It’s been a decade since the internet was introduced to a meme of a dog having a difficult day: the ‘this is fine’ meme!
The world is clearly burning around this dog, and he is determined to stay optimistic. You know the meme: this pooch looks straight ahead as flames engulf the room around him, as his cup of coffee surely gets cold.
The dog’s relentless dedication to keep moving forward despite feeling like his world is crumbling around him has clearly resonated with the internet. Even a decade later, it’s not uncommon to open your social media feeds without seeing the determined dog with his eyes bulging out in the meme’s second frame; “this is fine” he continues to tell himself.
The creator of the “This Is Fine” meme believes there have been too many ‘fine’ mornings, however!
Read on to find out why artist KC Green is feeling done with the meme.
‘This Is Fine,’ Or Is It?
Speaking to NPR, KC Green revealed to the outlet that the famous meme was inspired by his real life.
Green candidly revealed he created the ‘Question Hound‘ dog as a way to channel his insecurities around his decision to begin taking antidepressants.
“I’d been trying to get my anti-depressants right,” Green told NPR. “That was my feeling at the time- of worrying if this was the right choice. I believe it was now.”
The inspiration for the meme seemed to easily flow for Green.
“I was just like, is this OK or am I doing good?” Green continued. “Am I supposed to ignore everything else? It kind of feels like you just have to ignore all the insanity around you like a burning house. And the comic just ended up writing itself after that,” he explained.
It Turns Out That The Feeling Of Watching Our Worlds Crumble Is Pretty Universal!
Green’s intention for Question Hound was for the extremely concerned dog to make an impression on viewers!
“I made it vague on purpose,” he says. “Like any good piece of art, people interpret it how they want to.”
People have certainly interpreted Question Hound how they wanted to. The dog quickly reached the political circuit in the United States; the Republican party embraced Question Hound during the 2016 election season. The GOP used it for the year’s Republican National Convention, posting it on their official Twitter account when the Democratic National Convention started, the outlet revealed.
Question Hound made his way back into politics two years later; former North Carolina Senator Richard Burr would later post the meme.
The meme’s legacy isn’t solely rooted in negativity. Green is aware of Question Hound’s positive reach, and he seems thankful for it!
“I’ve still got plenty of people telling me they’ve gotten comfort from that dog,” Green revealed to NPR. “Being seen that way is helpful. But, I like to say, we’re not just accepting it, but working past it, trying to grow from it.”
Still, in spite of Green’s personal connection around Question Hound’s growth, he is looking toward the hound’s future, and it isn’t looking very bright!
Green continues to incorporate Question Hound into his web series “Funny Online Animals.” He retired Question Hound’s original home, a comic strip called “The Gun Show.”
Question Hound seems like he has finally had enough; Green gave the outlet a sneak peek into his future in “Funny Online Animals!”
“It’s going to kind of have an errie, noir turn,” he says, “I think after that, I might have to lay him to rest for awhile.”
However, Question Hound’s demise won’t mean he will fade into obscurity!
“I mean, people still post with or without me using the character or not in my own comic. So, it’s for my own sanity, I suppose,” Green concluded.
Question Hound’s legacy will forever be barking the internet forward!
