss her so much. I hope she's eating steak and ice cream and catching all the squirrels.
Katinka Min 3 years ago
Reading this with my dog sleeping at my feet. She is almost 10 and I am terrified of the day I have ot let her go. But it's the price we pay. I think, I will get another dog, very soon. Definitely a different breed, though.
𝕜𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟ᴛʜᴇ𝕜𝕚𝕕𝕕 1 year ago
2.5 years ago my fiancee and I brought our cat Ruckus to the vet one last time. He suddenly got really sick and the vets has theories but ultimately told us he was too old and it wouldn't be the best option to put him through a bunch of tests and treatments. We brought his favorite toy and a plush blanket he loved. We wrapped him in it and held him until his last breath. When he was alive he would knead it and suck on the blanket. He had it for years. It has cats and dogs with unicorn horns and he slept in bed with us each night, him on top of the blanket in the middle of my fiancee and I. A few months later we got a new cat, and then a new dog. The dog found Ruckus's blankie and immediately went and laid on it. It still had bits of Ruckus's fur from when they shaved him to inject him. It was oddly the last piece of him we couldn't bear to get rid of. Our dog stryder sleeps on the blanket every day while we are at work. Now it's his security blanket. ❤️
Demon Girl 2 years ago
We always seem to, in my opinion, get pets a little too fast. We got our 2nd cat, Shade, bout a month after our very very VERY old cat, Dune, died. however... shade died very fast. we got a new cat Indy, and I swear to god he better not die.
Demon Girl 2 years ago
We buried a box of each of there favorite things in the backyard, along with a collar on top.
Load More Replies...
Mary Bricklin 3 years ago
My sister's/parent's dog passed away about 7 years ago and about a year afterwards, they got a new dog. I love this dog so much but for a while, all I could do was say or think things like "Buddy used to do things like that" or "Buddy never did things like that". It was too soon for me, clearly.
Chaotic_pansexual 3 years ago
I really try not to cry at things so easily but these things hit so hard
Doubleheader 3 years ago
HONESTLY I didn't even need to read the comic, I just started crying at the cover picture. orz
Carnival Cat 3 years ago
My cat ran away I loved him but he didn't love me :'/. Like several months later though we found 2 kittens under my grandparents shed and one of the kittens looked just like him. Now thats my adorable cat that's the permanent size of larger kitten. It's so clingy It both sleeps with me and walks into the bathroom with me or sits outside the door and meows, waits, and scratches. I love my cat she's the world to me<3
Eliyahu Rooff 3 years ago
The answer to the author's question about what to do with your pet's toys when he's gone is, you take them to the local animal shelter or rescue group, and share them with pets that have no toys. In the process, you may even find a pet that needs to come home with you.
Ginny Weasley 3 years ago
#1im crying and i shouldnt be so sad abt this. #2 it may be funny but you guys in the other comments, its OK to cry, got that. onion ninjas or infdoor rain is a silly thing but its not right.
Courtney Story 3 years ago
This is why I make an effort to adopt a new dog while my old dog is still active enough to play with and teach them. I don't have to worry so much about cats because new kittens keep popping up on my driveway. Though, I did lose one cat that left me in a huge funk. It took years for me to start to recover from her death, even though she was far from the first pet that I had lost.
ADumpsterFire 3 years ago
I took in my dog Xena now about a month after my dog Muggy passed away. I found myself caring for her, but not exactly loving her. She had such a different little personality and can be very challenging. The turning point was realizing it's ok she isn't the same, and I don't want her to be! Now a year later she's my best friend and a steadfast companion. She didn't fill the hole left by my last dog, but made her own new place in my heart. Sorry for the long comment!!
Misha Writer 3 years ago
Two years ago I lost my baby to lymphoma. She had been abused before she came to me. She didn't know how to dog. She never learned to play with toys, but she was a sweet baby. When she eventually let me get close to her, she'd sneeze which I have learned is a valuable communication tool for a dog, rather than a bark, to say I'm okay, I want to play or something similar. After she left me, I adopted a new baby, and when I was talking to my mom about Sage the very night Crowley came home, he sneezed. I have had him two years, he is not a sneezer. But that night I honestly believe the perfectly timed sneeze was Sage's way of telling me she was still with me, and that she approved of bringing Crowley home. Sometimes he will also give me nose bumps, which was how Koty (the dog I had before Sage) would give kisses, but he is a very exuberant kisser, so when he does the nose bumps it's Koty.
youtube viewing only yea 3 years ago
This hurt holy f**k... But thank you for sharing this. A dear advertising colleague and designer passed away cause of covid 19 yesterday. This helped to comfort me. Thanks a lot
RustyLion Bro 3 years ago
Aww, this is really sad.. It reminds me of my hamster, that died last month...
Snake of Eden 3 years ago
Man, Hit comic after hit comic. This guy knows how to push all the right buttons. To evoke emotions like that is extremely hard. Kudos to you for doing it over and over again (even if it is at my expense... *sniff*)
Bear 3 years ago
aww this hit so hard... My Great Dane died of old age, and a few months before he died we got another dog (great pyrenes) he's to young to understand how important it is to be able to snuggle with him, especially when my great dane would let my brothers lay on him. im happy we have the great pyrenees and he will never replace my great dane, but I can never get the picture of my dad and uncle carrying him out because he couldn't stand up. Rest in peace murphy ❤
Kelli from Fitness Blender 3 years ago
Oh my gosh, I'm sobbing. Every one of these comics are heart-breakingly wholesome.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
My beloved mixed-mutt died when I was 21. I am thirty years older and still miss her. I miss all of them. Each one a lovely unique being, and missed. NOW CALL OFF THE ONION_NINJAS!
Janine B. 3 years ago
I feel you, Leo. I still dream about all my long lost pals. Miss each one of them.
Load More Replies... Giulia 3 years ago
i'm 24 years old and in my life i never had a pet. on september of 2019 me and my boyfriend adopted a black cat that was left in a box at a veterinarian and at first i wasn't sure because i kept thinking "when he'll die i'd be devastated". but. i changed my mind because i thought about how many great memories we will make with him. it's only been an year and an half and i feel like i had him from my whole life. i love our cat so much and, when his time will come i hope to remeber than we gave him the best life we could and so, so much love. love is stronger than grief, even if it will still be so hard, i'm happy we took him to live with us.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
Knew this would make me cry.... My last dog - the first one I owned for myself- died in 2017, and I couldn't put the water-bowl away. I could clean up everything else, but not the water-bowl. It needed to be there. Bed, food-bowl, everything else - no problem. Man, I still cry just thinking about taking it away. I knew I would get another dog as soon as possible - the lack of the nails clicking on the floor or the sigh when he went to bed is just too horrible to endure for long - and that water-bowl needed to be there, waiting for the newcomer. I'm lucky, my parents live close and they have a dog, too, so I wasn't ever really dog-less in that time, but damn... My mom said "But you won't just get a new one right away, right??" and I said "nooooooo, of course not" but about half a months later, she said "So... did you look for a new dog yet?" It might sound insensitive, but not in my case. I NEED a dog in my life. So in August 2017, my girl Scully went to live with me. Lucky me.
Christine 3 years ago
Same. I lost my cat of 17 years in Feb. 2017 and adopted an older cat about a month later. She just passed away 3 weeks ago. I've lived with a cat almost nonstop since 1999 and it's hard not having one in the house. I've already been perusing the local humane society for another older cat to adopt.
Load More Replies... Yvonne Riggs 3 years ago
When my cat passed, I would if occasionally feel him jump on the bed and walk towards me always stopping short.
Tacos Are Tasty 3 years ago
I've had this happen after my cat passed. Sometimes I'd even feel them rub on my leg. They're always with us, even after they've passed.
Load More Replies... Eva Bryson 3 years ago
Dear Jenny: I wish you could do one for a horse. My sister recently lost hers and I wanted to give her something to help through the grief.
snipergun 3 years ago
Should be with happy safe feelings and happy place the rainbow bridge. I do hope your wish will be seen and fulfilled.
Load More Replies... TheReader19 3 years ago (edited)
Always been a crazy cat lady and have lost several cats which have hurt my heart to the core. However I did have one dog Zarda a doberman whom I had to put down. I've always felt really bad to have put her down I felt I done it to early. 20 years later I still can't get another dog as I still feel guilty about Zarda whom I loved more that words can say.
cassiushumanmother 3 years ago
But what kind of monster bury their beloved ones without their favorite toys? I buried my late dog with his favorite toy and a lock of my hair (in case he needs it to clone me of course) and my late cat with his favorite handmade mouse/rat. It takes time and you can never replace them, the holes they left behind are never filled but they can make a beautiful paper garland with time instead of a black hole.
Sheryl Logan 3 years ago
This hit hard because all of my dogs have been special and they usually tell Me to get the next one even when they are not here anymore. It's when I don't hear them laying down or I don't get the nudge to go potty even when they are gone.
Victoria the Dragon Girl 3 years ago
It made me cry, knowing that my dog MIGHT just do that with me when he dies.... this story was so sweet.
Bill Cipher 3 years ago
IM NOT CRYING THE ONION NINJAS ARE WORKING OVERTIME AND I CAN'T FIND THEM SO IM GONNA SET MY HOUSE ON FIRE REAL QUICK
Miriam Bucholtz 3 years ago
I started rescuing cats one or two at a time in 1990. I'm no stranger to having to let them go when it's their time. There's no replacing an animal companion; the way I've always looked at it is, to honor a life that's ended, save another that's in danger.
Fall Out Genderfluid 3 years ago
This was not a good choice to read the day before my dog growing up is going to be euthanized
Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
I have never forgiven my mom for putting my dog down without letting me know so I could come home to be there at the end. And my mom couldn't bear to be with my dog at the end. It's been 22 years and I still cry.
Jennifer Hargett 3 years ago
My girl, Scout died almost 2 years ago. Today would have been her 18th birthday. I miss her so much. I hope she's eating steak and ice cream and catching all the squirrels.
Katinka Min 3 years ago
Reading this with my dog sleeping at my feet. She is almost 10 and I am terrified of the day I have ot let her go. But it's the price we pay. I think, I will get another dog, very soon. Definitely a different breed, though.
𝕜𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟ᴛʜᴇ𝕜𝕚𝕕𝕕 1 year ago
2.5 years ago my fiancee and I brought our cat Ruckus to the vet one last time. He suddenly got really sick and the vets has theories but ultimately told us he was too old and it wouldn't be the best option to put him through a bunch of tests and treatments. We brought his favorite toy and a plush blanket he loved. We wrapped him in it and held him until his last breath. When he was alive he would knead it and suck on the blanket. He had it for years. It has cats and dogs with unicorn horns and he slept in bed with us each night, him on top of the blanket in the middle of my fiancee and I. A few months later we got a new cat, and then a new dog. The dog found Ruckus's blankie and immediately went and laid on it. It still had bits of Ruckus's fur from when they shaved him to inject him. It was oddly the last piece of him we couldn't bear to get rid of. Our dog stryder sleeps on the blanket every day while we are at work. Now it's his security blanket. ❤️
Demon Girl 2 years ago
We always seem to, in my opinion, get pets a little too fast. We got our 2nd cat, Shade, bout a month after our very very VERY old cat, Dune, died. however... shade died very fast. we got a new cat Indy, and I swear to god he better not die.
Demon Girl 2 years ago
We buried a box of each of there favorite things in the backyard, along with a collar on top.
Load More Replies... Mary Bricklin 3 years ago
My sister's/parent's dog passed away about 7 years ago and about a year afterwards, they got a new dog. I love this dog so much but for a while, all I could do was say or think things like "Buddy used to do things like that" or "Buddy never did things like that". It was too soon for me, clearly.
Chaotic_pansexual 3 years ago
I really try not to cry at things so easily but these things hit so hard
Doubleheader 3 years ago
HONESTLY I didn't even need to read the comic, I just started crying at the cover picture. orz
Carnival Cat 3 years ago
My cat ran away I loved him but he didn't love me :'/. Like several months later though we found 2 kittens under my grandparents shed and one of the kittens looked just like him. Now thats my adorable cat that's the permanent size of larger kitten. It's so clingy It both sleeps with me and walks into the bathroom with me or sits outside the door and meows, waits, and scratches. I love my cat she's the world to me<3
Eliyahu Rooff 3 years ago
The answer to the author's question about what to do with your pet's toys when he's gone is, you take them to the local animal shelter or rescue group, and share them with pets that have no toys. In the process, you may even find a pet that needs to come home with you.
Ginny Weasley 3 years ago
#1im crying and i shouldnt be so sad abt this. #2 it may be funny but you guys in the other comments, its OK to cry, got that. onion ninjas or infdoor rain is a silly thing but its not right.
Courtney Story 3 years ago
This is why I make an effort to adopt a new dog while my old dog is still active enough to play with and teach them. I don't have to worry so much about cats because new kittens keep popping up on my driveway. Though, I did lose one cat that left me in a huge funk. It took years for me to start to recover from her death, even though she was far from the first pet that I had lost.
ADumpsterFire 3 years ago
I took in my dog Xena now about a month after my dog Muggy passed away. I found myself caring for her, but not exactly loving her. She had such a different little personality and can be very challenging. The turning point was realizing it's ok she isn't the same, and I don't want her to be! Now a year later she's my best friend and a steadfast companion. She didn't fill the hole left by my last dog, but made her own new place in my heart. Sorry for the long comment!!
Misha Writer 3 years ago
Two years ago I lost my baby to lymphoma. She had been abused before she came to me. She didn't know how to dog. She never learned to play with toys, but she was a sweet baby. When she eventually let me get close to her, she'd sneeze which I have learned is a valuable communication tool for a dog, rather than a bark, to say I'm okay, I want to play or something similar. After she left me, I adopted a new baby, and when I was talking to my mom about Sage the very night Crowley came home, he sneezed. I have had him two years, he is not a sneezer. But that night I honestly believe the perfectly timed sneeze was Sage's way of telling me she was still with me, and that she approved of bringing Crowley home. Sometimes he will also give me nose bumps, which was how Koty (the dog I had before Sage) would give kisses, but he is a very exuberant kisser, so when he does the nose bumps it's Koty.
youtube viewing only yea 3 years ago
This hurt holy f**k... But thank you for sharing this. A dear advertising colleague and designer passed away cause of covid 19 yesterday. This helped to comfort me. Thanks a lot
RustyLion Bro 3 years ago
Aww, this is really sad.. It reminds me of my hamster, that died last month...
Snake of Eden 3 years ago
Man, Hit comic after hit comic. This guy knows how to push all the right buttons. To evoke emotions like that is extremely hard. Kudos to you for doing it over and over again (even if it is at my expense... *sniff*)
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