YMMV / Beasts of Burden

• Audience-Alienating Premise: Many who say they can't get into the series cite the renderings of dead animals like the burned sheep or the zombie dogs as putting them off.
• Complete Monster:
  • "What the Cat Dragged In": The Harrow is a sadistic demon summoned by the former witch's familiar cat, Dymphna. Upon being bound, the Harrow traps Dymphna's kittens and their caretaker, forcing the latter to try to kill the former two and leading to her death in self-defense. Reviving her, the Harrow forces this to repeat constantly, torturing all of them so horribly the kittens scratch their eyes out to escape, even trying to kill themselves only to be revived and tortured all the more by the demon. Upon defeat, the Harrow attempts to drag Dymphna and her allies back to hell for eternal torture at the hands of its brethren.
  • Occupied Territory: The jorōgumo sisters are a trio of Yōkai who relish in the curse of the ancient Tsuchigumo. Taking the chance to slaughter and devour numerous humans for sheer gluttony, they attempt to kill the investigating dogs so as not to be stopped. Allying with the tsuchigumo's misplaced grudge, they intend to help overrun the world and wipe out all humanity.
• Nausea Fuel: The giant pet-eating frog from "The Gathering Storm". Also, the occasional undead creatures that show up are pretty grotesque.
• Spiritual Successor: Beasts of Burden, like the older series Bunnicula, follows the supernatural-themed adventures of pets. Unlike Bunnicula, it's for an older audience (and for those who aren't bothered by cute talking animals enduring horrific physical peril and scarring emotional trauma).
• The Woobie: Poor Jack. Unfortunately, the horrors he and his friends go through often take a large toll upon the timid beagle in particular due to his supernatural sensitivity — he’s been tormented by a ghost haunting his doghouse, possessed by murdered puppies, witnessed the burnt-up true forms of an undead flock of sheep, and was most recently kidnapped by Paul for his seer abilities. And through it all, he’s still incredibly gentle-hearted.

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