REALISTIC REPRESENTATIONS OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN COMIC ART IN THE USA

Comic art reflecting cultural and social values serves as social comme ntary. Cartoons and comics in the USA portraying dimensions of the hum an-companion animal bond, were examined to determine the realistic rep resentational images depicting human-companion animal interaction. Con tent analysis resulted in three major categories reflecting realistic or quasi-realistic dimensions of our interaction with companion animal s: endearing, obligatory/necessary, and nuisance/stressful. These thre e categories, with examples of cartoons, are discussed and placed with in a theoretical context.