. That task turned into a great love of newspapers , and it inspired me to pursue a career in journalism . Sadly she passed away before I received my degree , but I still keep her Peppermint Patty doll to remind me of her and our times reading `` Peanuts '' together . Kimberly Mercier of Santa Rosa , California The `` Peanuts '' characters were more like friends , when I was growing up . Woodstock and Snoopy were always my favorites , even today . I spent many years ice skating in Santa Rosa as a child and would often see Charles Schulz there at his favorite table in the Warm Puppy Cafe in front of the fireplace . Sometimes , we got to watch him and his `` senior '' team play broomball on the ice . They enjoyed themselves so much . Mr. Schulz was always kind and friendly to me , and when I became an adult with sons of my own , he treated them with equal kindness , a warm smile and hello . We have the loveliest memories of the `` Peanuts '' characters and their creator , a beloved man
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- David Michaelis ' new biography of Charles M. Schulz explores the man behind `` Peanuts , '' the comic strip that has delighted readers for decades . CNN.com appealed to fans out there to say what Linus , Lucy and Charlie Brown meant to them . Joy Hernandez has collected stuffed Snoopys since she was young ; her dog , Dottie , is a Snoopy doppelganger . Readers responded with tales of bonding with family members while reading `` Peanuts , '' even meeting Schulz and finding inspiration and companionship in the strip 's characters . Below is a selection of responses , some of which have been edited for length and clarity : Elise Marrion of Midland , Texas My grandmother always loved `` Peanuts , '' and across the generations , that was one of the things we shared . When I was 7 years old , I spent a summer with her in Denver and every morning , I raced to find `` Peanuts '' in the comics section . A retired teacher , Grandma always made me read at least one front-page news story before I was allowed to read the comics