When I started drawing Little Dee, someone told me it’d never be big because too many people would think that it was horrible that parents might lose a kid, and scary for parents with kids thinking they could.
But there was something about the situation which kept intriguing me, like the little bit of spark and discomfort behind the entire strip. it is fun and happy and loving, but there is this background conflict which you know someday must be resolved.
Yep. Having raised two kids and helping raise one grandkid up to 8th grade so far, the thought of losing them is absolutely horrifying. The thought that they could be kidnapped out of a store by a murderous pervert or wander of into the woods to be eaten by wild animals can keep a parent or grandparent up nights when they see or read the news stories about such things.
But, this strip never bothered me for some reason. Maybe some of us have the ability to separate fact from fantasy, and, oh, little things like anthropomorphic cartoon animal characters who speak and reason and animals who put on human clothes and pass for humans in towns. You know, little things like that. ;-)
Speaking as the mother of 4, I agree. The fear of that (child loss) happening is terrifying but Little Dee has never evoked those fears in me. Rather the opposite, actually. I am guessing it’s because the little tomboy inside of me still thinks it’d be totally awesome to get lost in the woods and get adopted by a bear, a vulture, & a dog! And that it could totally happen. ;D
I am glad I am not alone! I have babysat enough times, and even with my cats, I have similar worries. But I still love it in story. :)
It never bothered me because I figured that Dee is really sitting in a mud puddle, in the brief period between when the bullies pushed her in and when Shep will come to defend her, and this is all her imagination.
Dee gets more hugs than I ever got. It is clear that she is cared for, and that takes away any fear.