Snoopy, The Most Famous Dog of All

Whenever I fly into Los Angeles I usually have to change
terminals. Never figured out whether its because of the
airlines I am flying or whether it is because the flights to and
from Canada are all at the “other” terminal. Sometimes it’s a
mad dash, sometimes I’ve got time to kill.

It’s in the latter times that I have noticed that the airport
working dogs get their breaks too. There are a lot of them at
LAX, and somewhere between terminals I and II is an open space
of green, a few bushes and an honest to goodness tree or two and
this is where the sniffing doggies and their handlers go to
well… just take a break. I couldn’t help noticing that they are
mostly beagles. In fact the first time I noticed this, I had
not realized that these were dogs on the job, I thought there
was some sort of a beagle convention or something!

Now I don’t know how beagles got chosen for this job. Lovable
as they are, beagles, from my perspective, are one of the most
independent of breeds and not easily given to training.
Honestly, I think its because they are just way too smart!

Would you not agree? Who is the most famous beagle of all?
SNOOPY! Yes, Charlie Brown’s dog from Charles Schulz famous
Peanuts series of cartoons. Now here is a dog who’s got it all
figured out. He’s got life by the tail and is living it to the
hilt. His gutsy nature and my way or no way attitude is
tendered by kindness and love. He calls his own tunes and
dances them his way. He has great fun too!

I’ve always enjoyed Peanuts and it seems that I am not alone.
Peanuts is the second most recognizable cartoon property in the
world – second only to Mickey Mouse. Arguably, Snoopy is the
most recognizable dog in the world. Who does not secretly root
for this lovable but obnoxious beagle as he swipes Linus’
blanket away, or as the intrepid World War I ace pilot engaging in
dog fights with the evil Red Baron, and then as the Easter
Beagle dispensing eggs to one and all!

What a treasure and legacy Schulz has left us! And now, just in time for
Christmas, Fantagraphics Books is publishing The Complete Peanuts 1959-1962
This universally loved classic cartoon strip will
make a welcome gift to anyone on your list – but especially so
to your discerning dog owner peers!