I have to wonder, along with how Mark keeps so clean-shaven, is who keeps the Lost Forest grounds so tidy? Is there an army of gnomes that pops out of the woods and cuts and trims and makes sure that all the stones lining the drives are in place? Must be. It’s an otherwise magical place, so I would suggest that as a highly probable explanation.
And is there a happier place on the planet than Lost Forest? Andy bears witness to the joy as he canters along-side Mark and Cherry… Dogs are a great barometer of the mood they are surrounded by… and Andy is beaming!
The Daily Trail 
Maybe the army of gnomes consists of Cherry, Rusty, and sometimes, Doc, since they are the ones who habitually stay at home while Mark gallivants around the globe.
Note to James Allen: Yes, we criticize and make fun of the strip, but we love it, all the same. Without Mark, we’d be stuck with one of those other long-time continuity strips, such as Judge Parker or Mary Worth. Wait, our paper doesn’t carry Mary Worth!