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The Scout Report

Wicklow life, according to Scout.

The continuing story · Start here

Scout begins studying the humans

Scout watches Barry’s working day, investigates the people inside the laptop and begins asking questions of his own. His imagined observations sit alongside his real adventures.

Start here · The first report Read the series in order →

Latest edition · 2 October 2026

Another New Day Off the Chain

A Sally Gap spin, a sprint and a roast lamb dinner.

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His real journey, everyday cartoons and the questions worth asking.

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  1. Scout in the cattle shed, with a chain beside him

    01 · The farm and rescue

    Before the bigger world

    A cattle shed, a chain and the people who helped Scout towards a different life.

    The story begins · real photograph

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  2. The early-days comic: Joyce and Sinead, meeting Barry at the kennels, collection with Ross, the first night and morning, and waiting with roast chicken.

    02 · Meeting, collection and first days

    Three Days & Four Soft Touches

    Joyce and Sinead get things moving. Barry meets Scout at the kennels; Ross and Barry return the following day.

    Earlier comic · 1 page

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  3. The Scout Report front page showing Scout returning his blue ball to Barry, with the headline Five months later, the penny drops.

    03 · Nearly five months on · before the operation

    The First Fetch Special

    The penny drops, a video goes to Joyce, and Scout begins a careful assessment of the man throwing the ball.

    The Scout Report · 3 pages

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  4. Six-panel Scout Report vet visit: Scout in his recovery cone beside Barry, commenting on the check-up, phone and waiting-room food display.

    04 · After the operation · the check-up

    One patient. Two worriers.

    Scout returns for a check-up. Barry brings the entire case history.

    The Scout Report · 1 page

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  5. Corrected Cards, Cones and Compliments comic, with Scout’s upright ears: Barry holds playing cards at Lynhams and Scout enjoys being fussed over.

    05 · Friday 11 September 2026 · out & about during recovery

    Cards, Cones & Compliments

    A stop at Lynhams in Laragh. Barry has the cards; Scout enjoys Annie’s attention.

    Earlier comic · 1 page

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  6. 06 · A new toy · September 2026

    Scout Cracks the Flower Puzzle

    A new puzzle arrives. Scout studies it, works it out and leaves the humans wondering why they expected it to take longer.

    Real video · 22 seconds

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  7. Scout meeting a small black goat beside a woodland path.

    07 · A woodland encounter · September 2026

    Scout Meets a Very Odd Dog

    Scout meets a friendly little goat, conducts a brief investigation and ends the interview at speed.

    Real photograph and The Scout Report · 2 pages

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  8. Scout running through a Wicklow field with a yellow tennis ball in his mouth.

    08 · A new occupation · September 2026

    Head of Ball Security

    After months of ignoring the ball, Scout appoints himself its full-time carrier and takes the position very seriously.

    Real photograph · 1 page

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  9. The Scout Report cartoon asking Ireland to follow countries that have acted on permanent dog chaining.

    09 · Scout asks for change · September 2026

    A Bill to Fetch

    Germany and Slovenia have acted on chaining. Scout has one question for Ireland: can somebody please pass the bill?

    The Scout Report · 1 page

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  10. The Scout Report showing Scout watching the Wicklow hills from the car, inspecting a country lane, sprinting for his ball and waiting behind a chair for roast leg of lamb.

    10 · Friday 2 October 2026 · another day off the chain

    Another New Day Off the Chain

    An early spin through Sally Gap, a sprint for the ball and Scout’s first roast leg of lamb Sunday dinner.

    The Scout Report · 1 page · Photo-inspired cartoon

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The events come from Scout’s real story. His thoughts and dialogue are imagined, and some editions contain adult humour. Earlier comics keep their original titles here.

Share the story by sharing its link. Downloads are offered for personal reading. For republication, adaptations or commercial use, please see sharing & permissions.

Everyday adventures

A growing collection of Scout’s adventures, memories and imagined office life. These sit alongside his story, in the order they were drawn.

Beyond the story

Scout’s questions about the wider world, with sources alongside the commentary.

The Scout Report: Off duty. Still on a chain. Scout, wearing his recovery cone, sits beside Barry and asks who is working on change in Ireland. The page explains Germany’s and Slovenia’s tethering rules and cites RSPCA Australia’s welfare guidance.

Welfare special · 13 September 2026

Off duty. Still on a chain.

Scout asks who is changing life for working dogs kept on chains, with examples from Germany and Slovenia and guidance on the harm long-term tethering can cause.

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