Artist Who Made People Cry With Her Grim Reaper Animal Comics Is Back, And This Time It’s About Paying Tribute To Shelter Staff
Interview With Artist
Every pet deserves love, care, and respect. No matter how they look. After all, it’s the inside that really matters, not the scars we show to the world outside. Unfortunately, the real world isn’t built that way and a lot of people can’t look beyond the “ugliness” of a pet and opt to rescue one that’s prettier.
That’s the tearful reality that German artist Jenny-Jinya, aka Jenny Hefczyc, showed in her comic about an “ugly” dog that nobody wants to bring home with them. The illustrator created the comic as a way to talk about how a lot of people look just at the outside.
Like all of Jenny’s comics, this one has a bittersweet and unexpected ending, too. Have a look for yourselves, dear Pandas, and be sure to tell us all about how the story made you feel. We know you’re big fans of Jenny’s work, so you can have a look through her other recent powerful work featured on Bored Panda here: Orcas, Parrots, Dog. Be prepared to shed a tear.
Jenny told Bored Panda in an interview that she financially supports animal shelters each month and most of her knowledge about what happens there comes from the employees working there who communicate with her digitally. “From the messages I get, many shelters have struggled a lot last year. Many have not been able to hold fundraiser events because of Covid, and so they have lacked donations,” the artist said.
More info: Jenny-Jinya.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Redbubble | Patreon
Jenny created another powerful comic. This one is about how people treat a shelter dog that looks different than everyone else
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
Image credits: jenny_jinya
In the artist’s opinion, we can only speculate about why so many people focus on their potential pets’ looks. “We already know that black cats and dogs are often not adopted because some people think they don’t look good in photos. I have the impression that it’s often less about how the chemistry between man and animal is, but how ‘presentable’ the animal is in photos. Stars who present their ‘designer pets’ and support unethical breeding instead of adopting, might be a problem as well.”
As for the artist’s plans for 2021, she wanted to keep things a tad mysterious and didn’t give too much away: “I can’t reveal too much yet, but there is a lot planned. Not only in new comics but also in publications.” One thing’s for sure—we can’t wait to see what’s next for Jenny.
Jenny cuts straight to the core of the problem. Even though animal shelters are meant to house pets until they can be rescued, most people would prefer to have an ‘aesthetic’ pet at home, no matter how warm and kind one that’s been hurt before might be. That’s the sad truth.
Over 254.4k people liked Jenny’s comic that she published right on Christmas eve. The artist already has 469k followers on Instagram and she keeps on drawing in new fans with her emotionally resonating art.
For her, art has been a passion and an obsession since she was very small. In an earlier interview with Bored Panda, the artist opened up about how her mother joked that she could draw before she could properly walk. In Jenny’s words, she picked up a pencil when she was a kid and “never stopped scribbling.”
Her goal is to create worlds and tell stories through her illustrations. However, just like other artists, Jenny needs to take breaks. The stories that she does require lots of research which can be draining because of how sensitive the topics are. So she takes a few days off after publishing a new comic to recuperate. Cute cat videos are one of the ways she does this. This way, she avoids burnout and keeps her love for art and animals.
Here’s how people reacted to the tearjerker story
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Every animal deserves to be loved, no matter it's looks, or it's breeds reputation. I would adopt every one of them if I could. All animals deserve a good life, and even if they're elderly, you should try to give them a good last few months or years
What the hell is wrong with you, "animal lovers" ?? Why did you down-voted hobbitly's comment???? Oh, it shows your hypocrisy!!! Do you want to see real cruelty, unimaginable pain and suffering? Go to slaughterhouses!!! You are not crying, I am crying. - "No one is more hated than the one who says the truth." Plato
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Man, I LOVE these stories. I always ugly-cry when visiting her Tumblr, but I guess that's the point. Keep spreading awareness and keep fighting the good fight!
Thank you for teaching me a new word, ugly-cry. That's exactly what i do. And why i hate crying :D Adopt, don't buy, guys :)
Load More Replies...
Bawling. Again. ADOPT Do NOT SHOP. Family tradition of rescuing critters, and, yes, my pets are "imperfect". SO AM I! :-) So we match ! :-)
I literally was denied a pupper because i asked which heartworm test he has had. I would have taken him eitherway but i quote "You can not expect a shelter dog to be healthy". No, but I can expect an answer if the staff tells me it is tested. 15 years of experience with shepherds and podenco, working from home, knowing dogs can cost thousands in treatment - and i was denied a 6 kilo dog. I got another rescue but it was a journey..
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I relate so much to this. Had the same thing happening with a cat at the shelter I volunteered at. Bad looks, bad health, giant heart. After 6 months, when he was getting worse every day, I took him home. Best choice ever. He got better and had more then ten happy years.
It should not matter if an animal is "beautiful" or not. When i adopt i chose a pet fitting to my personality and livestyle. Even if i find it weird looking. It is not a beauty contestant or decoration
There's no such thing as an "ugly" animal in my opinion. My friend works in an vet office as a receptionist. She showed us a picture of one of the clients, a husky with a Glasgow smile that someone adopted despite everyone else who thought she looked "Scary." The dog is a sweetheart who was abused when she was a puppy.
We're all crying, don't worry about it
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I dont care what it looked like I would adopt it this is kinda like the book wonder
There is never an ugly animal! Only humans who think such things are ugly!
Older animals get overlooked, too. People tend to adopt the puppies and kittens, but the older animals often are better behaved and even more loving. They all deserve a chance ❤️
This is beautiful. I was always scared of dogs who looked different, but this gave me a new perspective.
Dear Jenny, Can you please do one where we DON'T all cry? Asking for a friend. Thanks!
I have a zoom meeting in half an hour. I know her work. Whatever possessed me to look at this comic?!?
I thought when she said "It came down to this".... Well, not going to talk about it. This made me cry!
I have been blessed to be able to save four babies from shelters. I always adopt the bigger ones because statistically they have a harder time getting adopted. I would save them all if I could. The frame 'No one should have to try so hard just to be loved' killed me. My boy is currently sleeping on my pillows, and I took a moment just now to just look at him. I love him so much.
Every animal DOES DERSERVE TO be loved it needs it
what if you had a face like that and someone said things like "um no thx" or "what is wrong with your face" EVERYBODY IS BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT
Thank you for sharing. Everyone needs love If your reading this I hope you have a great day and know. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
When I was a little kid, and if I was at that shelter where there were a ton cute puppies, or that dog. I would chose him. It’s never the outside that matters.
No one should try to be loved, you have to be yourself and if nobody loves you because of your appearance then screw them! You are beautiful on the inside even if you don't see it someone will have too.
I feel so sad for the dog. That dog is so cute I would have immediately adopted that pupper.
This is why I love the people who give any dog a chance, whether it be adopting an elderly dog, a disabled dog, an 'ugly' dog (in quotes because no dog is ugly), they are amazing
Every animal deserves to be loved, no matter it's looks, or it's breeds reputation. I would adopt every one of them if I could. All animals deserve a good life, and even if they're elderly, you should try to give them a good last few months or years What the hell is wrong with you, "animal lovers" ?? Why did you down-voted hobbitly's comment???? Oh, it shows your hypocrisy!!! Do you want to see real cruelty, unimaginable pain and suffering? Go to slaughterhouses!!! You are not crying, I am crying. - "No one is more hated than the one who says the truth.
awww so sweet all animal should be loved im in tears rn T-T so sweet
what i especially dont like a pitbulls bad representation no dog sould be neglected because of age, breed, health, or looks
read it once i was super sad but hn you reread it i was trying so hard not to ugly cry
this makes me sad... but even more than that it makes me mad. people should never judge a pet by the looks... only by the heart. the pure, pure heart. people who put dogs in a shelter because they are ¨ugly¨ deserve to go without any dog because they are not deserving of such a blessing. 😡🤬
My day be so fine Then Boom I read one of these comics and get depressed.
All of my rescued pets were strays I managed to convince to adopt me. After my kids are older and my kitties pass on, I really want to go to a shelter and ask them to tell me which critter needs a forever home
let's all show animals the love they truly deserve Makes me wanna cry It reminds me of my struggles rescuing animals even as a student It's worth the cause There's no excuse Woof Meow
Every time! These comics are my favorites but I cry every time! Good work Ms. Jinya!
You do realize plants are living creatures as well? Eating animals can be argued that you are eating the same thing since we are all built of atoms and molecules. You really can't say eating animals is evil because we would have them chained up anyways if we didn't.
Plants are living creatures but, thank to... I don't know what, they do not have the nervous system like animals. Yes, you CAN say that eating animals is evil because it is. Why would we need to have animals chained up???
Load More Replies...
Every animal deserves to be loved, no matter it's looks, or it's breeds reputation. I would adopt every one of them if I could. All animals deserve a good life, and even if they're elderly, you should try to give them a good last few months or years
What the hell is wrong with you, "animal lovers" ?? Why did you down-voted hobbitly's comment???? Oh, it shows your hypocrisy!!! Do you want to see real cruelty, unimaginable pain and suffering? Go to slaughterhouses!!! You are not crying, I am crying. - "No one is more hated than the one who says the truth." Plato
Load More Replies... Man, I LOVE these stories. I always ugly-cry when visiting her Tumblr, but I guess that's the point. Keep spreading awareness and keep fighting the good fight!
Thank you for teaching me a new word, ugly-cry. That's exactly what i do. And why i hate crying :D Adopt, don't buy, guys :)
Load More Replies... Bawling. Again. ADOPT Do NOT SHOP. Family tradition of rescuing critters, and, yes, my pets are "imperfect". SO AM I! :-) So we match ! :-)
I literally was denied a pupper because i asked which heartworm test he has had. I would have taken him eitherway but i quote "You can not expect a shelter dog to be healthy". No, but I can expect an answer if the staff tells me it is tested. 15 years of experience with shepherds and podenco, working from home, knowing dogs can cost thousands in treatment - and i was denied a 6 kilo dog. I got another rescue but it was a journey..
Load More Replies... I relate so much to this. Had the same thing happening with a cat at the shelter I volunteered at. Bad looks, bad health, giant heart. After 6 months, when he was getting worse every day, I took him home. Best choice ever. He got better and had more then ten happy years.
It should not matter if an animal is "beautiful" or not. When i adopt i chose a pet fitting to my personality and livestyle. Even if i find it weird looking. It is not a beauty contestant or decoration
There's no such thing as an "ugly" animal in my opinion. My friend works in an vet office as a receptionist. She showed us a picture of one of the clients, a husky with a Glasgow smile that someone adopted despite everyone else who thought she looked "Scary." The dog is a sweetheart who was abused when she was a puppy.
We're all crying, don't worry about it
Load More Replies... I dont care what it looked like I would adopt it this is kinda like the book wonder
There is never an ugly animal! Only humans who think such things are ugly!
Older animals get overlooked, too. People tend to adopt the puppies and kittens, but the older animals often are better behaved and even more loving. They all deserve a chance ❤️
This is beautiful. I was always scared of dogs who looked different, but this gave me a new perspective.
Dear Jenny, Can you please do one where we DON'T all cry? Asking for a friend. Thanks!
I have a zoom meeting in half an hour. I know her work. Whatever possessed me to look at this comic?!?
I thought when she said "It came down to this".... Well, not going to talk about it. This made me cry!
I have been blessed to be able to save four babies from shelters. I always adopt the bigger ones because statistically they have a harder time getting adopted. I would save them all if I could. The frame 'No one should have to try so hard just to be loved' killed me. My boy is currently sleeping on my pillows, and I took a moment just now to just look at him. I love him so much.
Every animal DOES DERSERVE TO be loved it needs it
what if you had a face like that and someone said things like "um no thx" or "what is wrong with your face" EVERYBODY IS BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT
Thank you for sharing. Everyone needs love If your reading this I hope you have a great day and know. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
When I was a little kid, and if I was at that shelter where there were a ton cute puppies, or that dog. I would chose him. It’s never the outside that matters.
No one should try to be loved, you have to be yourself and if nobody loves you because of your appearance then screw them! You are beautiful on the inside even if you don't see it someone will have too.
I feel so sad for the dog. That dog is so cute I would have immediately adopted that pupper.
This is why I love the people who give any dog a chance, whether it be adopting an elderly dog, a disabled dog, an 'ugly' dog (in quotes because no dog is ugly), they are amazing
Every animal deserves to be loved, no matter it's looks, or it's breeds reputation. I would adopt every one of them if I could. All animals deserve a good life, and even if they're elderly, you should try to give them a good last few months or years What the hell is wrong with you, "animal lovers" ?? Why did you down-voted hobbitly's comment???? Oh, it shows your hypocrisy!!! Do you want to see real cruelty, unimaginable pain and suffering? Go to slaughterhouses!!! You are not crying, I am crying. - "No one is more hated than the one who says the truth.
awww so sweet all animal should be loved im in tears rn T-T so sweet
what i especially dont like a pitbulls bad representation no dog sould be neglected because of age, breed, health, or looks
read it once i was super sad but hn you reread it i was trying so hard not to ugly cry
this makes me sad... but even more than that it makes me mad. people should never judge a pet by the looks... only by the heart. the pure, pure heart. people who put dogs in a shelter because they are ¨ugly¨ deserve to go without any dog because they are not deserving of such a blessing. 😡🤬
My day be so fine Then Boom I read one of these comics and get depressed.
All of my rescued pets were strays I managed to convince to adopt me. After my kids are older and my kitties pass on, I really want to go to a shelter and ask them to tell me which critter needs a forever home
let's all show animals the love they truly deserve Makes me wanna cry It reminds me of my struggles rescuing animals even as a student It's worth the cause There's no excuse Woof Meow
Every time! These comics are my favorites but I cry every time! Good work Ms. Jinya!
You do realize plants are living creatures as well? Eating animals can be argued that you are eating the same thing since we are all built of atoms and molecules. You really can't say eating animals is evil because we would have them chained up anyways if we didn't.
Plants are living creatures but, thank to... I don't know what, they do not have the nervous system like animals. Yes, you CAN say that eating animals is evil because it is. Why would we need to have animals chained up???
Load More Replies... 
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