Animals and humans are two common themes in The Far Side, with many comic strips focusing on the unusual dynamics between the two. The Far Side always enjoyed presenting alternative takes on things, and human-animal relationships were no exception. In this comic, nothing is quite as it seems, so why would the bond between humans and animals be any different?
From homicidal poodles that will make dog owners question their pets’ feelings toward them, to animals you’d never imagine as pets becoming household companions, The Far Side never made human-animal relationships dull or predictable. The way these relationships are presented often raises more questions than it answers
Credit: Gary Larson
#1
The bond between a child and their pet is something truly special. However, turtles aren’t usually considered easy pets to form that kind of connection with. They’re not particularly cuddly or known for being overly active, but that doesn’t stop the protagonist of a Far Side comic strip. A young boy has trained his turtle, aptly named Bob, to jump through hoops of fire. Bob is not only willing but seemingly eager and determined, as is his owner. Who would have thought that people could form such a close attachment to turtles and even teach them impressive tricks? Yet, that’s exactly what we see between Bob and his owner, prompting readers to reconsider the unique and strong bond that can develop between turtles and humans.
#2
When a couple returns home from a night out, they find their house in chaos, with their belongings completely wrecked. The culprit? Their tiny pet bird, who had been loose in the house the entire time. Despite its small size, the bird managed to cause a surprising amount of damage, proving the old adages that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that mighty things come in small packages. The destruction caused by the tiny bird makes pet owners wonder what their animals get up to when they’re not around, offering a fresh perspective on human-animal relationships. Now facing the need for repairs, the couple will definitely make sure to keep their destructive bird’s cage securely locked whenever they leave the house.
#3
Dogs are typically considered man’s best friend, but The Far Side challenges this idea, making dog owners rethink their relationships with their canine companions. In one comic strip, three poodles plot to kill their owner, realizing that their pampered lives will end with their owner’s death. Known for its surreal humor with dark undertones, The Far Side perfectly captures this tone. The idea of an innocent woman being murdered is undeniably macabre, but the fact that poodles are discussing it adds a quirky twist, lightening the strip’s dark seriousness. While the poodles will miss their pampering, it’s clear that it’s less important than permanently getting rid of their owner. The reason behind the dogs’ desire to kill their owner is never explained, but since it’s The Far Side, it’s safe to assume the motive is as absurd as the dogs’ plan.
#4
The Far Side brings to life a strip that might make even the biggest poultry lover consider going vegetarian. In this comic, a family sits down to what they believe is a chicken dinner, only to be horrified when they realize that what they thought was a chicken is actually their dog, Fifi, dressed up in a chicken disguise. Even worse, the family’s shocked and repulsed expressions reveal the grim fate of Fifi as they unknowingly sink their teeth into their dearly departed pet. The comic turns chickens into creatures to be feared, completely flipping the common perception of them as dumb and docile animals. In this strip, the chicken is portrayed as an evil genius, making us question the reputation of chickens as simple-minded birds.
#5
In this The Far Side comic strip, a couple is driving across the plains to see wild animals, unaware that their tires are being slashed. As a result, they find themselves in danger, with their lives potentially at risk due to the calculated actions of the wild animals around them. The comic highlights how animals can be far sneakier and more cunning than humans give them credit for, making readers second-guess any predators they encounter—especially when they’re in a car. The fact that two animals are positioned in front of the couple to distract them while another animal hangs back to flatten their tires, trapping them as prey, shows an impressive level of premeditation and planning.
#6
Anyone who has ever owned a fish knows the unfortunate truth: fish don’t tend to live very long. This becomes a big problem when other fish are still living in the same bowl as the deceased one, who is stuck there. The Far Side makes it clear that leaving a dead fish in the same bowl is not only inconsiderate but actually quite creepy for the remaining fish. While the owner may not see the issue with keeping the dead fish in the bowl, this comic strip encourages a reevaluation of the human-animal relationship, considering what the living fish would prefer in that situation. In other words, owners should remove dead fish from the bowl, especially when there are other living fish around
#7
Some pet owners love watching their furry companions perform tricks, like shaking hands or rolling over. However, it turns out that dogs would like to see their owners do tricks as well—specifically, rolling over. This challenges the assumption that pets are the ones who should entertain their owners, prompting everyone to question the human-animal relationship. As this Far Side strip shows, a dog from an alien race, about to be taken home in a UFO, insists on seeing his human owner roll over before he leaves Earth. The owner, clearly stunned by the sight of alien dogs, seems too shocked to even consider rolling over for the E.T. pup, but the dog still wants to see it happen before he departs.
#8
Giraffes aren’t typically kept as pets, at least not in the real world. But in The Far Side, all bets are off, and pets can be any animal imaginable. Giraffes are gentle creatures that are friendly with humans, but having one as a pet is virtually uncharted territory, which adds a whole new layer to the giraffe-human relationship. In the comic strip, the people must be up high because the giraffe’s face is visible through the window, and it doesn’t seem like the long-necked animal is craning its head down. Still, to these people, the giraffe is just like any other household pet. They’re debating whether anyone remembered to feed the giraffe that night—a conversation typical of any pet owner. This pet just happens to be very unique.
#9
Rhinos are notorious for being aggressive animals, making them a bit of a nightmare to keep as pets. However, that’s not the case in The Far Side, where rhinos are more like sweet, friendly dogs. The rhino even wags its tail just like a dog. In the comic strip, a woman and her beloved pet rhino, King, discover that their new neighbors have a rhino of their own. King looks excited to make a new friend with his neighbor’s rhino. Given that the pets in this comic are so unexpected, it completely changes the way we think about human-animal relationships, especially when it comes to animals that are usually violent and aggressive. Since the neighbors share a love for the same unusual pet, it’s clear they will all get along wonderfully, with King and his new rhino friend sure to hit it off.
#10
Dogs can do a lot for humans, both emotionally and physically, like fetching the newspaper or serving as service animals. Driving can also be added to the list, as shown in this The Far Side comic strip, prompting readers to question animal-human relationships. When a man and his dog are pulled over by a cop for letting the dog drive, the man explains that it’s fine since the dog is always on a leash. However, the dog being off the leash is the least of the cop’s concerns. Despite this, the man in the car sees no problem with his pup behind the wheel. To be fair, the dog does seem like a natural driver. But then again, this is The Far Side—maybe the dog is a driving savant with better road skills than his human.
