Introducing Dog Man
The Dog Man book series is written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. It is a spin-off of Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series. The books follow the adventures of the title character Dog Man, who has the head of a dog and the body of a policeman. Dog Man first appeared in Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally-Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds) as a comic book created by George and Harold. His own book series launched in 2016 with Dog Man.
The Dog Man books are set in a silly world inhabited by both humans and anthropomorphic animals. The main characters include Dog Man, Petey, 80-HD, and Chief. Dog Man was once two separate beings – a police officer named Greg and his police dog named Dog. Greg and Dog were injured in an explosion, and as a last resort to save them, Greg’s head was grafted onto Dog’s body, resulting in Dog Man. Petey is a streetwise cat who walks upright and wears a robe. 80-HD is a robot who was originally designed to be a cop but instead becomes Dog Man’s sidekick. Chief is the head of the police department.
The books blend action and adventure with humor through both the narrative and Pilkey’s comic-style illustrations. The series appeals to young readers with its simple language, likable characters, and poop jokes.
(Sources: https://dog-man.fandom.com/wiki/Dog_Man_(book_series), https://dog-man.fandom.com/wiki/Dog_Man_(book))
Who is Petey?
Petey is an anthropomorphic dog character and former police chief from the popular Dog Man book series created by author Dav Pilkey. He is described as the best friend of the title character Dog Man, who himself is part dog and part man. Petey and Dog Man work together to fight crime and make the world a better place.
Originally, Petey served as the police chief in the city where Dog Man takes place. However, after an incident where Petey’s tail was cut off (more on that later), Petey relinquished his role as police chief. This allowed him to team up with the newly created Dog Man to keep the city safe from evil villains like Petey’s arch nemesis Lil’ Petey.
Despite losing his role as police chief, Petey continues to be one of the most beloved characters in the Dog Man series. His friendship with Dog Man and his commitment to justice make him a fan favorite.
Petey’s Tail
Petey is known for his distinctive flat tail that sticks straight out behind him. According to the Dog Man Wiki (https://dog-man.fandom.com/wiki/Petey), Petey’s tail is described as looking “like it got run over by a steam roller.” It hangs down limply and doesn’t curl up or wave like a normal cat’s tail.
Petey was born with his flat tail and it’s been an iconic part of his appearance from the start. The flat shape and stiff way it sticks out makes it look like Petey has a small beaver tail attached to his backside. His unique tail sets him apart from other cats and is immediately recognizable to Dog Man fans.
While some real life cats can be born with flattened or kinked tails due to genetic defects, Petey’s pancake flat tail appears to just be part of his cartoonish features. It emphasizes his generally downtrodden and defeated persona as a character. The flat tail mirrors how emotionally “flat” Petey often seems.
The Tail Gets Cut Off
Petey ends up losing his tail as a baby puppy in somewhat mysterious circumstances. According to the Dog Man Wiki, Petey’s father was likely responsible for cutting off his tail in an attempt to kill him when he was very young. This incident is not described in detail in the Dog Man books, but it left Petey without a tail from that point on.
Some fans theorize that Petey’s mother tried to protect him from his dangerous father, which led to the tail being cut off in their struggle. Others believe his father intentionally tried to harm Petey by removing his tail in a cruel act. In any case, this traumatic event in his puppyhood changed Petey’s life forever.
This early tail loss seems to be the origin of Petey becoming a supervillain later on. He is self-conscious about his lack of tail and the physical deformity shapes his antagonistic behavior and quest for power as he grows up. So the violent removal of Petey’s tail as a defenseless puppy was a pivotal moment that put him on the path to becoming the criminal mastermind he is today.
Life Without a Tail
Petey’s life changed dramatically after his tail was cut off. As described on the Dog Man Fandom wiki, Petey was left without his beautiful, fluffy tail that used to express his emotions (https://dog-man.fandom.com/wiki/Petey). Losing his tail impacted Petey both physically and emotionally.
Physically, Petey struggled with balance and agility without his tail. A cat’s tail plays an important role in coordination and movement. According to a TikTok video, Petey had trouble landing on his feet properly after jumps and climbs (https://www.tiktok.com/@teamcriscione/video/7228355555943845166?lang=en). His movements were more clumsy and awkward without his tail acting as a counterbalance.
Emotionally, Petey felt a deep sense of loss after his tail was gone. His tail was a source of pride and a key part of his identity as a cat. With his tail cut off, Petey lost some of his confidence and felt less whole. He missed being able to elegantly wave and curl his tail to show his moods. Overall, losing such an important part of himself took a toll on Petey’s emotional wellbeing.
Despite these challenges, the resilient Petey adapted to life without his tail over time. He remained an agile and graceful cat, even if some of his jumps and climbs weren’t quite as smooth anymore. And he found new ways to express himself emotionally, relying more on facial expressions, body language, and vocalizations.
Attempts to Restore the Tail
Petey was very upset about losing his tail and tried multiple attempts to restore it. According to the Dog Man Wiki, Petey first tried to reattach his original tail by having it stitched back on, but that didn’t work because the tail had already started decaying (Source). Next he tried replacing it with various items like a wire and a wooden spoon, but those didn’t feel or function like a real tail (Source). Ultimately, Petey had to accept living without a tail. However, he dreamed that one day he might be able to get a bionic robotic tail to replace the one he lost.
Tail Ending
One of the most common questions fans have about Petey is whether he ever gets his tail back after it was cut off. Unfortunately, as of the most recent Dog Man book (Dog Man: Mothering Heights), Petey’s tail has not grown back.
In the original Dog Man book, Petey’s tail is cut off by Li’l Petey (Dog Man before he was a cyborg) while they are playing fetch. Petey’s tail gets run over by a car and is flattened (https://dog-man.fandom.com/wiki/Petey). From then on, Petey’s signature look is having a flat, stubby tail.
As the Dog Man series progresses, Petey remains without his original long, striped tail. He seems to adapt to life without it, though fans still hope he’ll regain his tail someday. Author and illustrator Dav Pilkey has not indicated plans for Petey’s tail to return as of now.
While Petey’s past and his relationship with Li’l Petey is explored throughout the Dog Man books, the focus remains on Petey’s courage and growth rather than the loss of his tail. Petey forms strong friendships with Dog Man and others despite his physical difference. For now, flat-tailed Petey perseveres as a fan favorite character.
Why Losing the Tail Matters
Petey’s tail is an important part of his character and identity. His long, curled tail is iconic and makes him visually distinct. So when his tail gets chopped off in an accident, it’s deeply symbolic. Petey’s lost tail represents lost innocence, trauma, and a rite of passage into adulthood. It’s a pivotal moment that changes Petey forever.
The tail is associated with Petey’s happy childhood before hardship hit. Losing it coincides with Petey leaving home to live on the streets. Symbolically, the tail disconnection severs his link to family and home. It’s indicative of Petey losing parts of himself – both physically and psychologically. He’s no longer the same naive, carefree kid.
Physically, Petey has to adjust to life without his trademark tail. He learns to walk, run, and balance differently. Psychologically, Petey grieves the loss and tries desperately to restore his tail. But the damage can’t be undone. Petey must accept the loss and adopt a new identity. The flat tail becomes part of his new self.
For readers, Petey’s altered tail makes him more relatable. It represents the hardship and growth that comes with maturing. No one emerges from childhood unscathed. By enduring trauma and loss, Petey becomes more complex and human.
Lessons from Petey’s Tail
Petey’s tail incident and aftermath in the Dog Man books offer some key lessons that readers can learn from. Petey serves as an example of perseverance and making the best of a difficult situation. Even after his tail was cut off, Petey adapted and found new ways to show happiness, like wagging his whole body instead of just his tail. Petey didn’t let the loss of his tail stop him or make him bitter. Readers can learn from Petey’s positive attitude in the face of adversity (1).
Additionally, the tail incident shows how actions, even done with good intentions, can have unintended consequences. Li’l Petey only wanted to help his dad by cutting off the infected tail, but didn’t consider how it would impact Petey long-term. This demonstrates thinking through decisions carefully before acting in order to avoid regret. Petey could have benefited from seeking additional opinions or guidance before allowing his tail to be cut off. Readers learn to get multiple perspectives when facing a difficult choice (1).
Finally, Petey’s experience highlights the importance of friendship and support during hard times. Characters like Dog Man stick by Petey after his tail loss and help him adjust to his new normal. Having good friends who accept you as you are makes coping with change much easier. Readers see the value of surrounding yourself with people who will be there for you when adversity strikes (1).
In summary, Petey losing his tail imparts lessons on perseverance, careful decision-making, and friendship that readers can apply in their own lives.
Conclusion
In summary, Petey’s tail plays an important role in the Dog Man books. Petey is an anthropomorphic cat and best friend to the title character Dog Man. As explained in the origin story, Petey’s tail was cut off when he and Dog Man got into an altercation as pets. This left Petey with just a small nub of a tail.
Losing his tail was traumatic for Petey, leaving him feeling embarrassed and self-conscious. He goes to great lengths to try to restore his tail or cover up its absence. However, Petey ultimately learns to accept himself and not be defined by his lack of a tail. His friendship with Dog Man remains strong regardless.
Petey’s tail, or lack thereof, is a core part of his identity. Its loss and his coping with it shapes Petey as a character and teaches important lessons about self-acceptance. While humorous at times, the tale of Petey’s tail has an underlying poignancy. It reminds readers not to judge others by appearances and to embrace one’s own perceived flaws.