Is this puzzle harder or easier than a standard 500-piece?

The sectioned layout with distinct thought bubbles makes sorting easier than most puzzles. Each vignette has clear boundaries, so you can work on individual stories rather than sifting through one large continuous image.

Do I need to know The Oatmeal to enjoy this?

No. The humor comes from recognizing dog behavior—fear of baths, love of tennis balls—which translates even if you've never read the comics. Familiarity with Inman's work adds a layer, but it's not required.

What size is the completed puzzle?

The merchant does not provide finished dimensions, but it follows standard sizing for a 500-piece puzzle, typically around 18 by 24 inches depending on piece cut.

Can two people work on this comfortably?

Yes. The vignette structure lets two people claim separate thought bubbles and work in parallel without crowding each other or fighting over the same section.

The Dreams and Nightmares of a Dog (500 Piece Puzzle)

The 3-second version

Illustrated by Matthew Inman, creator of The Oatmeal
Each thought bubble forms its own completeable story section
Shows dog dreams on one side, nightmares on the other
Humor is visible before assembly
Requires familiarity with dog behavior for full impact
Sectioned layout may feel segmented to some

Why it's on GiftsFeed

500-Piece Puzzle Illustrated by The Oatmeal's Matthew Inman

Most puzzles ask you to stare at incremental progress for hours before anything makes sense. This one gives you a dozen small finishes—complete a bacon-wrapped squirrel, move on to the vacuum nightmare, and each bubble rewards you without requiring the whole border first.

The Oatmeal's humor depends on timing and expression, which usually doesn't survive translation to physical products. Here it does, because Inman's line work is built for clarity and the dog's facial expressions carry across even in scattered pieces. Worth it for puzzlers tired of generic landscapes and for anyone who's watched a dog sleep-bark at imaginary threats.

Good gift when

Dog owners who recognize the bathtub standoff
Fans of The Oatmeal's illustration style
Puzzlers who like finishing distinct sections instead of gradual fills
People who prefer humor over landscapes in their puzzles

Skip it if If you want a puzzle that builds suspense through ambiguity, this one telegraphs its jokes early and the pleasure is in assembly rather than reveal.

Specs

Piece Count: 500 pieces
Illustrator: Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal)
Theme: Dog dreams and nightmares

What's included

500 puzzle pieces

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess
Arrives ready to give

Humor lands best for dog owners who recognize the bathtub drama.

The maker

Matthew Inman created this puzzle based on Rambo, his own dog. The dreams and nightmares shown in the thought bubbles reflect real moments Inman observed—the joy of fetch, the terror of bath time, the mystery of what actually happens inside a dog's head during those twitchy naps. Each vignette pulls from years of living with a dog who has strong opinions about vacuums and an even stronger devotion to tennis balls.

The details

This five-hundred-piece puzzle captures what goes through a dog's mind while napping. Illustrated by Matthew Inman, creator of The Oatmeal, it shows thought bubbles floating above the head of his dog Rambo. On one side, nightmares: vacuum cleaners and bathtubs. On the other, dreams: squirrels wrapped in bacon and endless tennis balls.

The design breaks into distinct vignettes rather than one continuous scene. Each thought bubble contains its own miniature story, which means you can complete satisfying sections without tackling the entire puzzle at once. The structure rewards steady progress—finish a nightmare bubble, move to a dream sequence, and each small win feels complete on its own.

Inman's illustration style translates well to puzzle format. The line work is clear, the humor is visible even before assembly, and the segmented layout makes sorting easier than most traditional puzzles. You'll recognize the moments if you've lived with a dog: the suspicious glare at the bathtub, the blissful reverie of infinite fetch.

The finished puzzle measures standard dimensions for a 500-piece count. It works equally well as a solo project spread over a few evenings or as a collaborative effort with another person. The subject matter doesn't require special knowledge—just familiarity with how dogs behave when confronted with things they love and things they'd rather avoid.

Exploding Kittens

The Dreams and Nightmares of a Dog (500 Piece Puzzle)

Each section tells a small story about a dog's inner world

$8.99at explodingkittens.com

Quantity

Buy from Exploding Kittens

Ships and sold by Exploding Kittens. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Illustrated by Matthew Inman, creator of The Oatmeal
Each thought bubble forms its own completeable story section
Shows dog dreams on one side, nightmares on the other
Humor is visible before assembly
Requires familiarity with dog behavior for full impact
Sectioned layout may feel segmented to some

Questions

Is this puzzle harder or easier than a standard 500-piece?: The sectioned layout with distinct thought bubbles makes sorting easier than most puzzles. Each vignette has clear boundaries, so you can work on individual stories rather than sifting through one large continuous image.
Do I need to know The Oatmeal to enjoy this?: No. The humor comes from recognizing dog behavior—fear of baths, love of tennis balls—which translates even if you've never read the comics. Familiarity with Inman's work adds a layer, but it's not required.
What size is the completed puzzle?: The merchant does not provide finished dimensions, but it follows standard sizing for a 500-piece puzzle, typically around 18 by 24 inches depending on piece cut.
Can two people work on this comfortably?: Yes. The vignette structure lets two people claim separate thought bubbles and work in parallel without crowding each other or fighting over the same section.