Appearance

DogDay is an anthropomorphic canine, characterized by an orange fur that complements his expressive black eyes, floppy ears, and sleek black nose. His features extend to a sunshine-yellow outer mouth and belly, while a touch of golden brown graces his paws, ears, and the left side of his face. In line with other Smiling Critters, DogDay sports a perpetual wide toothless grin, his inner mouth shrouded in mysterious darkness. A distinct black zipper gracefully traces down his center, showcasing a captivating gold sun pendant surrounded by radiant orange sun rays. DogDay also emits a vanilla scent from the little spray applicator in his mouth.

DogDay’s cartoon appearance is roughly the same as his toy appearance, albeit with his zipper line removed, the addition of white pupils, and the zipper pendant now attached to a black necklace.

The Bigger Body version of DogDay takes on a ragged, monstrous appearance. Completely bisected at the waist, all that remains of DogDay is a thin dilapidated torso stained with blood and held together with a tan leather belt, likely to keep the remains of his innards from falling out. He has large black stitches connecting both arms to his body which end in two massive human-like hands, and like CatNap, his black pupils have white irises. Also like CatNap, he possesses large black sockets with no discernable eyes (until possessed by Ruined Smiling Critters), and a large gaping mouth with no semblance of teeth.

Personality

“This is DogDay, the sunny, strong, and determined leader of our critters! Each trusts him to find the bright side in any situation, and to have a friendly word of encouragement should they feel down. He'll always keep his friends going, no matter what.”— Critter Entries[8]

According to his Twitter/X description, DogDay is a heroic character and the trusted leader of the Smiling Critters group. As shown by his pendant, DogDay has a sunny demeanor, always looking at the bright side of things and encouraging others in their time of need. Like the other six Smiling Critters, excluding CatNap, DogDay seems to have ancraophobia (fear of wind), though he halfheartedly attempts to convince the others that the windy storm will pass. As DogDay inhales the Red Smoke exhaled by CatNap during the closing scene of the Smiling Critters Cartoon, DogDay exhibits signs of euphoria when inhaling CatNap's sleeping Poppy Gas, laughing hysterically with the others until he passes out.

The Bigger Body version of DogDay that many fans are familiar with speaks in a shallow monotone, possibly due to his prolonged captivity at the Playtime Co. factory, though his determination to help The Player even in his last moments shows that even while worn down, he hasn't let his suffering destroy his will to help others. Despite his confinement, DogDay has extensive knowledge about CatNap, his motivations, and other beings like the Ruined Smiling Critters, as revealed in his monologue. In DogDay's dismembered state, he is unable to move beyond simple head movements and turns. He seems to be aware of his predicament and prioritizes The Player's situation over his own during his final moments. This combined with his rebellion against the prototype shows that he is, brave, strong willed and determined to do the right thing even in hopeless situations or against bad odds.

History

Backstory

“DogDay is very much the leader of the group, and where CatNap is silent and reserved, DogDay is energetic, upbeat and welcoming. He represents values of friendship and support.”— Orientation Notebook

DogDay was initially launched alongside the other Smiling Critters in 1989, making headlines through both his merchandise and show entirely dedicated to the group. In these cartoons, DogDay would be depicted as a leading figure who made attempts to uplift the mood to any situation, even frightening ones.

Later, a Bigger Body version of DogDay was created to work at Playcare. He originally coexisted in harmony with the Smiling Critters group, each having their own corresponding Bigger Body experiment. Following The Hour of Joy, the Critters started to turn against The Prototype and attempted to rebel against him, resulting in their deaths, leaving DogDay as the sole survivor. CatNap then imprisoned DogDay in a concealed cell within the Playhouse, due to him going against The Prototype until the eventual return of The Player in 2005.

Chapter 3: Deep Sleep

After The Player powers a rotating platform in the Playhouse while being chased by the Ruined Smiling Critters, they enter a cushioned-tiled prison adorned with empty cells. Upon making an attempt to turn with the right corner, The Player encounters DogDay, who is kept bound in a cell with the lower half of his body severed.

DogDay hanging in the Playhouse's prison.

DogDay acknowledges The Player's presence, revealing that he's the last of the Smiling Critters, implying all other than him and CatNap had perished. Referring to them as "Poppy's Angel", DogDay reveals that the Ruined Critters lurk in the shadows and are waiting to come out and devour them, stating that they must exercise caution. He continues, explaining that CatNap believes that the Prototype is his god, and that he is held captive because of his alternate views towards the Prototype, which were primarily against 1006 being the factory's savior after The Hour of Joy.

He is suddenly cut mid-sentence as a horde of Ruined Critters crawl into him through the open parts of his body, eating away at his flesh from the inside. DogDay exclaims for The Player to run before his remains fall to the floor. The Ruined Critters take control of his arms, hijacking the entire body, and pursuing The Player around Playhouse. Before catching up with The Player, his body is barricaded behind a closed door, screaming.

Chapter 4: Safe Haven

A single ruined DogDay is found in the prison, eating a dead ruined CatNap. It is scared away when The Player fires a flare at it.

Several undamaged miniature versions of DogDay are found taking refuge within Safe Haven, and died when the place was destroyed.

Abilities & Anatomy

Unlike most Bigger Body experiments, DogDay doesn't display any remarkable characteristics compared to other creations. While most experiments are designed as workforce for Playtime Co., DogDay stands out from other supervisors like Mommy Long Legs, who mainly has her unique elastic plastic and arachnid capabilities. Despite being confined to his cell for an extended period, DogDay has managed to maintain a long lifespan, presumably adapting to his situation after The Hour of Joy. This suggests that DogDay spent some unknown time in captivity, which is noteworthy as most experiments typically desire to replenish their hunger.

Trivia

• In terms of appearance, DogDay seems to be based on an American cocker spaniel.[9]

• His possessed appearance and mannerisms are similar to The Face from the Five Nights at Freddy's fan series Treasure Island.

• His position being held captive is similar to the form of crucification.

• DogDay was one of the first Smiling Critters to be revealed, alongside CraftyCorn and KickinChicken.

• DogDay was the fifth Smiling Critter to have his description revealed on Twitter.

  • For whatever reason, in the info-card revealed on Twitter, he doesn't have an orange spot around his left eye.

• His name could be based on DogDay, a game developed in 1997 for PC.

  • His name may also be based on the term "Dog Days", which partially originated from ancient Rome, where dogs were sacrificed at the beginning of the summer to appease Sirius, the god known as the "Dog Star".

• DogDay and Harley Sawyer both share the same voice actor: Baldwin Williams Jr.

  • His voice actor for his cartoon appearance is instead done by Elijah Delaney. This makes him the first character to have two different voice actors.

• His scent, vanilla, is used traditionally to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

  • As such, DogDay shares both similarities and contrasts with CatNap. Both Vanilla and Lavender, the latter referred to in folklore as "the calming plant", are both traditionally associated with relaxation. The contrast comes with CatNap's poppy gas, despite neither DogDay nor the other Smiling Critters being given the ability. Whilst it relieves stress by putting people to sleep, it does not relax people in the slightest, as shown by the reactions of DogDay and the other Smiling Critters in the cartoon and with the mention of it giving kids nightmares in CatNap Recall.

  • He was marketed to be best friends with CatNap, as a painting in his house shows them in a good light.

    • Promotional pre-release Chapter 4 artwork often shows CatNap and DogDay next to or interacting with each other, reinforcing them being best friends.

• It is currently unknown what Bigger Bodies DogDay looked like before his lower body was severed.

• He is similar to Fleegle from the Hanna-Barbera series The Banana Splits. They are both dogs and leaders of their groups.

• DogDay, Bobby BearHug, Hoppy Hopscotch and CatNap are the only Smiling Critters to have their Bigger Bodies revealed.

  • Additionally, DogDay, CatNap, and Hoppy Hopscotch are the only three who have voices that can be heard in the chapters.