It's a happy kind of passed out. . .

Aww. . .

Wait - has Ziggy given his pets alcohol?

Cats and Compys

Actually, this already happened. As cute as that little kitty was, the Z never seemed to take a shine to her - we never saw her after the wonder of her initial multi-panel appearance. On the other hand, maybe she's referring to Ziggy's standby cat. Then again, those two never got along.

Now that we're on the subject of Ziggy's discouraging love life, let's see how things are going on the computer dating service front:


On second thought, let's not.

He also controls the stove of hellfire

Really? I'd love to read that Bible. Judging by the looks on both the cat's and parrot's faces (the dog being incapable of holding malice), Ziggy is the kind of God that you carve up and throw into a volcano.

Still, this gets into the question of worship through utility. Culture throughout history have worshiped some non-omniscient, non-omnipotent beings merely because they believed them to have control over some singular aspect of their existence. For hunter-gatherers it was fertility and protection from death and disease, while primitive agriculturists followed beings with control over the rain and invading pests. Modern Christians train their children to pray for random favors such as bicycles and generic "blessings" for others. After all, if you can't do it for yourself, then isn't there something remarkable about the one with that particular talent or ability? All of this is just a roundabout way to say that, within a limit subsection of Animalia, a God of can openers may not be that farfetched a concept.

EDIT: Somehow I printed this one on the wrong day. I doubt it will destroy the Ziggy chronology.

Babytalk and Snuggles

(click to enlarge)

As cynical as I am, my mind still shuts down when I see a strip like this. The tantalizing monkey's paw-tinged specificity of Ziggy's horoscope, wonder of the multiple panels and inconsistency of the art all fall through for one singular thought: "Kitty!"

For the Mob it Was a Horse's Head

You've been dead all day?

Those mice are gonna kill that cat one of these days, and the placement of his trussed up, unconscious body suggests that this act is a warning to the miserable beast's master. Were this situation to be mirrored in real life, I'd expect Ziggy to arrive home one fine afternoon to find his furry friend drowned in the toilet. Then again, this is the madcap world of Ziggy, where people suffer but never die.

Mon Calamari

The poor cat's still recovering from his taser attack - he can barely hear Ziggy tell him that his unfortunate resemblance to an octopus has barred him from all seafood restaurants for his own safety.

Most Dangerous Game

The balance of nature is shifting. This one is great enough that it doesn't require any special commentary, but there's probably a good allegory in here somewhere. The unique, low perspective of this comic implies that Ziggy might be next. I've grown fond of the guy, but heavens me, I'd like to see Ziggy tasered.

Now they need to get one of these.

AARIP

Remember when Big Bird learned what happened to old Mr. Hooper? I think that it's about time for this scowling menagerie to learn what it means for a pet to "retire". The dog doesn't seem particularly upbeat - perhaps he already knows.

Ziggy has a duck?

Pause Before the Claws

". . . Irreconcilable political differences! Y'see, Bubbles here isn't quite as fiscally conservative as I am! Our conversations tend to degenerate into shouting matches about alternative fuel sources and the pros and cons of the flat tax. Fix him or take him away."

A subtle touch: Look at the way in which Bitsy Pookums here regards his owner; It's a sidelong glance of absolutely unbridled hatred - the cold, slow-burning kind that cats are born with. The vet in turn regards the animal, adding up figures and considering the options available in her poor, underfunded institution. The place is a veritable meat grinder for abandoned animals.

Only Ziggy breaks the circle of apathy, completely unaware of the beautiful triangle of hate developing. In an attempt to achieve some kind of balance, the vet's stethoscope registers its disapproval by distancing itself as far away from that demon cat's knotted pelt as possible.

Finally, some of you may question the wisdom of Ziggy's hasty Henry VIII-style divorce from his feral foe. You would do well to consider the rodent situation in Ziggy's home: