Auto e-strangling by FrankHightower

Been having this image in my head all day.

Transcription:
(Ponbon, a chinchilla-like creature, sits clicking away at a laptop)
Ponbon: Boy, Fido sure does look muscular, even moreso than–
(Suddenly, Rick –a giant, anthropomorphic Furret– bursts out of the screen and lifts Ponbon by the neck)
Rick: Godammit! I said I’d e-strangle the next person who said that! And don’t think for a minute I–
Voice: (distant) …and he looks super buff.
(Rick and Ponbon stop what they're doing and turn to face the camera)
(Cut to Fox –an anthropomorphic dog with a bandana around his neck– waving nervously)

You could call this an "inside joke". That is, a joke that makes sense only to the people who have read Housepets! and its comments. The short explanation is that both Ponbon and Rick represent Rick Griffin. Obviously, all characters are copyrighted by him.

I drew panels 1 and 2 on the bus (with some minor touchups later once I checked my reference images) and panels 3 and 4 once I got home.

Number 2 pencil on recycled paper.

DARKRISER-1080 Featured By Owner Jun 1, 2011 Hobbyist General Artist

I wish I could come up with something funny to say. I really do.
Good job Frank!
(FuRrY321, out.)

maluquinha Featured By Owner May 31, 2011 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Oh, inside joke. For a moment there I thought I was too slow to get it XD

FrankHightower Featured By Owner Jun 2, 2011 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Here's the full explanation (as posted [on The Housepets forum])

Rick uses Ponbon (the little, fluffy, big eared thing) when he comments on Housepets. When he comments mostly anywhere else, he uses an anthropomorphic Furret

Since Easter 2009, when Fido (a police dog) first appeared in the "new style", people have been pointing out how "buff" or "muscular" he looks. Every time. No matter how shortly ago his last appearance was.

Obviously, over the course of two years, it got annoying, and Rick and the mods repeatedly pointed it out

[Last Monday], when the comment inevitably appeared, Rick said, "I am going to e-strangle the next person who comments on the musculature of the characters."

When Fido reappeared yesterday, Rick posted [a comment of his own] that said, "Boy, Fido sure does look muscular, even moreso than usual". This naturally prompted the question of how he would e-strangle himself.

However, people commented about it anyway.

Most of those comments were deleted by the comment moderation team, but Daggy's comment was left (because it was permitted when taken in context). Daggy uses the character of Fox as his avatar when he comments on Housepets.