To millions of fans who read For Better or For Worse in the more than 2,000 newspapers in which it appears, the Patterson family is like their own family. Full of love and humor, the Canadian clan embodies the ups and downs of everyday family life: John and Elly facing the reality of being middle-aged; daughter Elizabeth becoming more independent on her own at college; son Michael secretly marrying his longtime love, Deanna; and daughter April learning how to deal with a bully. Every day, the strip expresses life at it most heartwarming and humorous. In Family Business, the Pattersons gather forces to buy and reorganize a toy store where Elly has worked for years. Through their efforts to clean out the basement, put a miniature train display in the front window, and add hobby supplies, the Pattersons learn even more about their relationships with each other. As Grandpa Jim tells April, "What, with the new business, John's model trains, Mike's love life, Elizabeth, and you...there's never a dull moment!" Over the years, Lynn Johnston has been lauded for her realistic portrayal of family life and for approaching serious subjects with honesty and compassion. Farley, the family dog, for example, died after heroically rescuing April in 1995. One of Michael's friends, Lawrence, came out of the closet as a gay person. Elly's father Jim, moved in with the family after his wife died, and finally started dating again. Translated into eight other languages besides English, For Better or For Worse resonates with families around the world.