FUDDLES AND PUDDLES

A cossetted house cat copes with the addition of a rambunctious puppy to his previously placid household.

Fuddles hasn’t changed much since his previous appearances (A Very Fuddles Christmas, 2013, etc.). Still a (big) fan of eating, sleeping, and luxurious living, he’s horrified when his family adopts a dog. The licking, slobbering, and chasing are bad enough, but purloining Fuddles’ food is the last straw. Despite a decisive falling-out, however, Puddles (the aptly named puppy whose indoor accident precedes the first full image of him) still charges to the rescue when Fuddles accidentally encounters the scary dog next door. The plot is predictable, but Vischer energizes the tale with humorous touches in his digitally created cartoon-style artwork. Anthropomorphic antics and exaggerated expressions abound, as do unlikely situations, all set in a sunny, suburban world of green lawns and cozy interiors. The depiction of Fuddles lounging in a bubble bath, the black-and-white montage reviewing his previous (pampered) lives, and the numerous vignettes of Puddles engaged in typical canine behavior also emphasize the pets’ contrasting personalities and preferences. Changes in font size, meanwhile, enliven the straightforward text by creating momentum and revealing emotions.

Most likely to be appreciated by Fuddles’ existing fans, this serviceable story offers another look at the age-old conflict between cats and dogs—and at their traditionally accepted qualities (like laziness and loyalty) as well.