Editing Patrick McDonnell (section)

==Personal life==
McDonnell has been a vegetarian since around 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vegetariantimes.com/life-garden/one-on-one-with-patrick-mcdonnell/ |title=One on One with Patrick McDonnell: Life imitates art for this animal-championing artist |last=Ritchie|first=Ryan|website=Vegetarian Times |date=2010-09-11|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> and a [[vegan]] since 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eugeneveg.org/pdf/Interviews/2020/Patrick_Mcdonnell-interview-Final.pdf|title=Interview with Patrick McDonnell, Autumn 2020|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> McDonnell is a member of the board of directors of the [[Humane Society of the United States]], the [[Fund for Animals]],<ref name=NYTimes />  and The [[Charles M. Schulz]] Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://schulzmuseum.org/about/board/|title=Board of Directors - Charles M. Schulz Museum|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> 

McDonnell and his wife Karen O'Connell — whom he met in the late 1970s while both members of the [[punk band]] Steel Tips — reside in Princeton, [[New Jersey]],<ref name=NYTimes /> with their dog Amelie, and their cat, Willie Lebowsky. Their [[Jack Russell Terrier]], Earl, who was the inspiration and constant muse for the ''Mutts'' character of the same name, died in November 2007 after living with McDonnell for over 18 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/homegarden/homestories/2008/04/mutts_creator.html|author=Smith, Joan Lowell|title=Parting is sweet sorrow for 'Mutts' creator|date=2008-04-02|publisher=The Star-Ledger|access-date=May 19, 2022}} "Earl, the Jack Russell terrier who was both companion and inspiration for "Mutts" creator Patrick McDonnell, died in November at age 19."</ref>