+
“A balm for the soul”
  review on Goodreads
GOOD PEOPLE Book
upworthy
Badge
AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile
Family

15 healthiest dog foods

Invigorate your journey to optimal health with these wellness-enhancing colostrum supplements.

15 healthiest dog foods

Editor's Note: Upworthy earns a percentage of revenue from items purchased on this list.


In the quest for optimal canine well-being, selecting the right nourishment is paramount. With the pet food market expanding rapidly, it's crucial to make informed choices. Astonishingly, around 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, underscoring the significance of a wholesome diet. Furthermore, considering that pet owners spend approximately $31 billion on dog food annually, the stakes are high for both our four-legged companions' health and our wallets. In this article, we unveil a comprehensive guide to the 15 healthiest dog foods, equipping you with the knowledge to prioritize your dog's vitality and longevity.

15 healthies dog foods

  1. Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel
  2. Sundays Air Dried Food for Dogs
  3. Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper
  4. Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food
  5. Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain - Free Recipe
  6. Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe Dog Food
  7. NOW Foods, Colostrum Powder
  8. Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
  9. Stella & Chewy’s Superblends Raw Blend
  10. EasyRaw Grass Fed Dehydrated Dog Food
  11. Kibble of the Sea Dog Food
  12. PetKind Dog Food
  13. Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food
  14. ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dry Dog Food
  15. Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food

Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel

As a pet parent, ensuring your furry friend receives the highest quality nutrition is essential. When it comes to finding the healthiest dog food available, Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel stands out as an excellent option. Made with all-natural ingredients and free from fillers commonly found in other brands, this food is designed to provide a balanced and complete diet for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Whether you have a young pup or an aging senior dog, Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel offers a range of options to meet your furry friend's nutritional needs. Give your dog the gift of exceptional health with Pupper Fuel Dog Fuel.

Sundays Air Dried Food for Dogs

If you're on the hunt for the healthiest dog food for your furry friend, you might want to consider trying Sunday's air-dried food for dogs. This unique method of preserving food works by gently removing moisture from the ingredients without the use of preservatives or high heat. As a result, the food retains more of its natural nutrients and enzymes, which can benefit your dog's overall health. Sundays offers a variety of protein options, including beef, fish, and turkey, all of which are sourced from responsible suppliers. Plus, because the food is air-dried, it's lightweight and easy to store, making it a convenient option for busy pet owners. Give Sundays a try and see the difference it can make for your furry best friend.

Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper

Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper is a nutritious addition to your dog's diet. Made from a blend of fresh fruits and vegetables, this meal topper is packed with essential nutrients that will keep your furry friend healthy and happy. If you're looking for the healthiest dog food, look no further than Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper. This product is a great way to boost your dog's immune system, improve their digestive health, and keep their skin and coat in top condition. Plus, it's easy to use – simply sprinkle a small amount on top of your dog's regular food and watch as they devour it! Try Fruits N Beggies Superfood Meal Topper today and give your dog the gift of good health.

Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food

Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food is an excellent choice for pet owners who are looking for the healthiest dog food for their furry friends. This product is packed with superfoods, essential vitamins, and minerals that provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages and breeds. What sets this premium dog food apart is that it is air-dried, which means that the nutrients are preserved and the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients are maintained. This process ensures that your dog gets all the health benefits of the ingredients, including improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and healthier skin and coat. Overall, Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Premium Air Dried Dog Food is an outstanding option for pet owners who prioritize their dog's health and well-being.

Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain - Free Recipe

Introducing Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain - Free Recipe – the ultimate choice for pet owners who prioritize their dog's good health. Developed with premium ingredients, this formula packs essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that are vital for your dog's overall well-being. Made with 70% raw animal ingredients and oils to support a lustrous coat and healthy skin, you can trust that every bowl of Instinct Raw Boost Skin & Coat Health Grain-Free Recipe is packed with the right nutrients for your pup. Say goodbye to artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives; this is the healthiest dog food on the market that will leave your dog with an irresistible taste and a shiny coat to show off!

Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food

As pet owners, we all want to provide our furry friends with the best possible nutrition to help them live a happy and healthy life. That's why Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food has become a popular choice for many dog owners who are seeking the healthiest dog food options. Made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients, this air-dried dog food is packed with essential nutrients and free from harmful additives. Not only is it a great source of protein and fiber, but it's also easy to digest, making it a fantastic option for dogs with digestive issues. This innovative air-drying process locks in vital nutrients, creating a delicious and nutritious meal that your dog will love. By choosing Earth Animal Wisdom Air Dried Dog Food, you can rest assured that you're providing your beloved pet with a healthy and balanced diet.

Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe Dog Food

As a dog owner, you always want to provide the best nutrition for your furry friend. And when it comes to choosing the healthiest dog food, Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe certainly deserves a spot on your list. Made with real turkey as the first ingredient and paired with whole grains, this dog food formula is designed to provide a balanced and nutritious meal for your pup. It also contains an array of fruits and vegetables, including peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and cranberries, to give your dog a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. With Red Barn Whole Grain Land Recipe, you can trust that you are feeding your dog a quality food option that is crafted with their health in mind.

Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

As a dog owner, you want the best for your furry friend when it comes to their nutrition. It's no secret that dogs thrive on a raw diet, but finding high-quality raw food can be a challenge. Luckily, Dr. Marty Nature's Blend Essential Wellness Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food is available. This premium dog food formula is an excellent choice for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with the healthiest dog food possible. With real, raw ingredients sourced from trusted, local farms, Dr. Marty's Nature's Blend is packed with the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrition that dogs need to stay healthy and happy. Plus, the freeze-drying process preserves the ingredients' natural goodness, making it a convenient and easy-to-prepare option for busy pet owners. If you're looking for a top-quality, all-natural dog food that supports your pet's health and wellness, look no further than Dr. Marty's Nature's Blend.

Stella & Chewy’s Superblends Raw Blend

When it comes to feeding our furry friends, every pet parent wants to provide them with the best nutrition possible. That's exactly why Stella & Chewy's Superblends Raw Blend has made such a mark in the pet food industry. This particular brand of dog food has been praised as one of the healthiest options on the market today. Made from premium raw ingredients, they give our dogs the essential nutrients they need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. With its unique blend of fruits, vegetables, and high-quality meat, it's no surprise that many owners trust Stella & Chewy's Superblends Raw Blend as their go-to dog food option.

EasyRaw Grass Fed Dehydrated Dog Food

As a responsible pet owner, you want nothing but the best for your furry companion. And when it comes to their diet, nothing is more important than choosing the healthiest dog food possible. EasyRaw Grass-Fed Dehydrated Dog Food is a fantastic option for those looking for a nutrient-packed meal for their canine pal. Made with high-quality grass-fed meat and organic fruits and vegetables, this dehydrated dog food is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that will keep your dog happy and healthy. Plus, it's incredibly easy to prepare and store, making it a convenient choice for busy pet owners. Give your dog the best start possible with EasyRaw Grass-Fed Dehydrated Dog Food.

Kibble of the Sea Dog Food

Choosing a high-quality dog food is essential in keeping your four-legged friend healthy and happy. When looking for the healthiest option, consider Kibble of the Sea Dog Food. This premium dog food is packed with wholesome ingredients, such as real seafood and vegetables, that are essential for your dog's overall well-being. Plus, it is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that could lead to health problems down the line. Not only does Kibble of the Sea provide a balanced and nutritious diet for your furry companion, but it also helps support their immune system and promotes healthy skin and fur. Give your dog the best start in life with Kibble of the Sea Dog Food - a food that prioritizes their health and wellness above all else.

PetKind Dog Food

When it comes to feeding our furry friends, we all want the best for them. That is precisely why PetKind Dog Food has been making waves in the pet industry for its wholesome and nutritious offerings. Not only are their formulas made with high-quality ingredients, but they are also free from any harmful additives or fillers. PetKind's philosophy is based on the belief that what goes into your pet's body can significantly impact their health and well-being. That is why they use only the healthiest, most nutritious ingredients in their dog food formulations. With options like Wild Pacific Fish and Green Tripe, your furry friend will be getting the best of the best when it comes to their diet. Invest in PetKind Dog Food, and give your furry friend the gift of good health.

Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food

As a dog owner, there's nothing more important than ensuring your furry friend is happy and healthy. For many pet parents, selecting the healthiest dog food is a top priority. That's where Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food comes in. Made with high-quality salmon as the first ingredient, this formula is ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Its limited ingredients ensure that it is easy on your dog's digestive system, while also providing essential nutrients and promoting healthy digestion. Choosing the right dog food can be overwhelming, but with Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Food, you can feel confident knowing that you are providing your beloved pet with a healthy and satisfying meal.

ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dry Dog Food

ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is widely considered one of the healthiest dog foods out there. Made with high-quality protein sources and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, this formula meets all of your dog's essential nutritional needs while limiting the number of ingredients they consume. This makes it an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, the grain-free formula ensures that your pup isn't consuming any unnecessary fillers that could lead to weight gain or digestive upset. Packed with vitamins and minerals, ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a great option for those looking to give their furry friend the best possible nutrition.

Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food

Looking for the healthiest dog food brand around? Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food is definitely worth considering. Made using the freshest meats and vegetables, it contains no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives that could harm your furry friend. If you’re looking for quality protein sources, wholesome fibers, and all-natural ingredients, look no further than Grandma Lucy’s Freeze Dried Dog Food. With this brand, you can rest easy knowing that your furry companion is getting the best possible nutrition and that your beloved pet is enjoying a happy and healthy life. So why not give it a shot and see the difference?

In crafting a roadmap to canine vitality, it's evident that the choices we make regarding our pets' diets reverberate profoundly. As the demand for healthier options grows, it's heartening to note that organic dog food sales have surged by 39% in the past year alone, reflecting a shift towards more mindful nutrition. Conversely, the prevalence of food allergies in dogs has risen by approximately 30% over the last decade, signifying the urgency of well-informed dietary decisions. Nourishing our beloved companions with the 15 healthiest dog foods not only safeguards their well-being but also contributes to a paradigm where quality nutrition reigns supreme, ultimately paving the way for happier, healthier tails that wag with exuberance.

From Your Site Articles
affiliate
Pets

Man jumps out of his car with a puppy in the most adorable red-light moment ever recorded

"I JUST WITNESSED THE PUREST THING EVER."

via Celina Romera / Flickr

When you see someone jump out of their car at a red light to talk with another motorist, usually it's bad news. Most of the time, it's the moment when road rage gets personal.

But 26-year-old Celina Romera caught video of probably one of the most adorable red-light interactions between motorists on December 15 in Tampa, Florida.

In the video, an unidentified man pops out of his car at a stoplight with a darling puppy in his hand. In the other car, a big German Shepherd pops his head out and the two dogs exchange kisses.

"I JUST WITNESSED THE PUREST THING EVER," Romera wrote on Facebook.

After the light changes, the man with the puppy gently walks back to the car. In the video Romera can be heard saying, "It's okay, man. Take your time."

One could imagine that the dogs were barking at each other before the video began.Then, the owner of the puppy thought it was okay for the two dogs to meet. The American Kennel Club says that barking between dogs is a pretty crude way to communicate.

However, it is part of a host of messages that dogs send to one another.

The job of a dog's owner is to determine if the dogs are ready to share a sniff or of one is fearful.

"The combination of barking, body language, and approach-avoidance behavior gives away the fearful dog's motivation, even to us relatively uneducated body-language readers," the Club says on its blog.

The original video Romera posted has been shared over 120,000 times.

The heartwarming video is a reminder that nothing can bring two strangers and millions of Facebook viewers together quite like dogs.


This article originally appeared on 12.16.19


From Your Site Articles
man in car puppy
Heroes

When a 911 operator got a call for a 'large pizza' he quickly realized something was very wrong

At first he thought it was a prank.

via Matt / Flickr

In 2020, an Oregon, Ohio police dispatcher and the daughter of a domestic abuse victim were lauded for their response to a violent situation. Dispatcher Tim Teneyck was manning the phone lines when a curious call came in that he first assumed was a prank.

"I would like to order a pizza," the 911 caller said, giving a residential address.

"You called 911 to order a pizza?" a bemused Teneyck asked. "This is the wrong number to call for a pizza."

"No, no, no, no, you're not understanding," the woman insisted.

"I'm getting you now," Teneyck quickly replied. "We'll get 'em going."

"Is the other guy still there?" Teneyck asked

"I need a large pizza," the woman said.

"How about medical, do you need medical?" Teneyck replied. "No," the woman replied.

"With pepperoni," the woman continued.

"We'll get 'em going," Teneyck stated before asking if the woman can stay on the phone.

"No," the woman replied before the call ends.


Why This Woman Called 911 to Order Pizzawww.youtube.com


Teneyck realized she needed emergency assistance because of her persistence. "She stuck right to it," he told Inside Edition. "I knew there was something else going on."

The dispatcher told police to go to the house with their sirens off saying "there's domestic violence going on." When police arrived, they saw the call was from a young woman whose mother was assaulted by her boyfriend, Simon Lopez.

According to the young woman, Lopez came home drunk saying he was going to "beat her ass" before punching her and throwing her into a wall.

"I was thinking to myself 'I need to call 911 but how do I get him to stay in the house so he will be taken out in handcuffs' and I just thought, 'Pizza!'" the woman told Inside Edition.

Simon Lopez, 56, was arrested by police and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. Lopez also had a warrant out for failure to appear.

"I thank him from the bottom of my heart," the woman said of Teneyck.

via Inside Edition / YouTube

The next day, Oregon Police Chief Mike Navarre praised Teneyck as well.

"He utilized his training and his experience to recognize that a woman was in distress," Navarre told NBC News. "We have no way of knowing what would have happened if she didn't get through."

After the incident, the dispatcher and police chief learned that some support groups teach people to report domestic violence surreptitiously to 911 by pretending to order Chinese food or pizza.

When the operator says "you have the wrong number" the person reporting the violence is supposed to say, "no."

Navarre is using the call to train other dispatchers on how to realize if someone is in trouble and can't express it in words.

"A good dispatcher is going to recognize that this is a person who wants to talk and needs help. That is exactly what happened here," he said. "Some dispatchers might hang up on this person, but it's worth a try to give it your best shot. That's what she did, and it worked out extremely well."

To get support, resources, and hope for anyone affected by domestic violence in the U.S. call 1.800.799-SAFE (7233).


This article originally appeared on 11.19.20
From Your Site Articles
heroes
Parenting

Man asks how to help his wife who works full-time with a baby at home and keeps getting the same answer

More and more families are trying to scrape by — by trying to do it all

Photo by Katie Emslie on Unsplash

There are times in parenting where you just feel kind of useless.

You can't carry the baby, take a late-night breastfeeding shift, or absorb any of the pain and discomfort of childbirth.

Sometimes the best you can do is to try to take care of your partner.

That's what brought user u/DietyBeta to the AskParents subreddit with a well-meaning question.

"My wife watches our 1yo, works, and is 12 week pregnant. How can I make her daily life easier while I'm away at work?"

He says that when he gets home from work, he takes over all parenting and homemaking duties.

But yeesh! That's still... a lot to handle. No wonder his wife is stressed out.

A few folks chimed in to pat the OP on the back. After all, it's great to see a dad who realizes how much is falling on mom's shoulders and actively looking for ways to lighten the load!

Some helpful suggestions rolled in, like taking over meal prep and making her easy lunches to heat up, hiring cleaners, or paying someone to walk the dogs.

woman in black shirt lying on couch Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash


But then even more people came in to the comments asking the same question over and over: If mom is working, why isn't the 1-year-old in daycare?

u/young-mommy wrote: "Is the one year old in daycare? If not, I would start there. Working from home with a child gets harder and harder as they enter toddlerhood"

u/min2themax said: "It’s nice of you to be asking how to help her but she really is getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop here. It sounds like she is literally always working or parenting. Sometimes both at the same time. Walking the dogs and making her lunches and prepping meals and doing laundry is all well and good but this is not at all sustainable."

u/alternative-box3260 said: "Have the one year old in daycare. I was in a similar situation and it’s impossible. I was able to breath after that, not before."

And u/sillychihuahua26 wrote: "She’s caring for your 1.year old while working? That’s a horrible plan. You guys need childcare like yesterday."

We have a legitimate childcare crisis in our country, and stories like this one really bring it to life.

Childcare in the United States isn't nearly accessible or affordable enough for most families. Period.

ChildCare Aware found that that average cost of childcare in 2022 was $10,853 per year, or roughly 10% of a median family income (in 2024, it's likely even more than that — yet the actual workers at childcare centers are somehow severely underpaid).

But even that eye-popping number is conservative. Anyone who lives anywhere close to a city (or in California or New York) knows the number will be way higher. It's just not feasible for most families to put their child, let alone multiple children, in full-time care while they're young.

And yet! The percentage of households with two parents working full-time has been rising for decades. Life is more expensive than ever, and the extra income from two working parents really helps, even if it's offset by those child care costs.

More and more families are trying to scrape by — by trying to do it all

woman in white shirt sitting on brown wooden armchair Photo by Keren Fedida on Unsplash

Now we don't know whether the OP's family can afford childcare for their 1-year-old or not, although in a later update to the post he wrote:

"As far as daycare, she doesn't want to because she feels like she would be missing out on the time"

So even if you can afford childcare, there's the still the crushing guilt of shipping your child off to be raised by strangers to deal with! Classic.

(Take one guess who shoulders most of the daycare guilt — dads or moms?)

The work-from-home revolution has been a Godsend for parents in certain ways — flexibility, balance, less commuting time — but its also saddled many of them with double duty.

'Hey how about you work full-time because we need the money AND keep an eye on the kids, since you're home anyway!'

But it doesn't work like that, and trying to do both is crushing modern parents.

In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States just put out an official advisory based on the plummeting mental state of today's parents.

We know parents are having a hard time and that it's getting picked up in the national conversation. But hearing about a mom working full-time with a 1-year-old on her hip while pregnant, and a dad stuck working out of the house who's at a total loss for how to make things better really paints a pretty bleak picture.

No one should have to work full-time and parent full-time, at the same time.

A fridge full of microwavable lunches and a fleet of dog walkers isn't going to make it any better until things start changing from the very top.

From Your Site Articles
parenting
Wellness

Mom lives the dream: quietly quitting household chores to see if her family notices

"This is a lesson in wanting to be heard and respected and not having to repeat yourself when things slip."

Miss Potkin/Twitter

Practically every mom I know occasionally daydreams about quitting-doing-all-the-things. Sometimes the impulse is born of exhaustion. Sometimes it's the relentless daily tedium of cleaning, cooking, reminding, over and over and over without end. And sometimes it's the desire for someone else to notice that these things actually need to be done and someone has to actually do it.

Even moms who share chores with spouses and kids often find themselves carrying the mental load of figuring out what needs to be done, monitoring whether it's getting done, and organizing who's doing what, and reminding/nagging/harassing her family members until it gets done. Sometimes moms just want to let all of that go and see what happens.

That's what a mom who goes by Miss Potkin on Twitter did this week. Channeling the fed-upness of mothers everywhere, she just up and stopped doing household chores to see what would happen. Two days later, she began sharing the saga in a Twitter thread that's as entertaining as it is satsifying.

Letting go and letting your family sit in their own filth until they can't take it anymore takes patience and discipline. There's a reason moms generally do-all-the-things regardless of how cooperative the family is. We don't want to live in a mess. But she stuck to her guns.

For a minute, things were looking promising with the garbage being taken out.

However, the dishes still remained mysteriously undone. As did the laundry.

"There is a pan on the cooker with a single sausage in it," she wrote. "It's been there for two days. I can't look at it because it's turned the colour of the man that washes up in Cast Away."

Oh, and the downstairs bathroom is out of toilet paper.

Those who might feel judgy at this point likely live with people who are naturally neat, or just can't fathom themselves how someone could let a sausage sit for two days. But take it from a mom who let go of policing her kids' bedrooms to see how long it would take them to decide to clean on their own—some human beings are willing to overlook all manner of mess and filth before it becomes too much.

And sometimes they have to learn firsthand the amount of extra work such obliviousness leads to.

Hilariously, even though the dishwasher finally did get loaded, that's basically all that happened. Miss Potkin shared a video tour of the kitchen with the extraneous things that didn't get done or got half-done.

Of course, the negative Nancies showed up to voice their judgmental opinions about her experiment, her home, her family, her choice of husband, and everything else because moms literally can't catch a break. It's a silly, fun exercise to make a point that millions of moms can relate to. If it doesn't apply to you, move along, Nance.

"We do not 'live like this,'" she wrote. "This is a lesson in wanting to be heard and respected and not having to repeat yourself when things slip. We're navigating the day-to-day in extraordinary times and for me, the past two days have been funnier than anything else. I think we're all entitled to run our own experiments, be amused, push a situation to its limit if we so choose. No one needs to be lectured by those that have failed to see the silly joy in what's happening here."

And the experiment slowly started paying off as someone replaced the toilet paper.

But the dishwasher...

"We keep our homes tidy because love," Miss Potkin wrote. "We cook food and set tables and fill the air with scents of roses and fresh laundry because love. Love is patient but love is also fucking tired because she works 14 hour days."

"I know we are ALL tired," she added, "but I am most tired. Me. I AM ALL THE TIRED."

All the moms are all the tired.

Miraculously, it only took three days of being completely hands-off for her family to take note and clean the house.

Lesson learned. Mission accomplished. Let's hope it sticks.

Moms are not always the ones who pick up most of the slack in a household, but they usually are. And when that work is taken for granted, it sucks. When everyone in the house pays more attention and takes the initiative to tidy, neaten, clean, replace, launder, put away, etc., moms are less stressed and tired and everyone benefits. If it take up and quitting for a while to help the family see it, so be it.


This article originally appeared on 3.19.21

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Culture

Wil Wheaton gave a perfect explanation of how to separate problematic artists from their art

A truly thoughtful response.

Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Wil Wheaton speaking to an audience at 2019 Wondercon.


When you find out an actor whose work you enjoy is blatantly racist and anti-semitic in real life, does that realization ruin every movie they've been a part of?


What about an author who has expressed harmful opinions about a marginalized group? What about a smart, witty comedian who turns out to be a serial sexual assaulter? Where do you draw the line between a creator and their creation?

As someone with his feet in both worlds, actor Wil Wheaton weighed in on that question and offered a refreshingly reasonable perspective.

"Question: I have more of an opinion question for you. When fans of things hear about misconduct happening on sets/behind-the-scenes are they allowed to still enjoy the thing? Or should it be boycotted completely? Example: I've been a major fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer since I was a teenager and it was currently airing. I really nerded out on it and when I lost my Dad at age 16 'The Body' episode had me in such cathartic tears. Now we know about Joss Whedon. I haven't rewatched a single episode since his behavior came to light. As a fan, do I respectfully have to just box that away? Is it disrespectful of the actors that went through it to knowingly keep watching?"

And Wheaton offered this response, which he shared :

" Answer: I have been precisely where you are, right now. In fact, we were just talking about this a few days ago, as it relates to a guy who wrote a ton of music that was PROFOUND to me when I was a teenager. He wrote about being lonely and feeling unloved, and all the things I was feeling as a teenager.

He grew up to be a reprehensible bigot, and for years I couldn't listen to one of the most important bands in my life anymore.

But this week, someone pointed out that he was one member of a group that all worked together to make that thing that was so important to me. And the person he was when he wrote those lyrics is not the person he is today. And the person I was when I heard those lyrics doesn't deserve to be shoved into a box and put away, because that guy is a shit.

This is a long way of saying that Joss sure turned out to be garbage. Because of who my friends are, I know stuff that isn't in the public, and it's pretty horrible. He's just not a good person, and apparently never was a good person.

BUT! Buffy is more than him. It's all the actors and crew who made it. It's all the writers who aren't Joss. Joss is part of it, sure, and some of the episodes he wrote are terrific.

At least one of the episodes he wrote was deeply meaningful to you at a moment in your life when you'd experienced a loss I can only imagine. The person you are now, and the 16 year-old you were who just lost their dad, are more important than the piece of shit Joss Whedon revealed himself to be.

His bad behavior is on him. He has to live with it, and the consequences of it.


Wil Wheaton | Wil Wheaton speaking at the 2012 Phoenix Comic… | Flickrwww.flickr.com

16-year-old you, who just lost their dad, shouldn't have to think about what a shit Joss Whedon is for even a second. That kid, and you, deserve to have that place to revisit when you need to go there.

I can't speak for the other actors, even the ones I know. But I will tell you, as an abuse survivor myself who never wanted to be in front of the camera when he was a kid: it's really okay for you to enjoy the work. The work is good and meaningful, and if nobody is going to watch it because of what one piece of shit did two decades ago, what was it all for?

I'm not the pope of chilitown, so take this for what it's worth: I believe that when some piece of art is deeply meaningful to a person, for whatever reason, that art doesn't belong to the person who created it, if it ever did. It belongs to the person who found something meaningful in the art.

If it feels right to you to put it away and never look at it again, that's totally valid. But if it brings you comfort, or joy, or healing, or just warm familiarity to bring it out and spend some time with it, that's totally valid, too.

I've written a lot of words. I hope some of them make sense and are helpful to you."

upload.wikimedia.org



As with practically everything in this world, the question of whether art can or should be separated from the artist is complex. It involves philosophical questions about the nature of art—where it comes from and who it belongs to—as well as questions about how imperfect a person has to be for us to reject everything they create. Wheaton's response feels right, especially when we're regarding art that is collaboratively created.


This article originally appeared on 10.16.21

From Your Site Articles
culture
Trending Stories