Meet the Gang

This article is reprinted from 50 Years of Happiness: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz, by Derrick Bang with Victor Lee

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Everybody recognizes good ol' Charlie Brown and his faithful (if somewhat fanciful) dog, Snoopy, and most folks are familiar with key supporting players such as Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie and Schroeder. But Charles Schulz populated his kid-sized universe with dozens and dozens of characters over the course of half a century: Some continued to pop up irregularly over time, while others came and went in the space of a few months or years; still others came to life merely as foils for one or two specific occasions.

What's surprising, though, is that no source -- not even the reference books published during key anniversary years -- had ever compiled a definitive, chronological cast of characters until 50 Years of Happiness came along. Perhaps the reason lies with the sheer enormity of the task, and the passage of so many years; because the strips are not dated in the many reprint books, it wasn't at all easy to determine the exact date of, say, Lucy's first appearance until the Fantagraphics Complete Peanuts series came along and made the task easier. Worse yet, since not all strips have been reprinted in this fashion, some important ones are not even in any books thus far released.

By way of example, Linus, Lucy and Pig-Pen all debuted in strips that -- prior to Fantagraphics -- hadn't been published since their first newspaper appearance.

Let it not be said that we weren't up to the challenge. What follows is a list and description of every named character who ever appeared in the strip, along with the dates of their debut. It's important to distinguish between named and anonymous kids, because quite a few of the latter have appeared during summer camp sequences, school sequences and assorted baseball or football games ... not to mention the many poor souls who've answered their front door and found Linus bringing word of the Great Pumpkin.

Here, then -- together again, for the very first time! -- is the Peanuts gang in its totality:

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Charlie Brown First appearance: Oct. 2, 1950

If prompted to describe Charlie Brown with a single word, that term would be resilient. Our favorite guy just never gives up, whether losing his 10,000th game of checkers to Lucy, standing vigil at his mailbox every February 14th, or blinking with surprise when his baseball team fails to show up during a torrential rain. Although often mourning himself as a "goat," Charlie Brown never is less than a pillar of integrity: loyal to his friends, patient with his sister, and dedicated to a dog which only thinks of him as "that round-headed kid." Nearly a decade passed before Charlie Brown evolved into the eternal fall guy we've grown to love, and it's a role that he bears with unruffled courage and unwavering dignity.

Patty First appearance: Oct. 2, 1950

As the only neighborhood girl when the strip debuted, Patty had her hands full for a few months. She displayed many of the bossy tendencies that Lucy would eventually inherit, and for a little while Charlie Brown and Shermy were friendly rivals for her affections. But, like Shermy, too often she existed merely to supply a punch line for characters already breaking free from conventional templates. Things improved a bit when she became a tag-team tormentor with Violet, but as the 1960s waned, Patty's primary claim to fame was as the sixth character in Clark Gesner's original production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown ... and even that honor was denied her in the 1999 Broadway revival, which replaced her with Charlie Brown's younger sister, Sally. Could there be a more ignominious fate for one of the original trio? Patty still pops up in occasional cameos, but they're mere tokens of the "big girl" power she held in the 1950s.

Shermy First appearance: Oct. 2, 1950

Although one of the very first characters introduced, Shermy never "found a handle" like the other kids. His few idiosyncrasies eventually went to other characters: Charlie Brown replaced him on the pitcher's mound, Linus usurped him as Charlie Brown's best friend, and a fledgling romance with Violet never really took off. Like many of the fathers in 1950s television situation comedies, poor Shermy's personality was just too bland in a neighborhood dominated by avian secretaries, blanket-toting philosophers, psychiatrist's booths, and a World War I flying ace. The result was inevitable: Shermy went gently into that good night during the summer of 1969, never to be seen again.

Snoopy First appearance: Oct. 4, 1950

Man's best friend ... or a fuzzy Walter Mitty? For a dog with multiple personalities, Snoopy is remarkably free of neuroses; sticking only to the animal kingdom, the world-famous beagle has pretended to be a dinosaur, snake, moose, piranha, mountain lion and many others ... even Mickey Mouse. When not snatching a certain blanket or vexing Lucy as the paw-wrestling "Masked Marvel," Snoopy usually can be found atop his doghouse in a variety of other roles: ersatz launch pad for a certain feathered friend, would-be best-selling author, or taunter of the never-seen cat next door. Whether moonlighting as the Mad Punter or actually voyaging to the moon, Snoopy will always ensure that Charlie Brown never gets this particular wish: "To just have an ordinary dog, like other people!''

And of Snoopy's many other roles -- Joe Cool, the dubious attorney or the card shark who vexes the neighborhood kids -- the single most memorable image Charles Schulz ever created would have to be Snoopy sitting atop his doghouse, pilot's gear pulled over his eyes, charging through the skies in search of the elusive Red Baron. No matter how many other personnas adopted by the world's most famous beagle, he always returns to his beloved Sopwith Camel. With the capable assistance of Woodstock -- as ground support -- the WWI Flying Ace has repeatedly engaged the infamous German pilot in a series of (ahem) dogfights. Unlike the reality-based universe most of the other characters occupy, these airborne skirmishes take place in an existentialist setting only Snoopy perceives (much the way Hobbes was alive for nobody but Calvin). But such trivialities never trouble the Flying Ace; he simply quaffs another root beer and takes to the skies.

Violet First appearance: February 7, 1951

Violet was quite the little Suzy Homemaker during her first few years; indeed, she initially fulfilled the closest thing the Peanuts universe had to a "traditional girl's role." Nobody -- but nobody -- could make a mud pie like Violet. But once teamed with Patty during the mid-1950s, the two became a terrible force to behold. Poor Charlie Brown rarely stood a chance when both ganged up on him simultaneously, and their collective cruelty often transcended even Lucy's verbal abuse. (Initially, Patty and Violet clearly were older than Lucy, and tolerated the latter as no more than a surrogate younger sister: somebody to play with, but only if nobody else were around.) Ultimately, this one-note personification would doom Violet, just as it did Patty; absent little brothers or psychiatrist's booths, Violet also departed the 1960s without any delightful quirks or positive traits. Banishment to the Home for Retired Characters quickly followed, although she made occasional cameo appearances in the 1990s.

Schroeder First appearance: May 30, 1951

As the first character whose infancy was recorded in the strip, Schroeder also was the first to experience an accelerated time-warp. Although much younger than Charlie Brown and the others when introduced, Schroeder aged more rapidly, and the two now are obvious contemporaries. Schroeder also was the first to be given a recurring shtick (the toy piano that produces impressively complex music) and an ongoing love-slave (the hopelessly frustrated Lucy). And why Beethoven, rather than Brahms or Bach? Because, as Schulz has explained, multi-syllable names just sound funnier ... something voice comic Mel Blanc knew, when playing conductor on the old Jack Benny radio show: "Train leaving on track five for Anaheim, Azusa and Cu------camonga!"

Lucy First appearance: March 3, 1952

Also several years younger than Charlie Brown and the other kids when first introduced, Lucy Van Pelt developed just as rapidly as her now-legendary lungs. (We must be careful when discussing somebody once the subject of a book titled I Was a Fuss-budget for the FBI; one never knows when she might be taking notes for later use). Lucy's early years were dominated by her temper and freight train-sized vocal chords, but she later became the first character to achieve true political awareness. Whether paying tribute to her grandmother in a school presentation, or refusing to be exploited on the baseball field, Lucy has become quite the defender of women's rights. This does not mean, however, that she's immune to hunky masculinity; her unrequited affection for Schroeder will persevere for as long as he concentrates at the keyboard ... after all, musicians make lots of money!

Lucy's character matured rapidly with the arrival of her own unique gimmick, one that proved far more interesting, and long-lasting, than her fussy ways. If Linus is associated with his blanket, and Schroeder with his piano, then Lucy is firmly identified by her 5-cent advice. Like the best medical professionals, she has moved with the times, adopting sophisticated equipment such as slide projectors (for patients with innumerable neuroses, such as Charlie Brown). She rarely soft-pedals her counsel, believing instead that her clients should accept blunt criticism and face up to their problems. Although the rigorous demands of her profession prompted a few vacations during the early years, Lucy quickly realized that her replacements were no substitute for the real thing; by 1965, she had resigned herself to full-time consultation.

Linus First appearance: September 19, 1952 First identified by name: September 22, 1952

Gentle philosopher, voice of reason ... Linus is, without question, the collective conscience of his peers. Although the second character to enter the strip as an infant, he was the first to retain his youth relative to the other kids (like Schroeder, older sister Lucy was "rapidly aged"). This would eventually make him the focus of Sally's attention, a quarter-century romantic stalemate broken only when Linus became attracted to the mysterious Lydia. Although often at Lucy's mercy, Linus quickly learned to use his talents for misdirection and guile; he became skilled at the art of speaking softly and carrying a blanket (a formidable weapon in its own right). And he was given to many universal truths, none better than the ageless "I love mankind ... it's people I can't stand!"

More than anything else, though, Linus has become famous for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Considering the apprehension with which he initially greeted the festival of ghosts and witches, Linus soon became quite the Halloween advocate ... due entirely to the responsibility he has assumed, as torch-bearer for Santa's newest secular rival. Repeated disappointment has not shaken his faith in the slightest; anecdotal evidence gives him every reason to believe that his, one day, will be the duly honored pumpkin patch. Until then, he'll resolutely endure the mockery of disbelievers, thereby striking a blow for those of us with the courage to stand apart from the crowd.

Pigpen First appearance: July 13, 1954

Everybody has known a little kid who never struck up an acquaintance with a bathtub, and Pigpen is the epitome of all cheerfully grimy children. Although often targeted for this highly visible oddness, Pigpen landed an early blow for misfits of all sorts: No matter how heartless the taunts, he loses neither dignity nor composure ... and never apologizes for his "condition." Pigpen's debut cut Charlie Brown a little slack; no longer the sole target of Violet and Patty, our favorite round-headed kid actually found himself in the rare position of being able to defend somebody. Pigpen had the last laugh: Once the neighborhood kids realized they'd never change him, he finally was able to relax and "just be himself" ... swirling motes of dust and all.

Charlotte Braun First appearance: November 30, 1954

Even some of the world's most avid Peanuts fans are unfamiliar with this character, and small wonder: She appeared fewer than a dozen times, and not one of these strips was reprinted before Fantagraphics came along. (Charlotte fell victim to the inexplicable publishing quirk that initially left almost an entire year's worth of strips -- from early 1954 through early 1955 -- unseen since their one and only newspaper appearance.) Charlotte arrived with a booming voice that Charlie Brown claimed was powered by a "built-in hi-fidelity speaker," and this tendency to SPEAK LIKE THIS AT ALL TIMES wore thin rather quickly. "Good ol' Charlotte Braun," as she once dubbed herself, insisted that she merely had a "driving personality (and) definite opinions." These characteristics quickly became embraced by Lucy, as she grew older, leaving Charlotte to the fading mists of antiquity and stump-the-expert quizzes among Peanuts devotees. Her final visit to the neighborhood was on February 1, 1955, a mere two months after she debuted.

Sally First mentioned as Charlie Brown's younger sister: May 25, 1959 First mentioned by name: June 2, 1959 First appearance: August 23, 1959

Charlie Brown's sister was the first character whose birth was recorded in the strip. Initially an average little girl with a fondness for older men (Linus), Sally was one of the few characters to endure medical trauma; her half-year experience with amblyopia ("lazy eye") was a blessing to all children who suffered the indignity of an eye patch. But Sally hit her stride upon entering school, when she became a symbol for all misguided researchers who mangle their studies -- and the English language -- en route to some greater truth. Although chronologically younger than most of the gang, the territorial Sally is quick to establish her rights and seek new horizons, whether seizing her brother's bedroom during his infrequent absences, or making very sure that no other woman ever lays eyes on Linus.

Frieda First appearance: March 6, 1961

Vanity, thy name is Frieda. Although blessed with one of the strip's most immediately memorable debuts, Frieda's place as a regular among her neighborhood friends was one of the shortest: a mere 15 years. Her relatively brief tenure was partly due to a one-joke physical characteristic -- which nonetheless earned her a cut on one of Vince Guaraldi's jazz albums ("Frieda ... with the Naturally Curly Hair") -- but resulted more from her tendency to defy established tradition by turning Snoopy into a regular, four-legged canine. Rabbit hunts were bad enough; far worse was the arrival, on May 23, 1961, of her impressively boneless cat ... which surely would have been turned into violin strings by the subsequently introduced "cat next door." The feline Faron vanished quickly, and Frieda soon was demoted to cameo appearances ... and eventual limbo.

Faron First appearance: May 24, 1961

Tired of what she perceived as Snoopy's "smug superiority" as the only animal in the neighborhood, Frieda retaliated in a manner that left shock waves for months: She got a cat, to put Snoopy "in his place." But aside from prompting one of Snoopy's greatest quotes of all time -- "Cats are the crab grass in the lawn of life" -- Faron proved a bland and complacent presence, and hardly a threat to Snoopy's dominance. Like most cats, Faron (named after country musician Faron Young) was a seemingly boneless critter with absolutely nothing to say. Frieda apparently tired quickly of her new pet; after having trouble finding a cat-sitter while she went to the store one afternoon, she never again bothered the kids -- or Snoopy -- with this feline interloper. We can only hope that Faron was adopted into a different home, where he was much loved and did not have to compete with the world's greatest beagle.

The Little Red-Haired Girl First mentioned: November 19, 1961 Sole appearance (but only in silhouette): May 25, 1998

Charlie Brown first mentioned "that little girl with the red hair" in a now-classic Sunday strip, which focused on his least-favorite time of the school day: lunch hour. Sadly contemplating his usual peanut butter sandwich and banana ("I guess Mom means well"), poor ol' Chuck daydreamed about how nice it would be if that special little girl came over and sat with him. It never happened, of course, nor did they ever meet ... at least, not officially. But Charlie Brown's fixation never waned over the years: He once sent Linus to speak on his behalf; choked during a baseball game when the little red-haired girl was spotted in the stands; came close enough to meet her grandmother (who also had red hair); moaned in agony when her family moved out of the neighborhood (but, apparently, still not out of his life); and deeply hurt Peppermint Patty during a date, by discussing nothing but his unrequited love for this unattainable icon.

Charles Schulz made a conscious decision never to show the little red-haired girl; he wanted every reader to be able to imagine the ideal fantasy sweetheart. Bearing that in mind, it's important to realize that Schulz did not approve of the 1977 animated TV special -- It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown -- which both revealed her, and gave her a name: Heather. What happened on TV, Schulz insisted, "did not count." (Evidence exists to suggest that he flirted with a "big reveal," however; in an interview granted for the February 1968 issue of Woman's Day magazine, Schulz claimed he soon would settle on naming the little red-haired girl Heather, after a little girl he had met while signing autographs for children. "I think that's a good name for her," Schulz told the interviewer. The fact that this name later popped up on the aforementioned TV special seems too great a coincidence to ignore.)

Charlie Brown's best opportunity to really, truly meet the little red-haired girl came during a formal dance held at his school. Having finally worked up the courage to ask her out on the dance floor, ol' Chuck was mortified to see that Snoopy had beaten him to the punch. In the final panel of this particular daily strip, readers got their only faint view of the object of Charlie Brown's affection ... in darkened silhouette: a clever way for Schulz to show her, but not actually show her at all!

5 First appearance: September 30, 1963

If special purgatories await parents who wage social protest by using their children as weapons, then this lad's father will move to the front of the line. Irritated by society's increased reliance on numbers as a means of identification -- phone numbers, Zip Codes, social security numbers -- 5's father struck back by replacing his family's names with numbers. Adopting their current Zip Code (95472) as a surname, Dad changed his son's name to 555...although the boy prefers the diminutive 5. He rarely goes by his full eight-digit monicker, as teachers have a frustrating tendency to mispronounce it by placing the accent on the 2 instead of the 4. 5 remained a neighborhood mainstay for many years, and "earned his keep" by playing on Charlie Brown's baseball team, usually standing in for Frieda or Linus. As the 1970s progressed, though, this mostly undistinguished character gradually faded into the background -- much like Shermy had -- and finally disappeared.

3 and 4 First appearance: October 17, 1963

5's younger twin sisters remain mostly unknown to modern fans, because the strips where they first were introduced by name weren't reprinted until Fantagraphics came along. They did turn up in a few crowd scenes -- movie theater lines, and the like -- but then vanished so completely that readers could be forgiven for believing that 5 was an only child. But 3 and 4 do have one lasting claim to fame, thanks to the timing of their arrival, and represent the answer to a question that frequently vexes fans: 3 and 4 are the twin girls in purple dresses who bounce back and forth in the dancing scenes of A Charlie Brown Christmas, which went into production while they still were neighborhood "fixtures." Another mystery solved...

Roy First appearance: June 11, 1965

First introduced as a lonesome kid at the summer camp Charlie Brown attended, Roy and Chuck quickly became comrades-in-unhappiness...although Roy hedged his bets in a letter home, when he described Charlie Brown as the kind of "makes a good temporary friend." Roy apparently had a bit more respect for Linus, when they met at the same camp the following summer, even though Roy at first was astonished to actually meet the person Charlie Brown described as a "nutty friend who drags a blanket around." During that session, Roy was one of many camp residents exposed to one of Linus' lectures about the Great Pumpkin. Later that summer, Roy took up permanent residence in Peppermint Patty's neighborhood -- and at her school -- and served as her shadow and best friend until Marcie came along. Roy faded into the background after these salad days, but during the latter 1960s and '70s he was a fairly common fixture.

Peppermint Patty First appearance: August 22, 1966

Aside from being the only neighborhood kid named for a piece of candy, Peppermint Patty is the resident tomboy (or "jock," to use the politically correct term). She has never met a sport she couldn't master, from baseball and football to ice-skating...often with the reluctant participation of constant companion Marcie. Peppermint Patty (actual a nickname, for Patricia Reichardt) is a free spirit whose all-weather sandals denote a guileless approach to the universe, and a tendency to accept at first glance what reason would reveal to be false; how else can we explain her belief, held for many years, that Snoopy was a funny-looking kid? Her intellectual uncertainty is further demonstrated by an utter bewilderment with respect to formal education, whether tackling classroom questions or assignments at home. Yet her self-confidence never completely fails; she knows that a person is not solely measured by correct answers on a true/false test...but also by the qualities that make her a "rare gem" in her father's eyes .

Jose Peterson First appearance: March 20, 1967

A true baseball machine! Peppermint Patty brought this .850 hitter over to sharpen up Charlie Brown's baseball team, which enjoyed brief prestige while Jose replaced Linus at second base, and Peppermint Patty took over for Chuck on the pitcher's mound. Always adept at maximizing her chances for victory, Peppermint Patty banished both Charlie Brown and Linus to the outfield. But the results still were not to her satisfaction. Deciding that Chuck's team never would amount to much, Peppermint Patty and Jose left, intending to form their own team (which we know they did, although Jose apparently remained an off-camera presence from that point onward). Jose never spoke a word, but seemed content with whatever arrangement was made...as long as somebody gave him a chance to hit the ball.

Woodstock First appearance: April 4, 1967 (approximate) First mentioned by name: June 22, 1970

Laurel had Hardy, and Sherlock Holmes had Watson. It's only natural that the world's most famous beagle should have his own sidekick, in the form of a flutter-feathered "chirp off the old block" eventually named after the famous rock festival. Schulz actually experimented with little feathered friends decades before Woodstock earned his name and ongoing role as Snoopy's boon companion; aside from occasional bursts of winged enthusiasm, birds played a key role in lampooning the 1964 and 1968 political campaigns. As the years have passed since Woodstock's arrival, the beaky buddy lost the clumsiness of youth and matured into a dignified equal. But the central question remains: is Woodstock a boy...or a girl??? (Remember that egg!)

Marcie Possible first appearance: June 18, 1968 First mentioned by name: October 11, 1971

Although initially a devoted disciple of Peppermint Patty's, with a penchant for military formality, Marcie quickly became one of the strip's most complex characters. Her absence of coordination in all sporting endeavors is mitigated by a sharp scholastic mind and genuine appreciation for the finer arts; she's the only kid in the neighborhood with true "class and culture." She's also the first to admire Charlie Brown for the very qualities that make him the target of laughter among others...partly because her self-esteem often has been similarly low. As the years passed, Marcie learned to stick up for herself, no doubt because of the ongoing rivalry with Peppermint Patty over Chuck's affections. Although definitely introduced in 1971 with her current name and characteristics, it's possible that a "proto-Marcie" appeared years earlier (see next entry).

Clara, Shirley and Sophie First appearance: June 18, 1968

These three little girls were "lucky" enough to draw the commanding Peppermint Patty as tent monitor during a two-week summer camp session. Clara, who bears a striking resemblance to the character we'd eventually know and love as Marcie, enjoyed trampolines and refused to swim laps without wearing a life-jacket. Sophie grew lonesome and remained inconsolable until she met a "keen little kid" from the boys' camp across the lake...who turned out to be Snoopy. (This makes Sophie the only other character, along with Peppermint Patty, who didn't realize that Snoopy was a dog.) Shirley apparently gave Peppermint Patty no cause for concern, as the two never interacted after their first meeting.

Franklin First appearance: July 31, 1968

A new star rises as another one winks out: Franklin's career began just as Shermy's wound down. Although gallons of journalistic ink were spilled to comment on the strip's integration, Franklin never could be branded a token "character of color"; right from the start, he established himself as a wry commentator firmly in the mold of Andy Rooney. Unlike Shermy, who lived among these characters without noticing their eccentricities, Franklin has always been halfway convinced that Charlie Brown's friends are a collection of lunatics. And as Linus gradually abandoned his function as dispenser of piquant advice, Franklin has inherited that role: Whether quoting his grandfather or simply taking note of life's peculiarities, Franklin rarely lets any great social change occur without remarking on its merit.

Lila First appearance: August 24, 1968

A startling blast from the past, and one whose identity prompted Charlie Brown to faint...several times. Lila is Snoopy's original owner. She and her family adopted him from the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm in August of one year, but they lived in an apartment and didn't have nearly enough space for an active canine (particularly one with Snoopy's personality quirks). Wanting to do what was best for her new pet, Lila reluctantly returned him to Daisy Hill, where Charlie Brown then got a "used dog" when he adopted Snoopy a few months later, in October. For years thereafter, Snoopy continued to get cards and letters from Lila, and they always left him depressed for the rest of the day. But the love for his first owner remained undiminished, and when he learned that she had been hospitalized, he immediately traveled across town to be with her in this hour of need (a plotline that formed the basis of the big-screen film Snoopy, Come Home).

Thibault First appearance: June 5, 1970

Bullies rarely appear in the Peanuts universe -- Lucy's psychological warfare notwithstanding -- but this diminutive meanie was an unexpected exception. Charlie Brown met him when Peppermint Patty begged a favor and asked that he allow one of her players to borrow Chuck's baseball glove. Always willing to oblige a friend, Charlie Brown cheerfully gave his mitt to the player in question -- Thibault -- who, after the game, refused to return it unless Chuck fought him for it! "I know your kind," Thibault sneered. "You come around thinking you're better than us." Charlie Brown, thrilled that anybody would regard him a superior, blithely let Thibault keep the glove.

Rerun First mentioned: May 23, 1972 First mentioned by name: May 31, 1972 First appearance: March 26, 1973

The youngest regular member of the Peanuts gang initially arrived purely to torment older sister Lucy, who already had gotten fed up enough to banish Linus from the house. (She later relented.) Rerun Van Pelt proved quite a prodigy, since he was speaking full sentences and playing baseball while only a year old! He brought an infant's innocence to the strip, a view not seen since Sally was a toddler back in the early 1960s. By far Rerun's funniest escapades took place while riding on the back of his mother's bicycle -- and, based on the frequency of those trips, Mom must have built pretty sensational muscles! -- but another decade passed before Rerun acquired his politically correct helmet. He has eventually reached "no-neck monster" status, and has learned that the world is always stacked in favor of those who are taller, wiser and older...say, 8 or 9 years old!

Poochie First appearance: January 7, 1973

Credited by Charlie Brown as the first person to refer to him by both names -- an appellation that obviously stuck -- Poochie also has the honor of almost having been the first to adopt Snoopy (presumably, even before Lila). As Snoopy remembers the incident, Poochie visited the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm and threw a stick for him to fetch. The frisky puppy happily obliged, but when Snoopy returned with the stick, he was just in time to see Poochie walking away...with an English sheep dog! Although justifiably distressed at the time, no doubt Snoopy has drawn comfort from the knowledge that Poochie has spent every subsequent waking moment combing, brushing and clipping her chosen pet.

Loretta First appearance: May 22, 1974

Shortly after Snoopy made his first appearance as the World-Famous Beagle Scout, he took a lengthy hike and quickly discovered -- to his profound embarrassment -- that he was lost. Truth be told, Snoopy really wasn't that far from civilization, but his building apprehension was relieved when he was "rescued" by Loretta, a girl scout with a flair for selling cookies. An acknowledged cookie hound, Snoopy visited her a few more times; then Charlie Brown met her at a party, where she apparently "dented" his feelings. Apparently wanting to "do the right thing," Loretta invited Chuck back to her house, ostensibly so that she could apologize...but when he arrived, he discovered that she really only wanted to sell him some cookies! No doubt she'll one day become CEO of a globe-spanning corporation.

The Beaglescouts First appearance: June 9, 1974

Snoopy's unfortunate experience with that first hike notwithstanding, he soon was promoted to the position of Beagle Scout Leader. And since every leader needs a troop of followers, it was only natural that Woodstock and several of his bird-buddies should assemble and meet the numerous outdoor challenges imposed by Snoopy. The troop membership has changed over the years, although it began with a flock of four. On a typical hike, Snoopy brought the hot dogs; Woodstock brought the buns; Conrad and Bill took care of the mustard and catsup; and Olivier, perhaps not understanding the concept, packed a copy of TV Guide. Harriet joined the group on May 12, 1980, on the basis of her delectable angel food cake with seven-minute frosting. Subsequent newcomers included Raymond (October 13, 1988), Fred (April 2, 1990) and Roy (April 18, 1998). Snoopy and his Beagle Scouts had all sorts of adventures over the years, perhaps none more surprising than when Harriet and Bill ran off and got married!

The School Building First appearance: August 31, 1974

Although Charlie Brown and his friends attended school ever since Peanuts debuted, on this date their school building -- which dreamed of being a liberal arts college on a big university campus -- suddenly developed sentience and manifested its own thought balloons. At first it did little more than react with sorrow when Sally, delighted by the advent of summer vacation, defiantly proclaimed that she wouldn't have to set foot in the place for three months. But as Sally entered the next grade, she began to treat her school building with more respect; it, in turn, came to enjoy her visits. If Sally were particularly vexed by studies or teachers, she could count on the school to provide a sympathetic wall. When she remained home sick, the school missed her terribly (but derived comfort from chatting with the cute little dress shop across the street). Those who made fun of this relationship -- notably Lucy -- were apt to get bonked on the head by a dislodged brick. The school finally collapsed one night into a pile of rubble, because it "had all it could take"; a distraught Sally was forced to join her friends at Peppermint Patty's school, while a replacement was constructed. Although Sally struck up a relationship with this new edifice, they never achieved the warmth that she had maintained with its predecessor.

Truffles First appearance: March 31, 1975

Although Linus actively resists all of Sally's attempts to land him as a steady boyfriend, he has occasionally been smitten by other lovely young ladies. Truffles was his first crush, and they met one day while Linus and Snoopy were -- appropriately enough -- hunting for truffles (the edible kind). Truffles was living on a farm with her grandfather, who had given her that name because he believed she was "as rare as a truffle." Little did she know, by inviting Linus and Snoopy into her house for some cookies, the trouble she would cause; both became enchanted by her, which led to a few serious arguments between boy and beagle. (Truth be told, in Snoopy's case the cookies probably were a stronger lure than Truffles herself). Because he could not remember how to find her grandfather's farm, Linus lost track of Truffles for a few years...but he found her again in 1977, while he and Sally were on a school field trip. But allowing Sally to meet Truffles proved a mistake; the two squabbled immediately, and Sally commandeered the possessive high ground by identifying Linus as her "sweet babboo" (her first use of the phrase). Poor Truffles, perhaps conceding the inevitable, quietly retreated.

Spike First mentioned: August 4, 1975 First appearance: August 13, 1975

For a canine who once lamented his lot as an "only dog," Snoopy has uncovered quite a sizable extended family over the years...although a quarter-century passed before formal introductions. The precise size of his litter remains open to debate -- with the number of puppies ranging from five to eight -- but the world's most famous beagle has (thus far) made contact with four brothers and one sister, not to mention both parents and a wayward nephew. Most of these siblings pop up only for short visits, but older brother Spike, who resides in the desert outside Needles, California, has earned his place as a regular. During Spike's first visit with Snoopy, he was taken under Lucy's wing, who found him "as thin as a promise" and fattened him up...but desert living quickly restored his ultra-lean figure. Invited to be Best Man when Snoopy got engaged, Spike ran off with his brother's fiancee, only to have her dump him for a coyote. Later, after a fruitless attempt by Charlie Brown to get him adopted by somebody in the neighborhood, Spike resigned himself to desert living, where he subsequently has invented hundreds of innovative uses for cactus and tumbleweeds.

Belle First mentioned: June 22, 1976 First appearance: June 28, 1976

Snoopy's first reunion with his sole sister came when he was en route to a tennis tournament; while tracking her down, he recalled that she had married a "worthless hound who ran off" and left her with a teenage son. Snoopy's unnamed nephew never appeared again after this first visit, but Belle remained an occasional guest star (and an enormously popular plush character in toy shops). Like Snoopy, Belle has adopted a few roles over the years, most significantly as a Red Cross nurse, in the company of Snoopy's WWI Flying Ace and Spike's infantry grunt. Most often, though, she is a note of canine common sense in a family best known for its eccentricities. The tall drink of water standing at her side is her teenage son.

Floyd First appearance: July 26, 1976

Faint heart never won fair lady, and clearly Floyd regards this as a motto to live by. While attending summer camp, Marcie complains to Peppermint Patty about a boy who keeps "bothering" her; it eventually transpires that the pest is Floyd, who has fallen in love with Marcie and merely wants her to notice him. To her intense embarrassment, he finds her "beautiful" and repeatedly calls her "Lambcake." Unfortunately, Marcie proves an impossible conquest; within a matter of days she 1) whacks him with a first-aid kit; 2) hits him with her lunch; 3) pushes him into a lake; 4) jostles him into poison oak; and 5) slugs him...but still he persists! Unfortunately, nothing is as fleeting as a vacation romance, and Floyd becomes nothing but a memory when Marcie and Peppermint Patty return home.

Ruby, Austin, Leland and Milo First appearance: March 11, 1977

Convinced that the EPA will sue and jail him for taking a bite out of the infamous kite-eating tree, Charlie Brown flees his neighborhood and winds up in an unfamiliar part of town, where he encounters a baseball team comprised of rather diminutive players. As the only "big kid" who has ever paid attention to them, ol' Chuck is embraced as a mentor, and he jumps at the chance to be their coach. But even the accommodating Charlie Brown finds it difficult to work with players whose strike zones cannot be measured, and he cannot help but wonder if the team's choice of name -- the Goose Eggs -- may prove prophetic. As luck would have it, the Goose Eggs' first big game is against Charlie Brown's own team, which prompts a rather disrespectful remark from an obviously sarcastic Lucy. When Charlie Brown admits that these are, indeed, his friends, Milo quite astutely comments, "Their rudeness matches their size." Chuck returns to his neighborhood after circumstances prompt the EPA to rescind its threats, but no doubt he still misses the respectful and enthusiastic players who so admired his sage advice.

Molly Volley First appearance: May 6, 1977

With partners like this, most players would have no need of opponents. During a mixed-doubles tennis match, Snoopy learns that he has been teamed with the tough-talking Molly Volley, who once beat up her partner, two linesmen and a ball boy. Molly is one of the few people who can make Snoopy lose his usual tranquility, and with good reason: She has quite a temper. Molly is sensitive about her weight, and snarls at anybody who comments on her "fat legs"; she also promises to hit Snoopy with her racquet the first time he double-faults. The match goes well until Snoopy, feeling the need to be honest, calls an opposing ball "in"...much to Molly's disgust. But apparently she forgives him, because they team up again on several future occasions, notably in one significant match against Crybaby Boobie and "Bad Call" Benny (see entries below).

Eudora First appearance: June 13, 1978

Every year, thousands of children eagerly look forward to summer camp...and thousands more cringe at the very thought. Eudora belongs to the latter group; she worries about being "shipping to the Orient" and clearly cannot get comfortable in such unusual surroundings. When this concern is coupled with loneliness, Eudora becomes another of life's troubled souls in desperate need of a good friend. She finds one, when camp-mate Sally turns up at just the right moment. Sally and Eudora make quite a team; both seem slightly out of phase and display occasionally lopsided views of the universe. Eudora moves to the neighborhood from another state and joins Sally in school, whereupon the two have several adventures together, including a few rather unusual field trips (to a car wash and a barber shop).

Eudora remained a neighborhood fixture -- even playing on Charlie Brown's baseball team -- and appeared regularly through 1985, after which she faded into the woodwork. No doubt Sally still misses her; after all, she's unlikely to make other friends who like chocolate sandwiches!

Crybaby Boobie First appearance: September 5, 1978

Fine wines improve with age; fine whiners just get worse. We've never seen Crybaby Boobie's face, and thus would not recognize her on the street if she walked past; she's always pictured with her nose pointed heavenward, and her mouth opened wide in an indignant squawk. Crybaby Boobie plays tennis...at least she plays when she's not complaining about something: the height of the net, sunlight that's too bright, the "slow" courts, the "dead" balls, and the fact that her shoulder's killing her. We're told that she has a brother, Bobby (Bobby Boobie?), who "doesn't say much," and small wonder: He'd never get a word in edgewise. Crybaby's apparently a girl whom only a mother could love; indeed, her mother does adore her little daughter, and honks her car horn every time a point goes in her darling's favor. Crybaby wins her first match against Snoopy and Molly Volley, but it's not to be the last time these characters face each other across a tennis court.

Joe Richkid (and his caddy) First appearance: June 22, 1981

Marcie attempts to enlighten best friend Peppermint Patty by taking her to Young People's Concerts; Peppermint Patty returns the favor by trying to share the virtues of sports. Any sports. Unfortunately, Marcie lacks both interest and inclination, whether the field of glory lies with baseball, football, hockey or golf. But she makes a trustworthy caddy, and does her best to assist when Peppermint Patty enters a Little Kid's Golf Tourney and winds up in a threesome with the Masked Marvel (Snoopy) and the insufferably haughty Joe Richkid...so vain that he backs away from any personal contact, lest his precious white turtleneck get smudged. The match begins well enough, but Peppermint Patty eventually loses when Joe's unnamed caddy gets fresh with Marcie. Never shy about defending herself, she retaliates by tossing the caddy into a water hazard...followed by both sets of golf clubs. (It must have been the Masked Marvel's day.)

"Bad Call" Benny First appearance: April 16, 1982

Does tennis attract all the oddballs? One memorable doubles match pairs Snoopy and Molly Volley against Crybaby Boobie and "Bad Call" Benny, so named because he'll defiantly label fair balls as foul, and vice-versa. But he encounters more than his equal with Molly, and earns a smack in the mouth after he comments on her fat legs. Suitably chastened, Benny minimizes his subsequent bad calls, and it looks as though the "good guys" will win...until Snoopy returns a shot that leaves the ball precariously balanced on top of the net. While Crybaby Boobie wails against the universe and everybody else waits for a ruling, Snoopy unwisely fills this interval by filling his stomach with chocolate chip cookies. Left nauseous after having eaten far more than he should, Snoopy is unable to return to the court; Benny and Crybaby Boobie thus win by default. Needless to say, Molly is displeased.

Marbles First mentioned by name: September 24, 1982 First appearance: September 28, 1982

The brother Snoopy identifies as "the smart one in the family" first visits after sending a post card, rather forlornly explaining that he has lost his home. Marbles is introduced wearing jogging shoes, and he's quite the intellectual; he proudly describes a current research project designed to explain why some dogs walk at an angle. But Marbles discovers that life with his "bro" can be unusual at best, particularly when Snoopy dons his signature WWI Flying Ace togs. "He was always the quiet one in the family," Marbles thinks to himself, and finally ducks out a few days later because of "the whole Red Baron/Sopwith Camel thing." But Marbles remains in the background and pops up a few more times, particularly when all the siblings gather to wish Snoopy well during a brief hospitalization.

Harold Angel First appearance: December 24, 1983

When language-mangling Sally is cast in a Christmas play, she's given a single line -- "Hark!" -- to speak after the sheep are finished dancing. Then, according to her script, "Harold Angel" will start to sing. Naturally, nobody takes this statement at face value; with her history of malapropisms, Sally's interpretation of her script remains decidedly suspect...and her credibility plunges further when, true to form, she botches her line during the performance and bursts forth with "Hockey stick!" instead of "Hark!" But Charlie Brown learns the error of false assumptions when none other than Harold Angel drops by the next day, to comfort Sally over fluffing her line. He returns one more time the following spring, to invite Sally to a movie, but of course she explains that she's saving herself for Linus, her "Sweet Babboo." Poor Harold doesn't stand a chance.

Lydia First appearance: June 9, 1986

This impressively complicated little girl, yet another pretty face who catches Linus' eye, must have been inspired by children whose parents let them "try out" different names before selecting one to keep. Months went by before we finally learned Lydia's actual name; in the meanwhile, she went by Rachel, Rebecca, Jezebel, Susan, Sarah, Melissa, Samantha, Anna, Claudia, Ophelia, Polly and (yikes!) Snowflake. She initially drives poor Linus crazy, because she believes that he's "too old" for her...having been born in October, to her December. She likes peanut-butter sandwiches and sits behind Linus in school, but has a distressing tendency to call him "Mister." He finally gets her actual name when sending her a Christmas card, but it's returned because she supplies the wrong address. Her card gets through, however, leaving him "out-Christmased!" He finally tires of her contrary behavior, at which point she begins to show interest in him...but it's too little, too late. Now wiser in the ways of fickle younger women, Linus gives back as good as he has gotten...and better.

Maynard First appearance: July 21, 1986

Snooty arrogance never wears well on a child, and the patronizing Maynard is quite a package. Hired by Peppermint Patty's father as a summer tutor designed to give her an edge when school resumes in the fall, Maynard's introductory remark, when she answers his knock, is "Are you the dumb one?" He attempts to work with her in math, but Peppermint Patty declines; as a future pro golfer, she explains, she'll only need to know twos, threes and fours. He has even less luck with geography. The whole scheme collapses when Marcie drops by and explains that Maynard is her condescending cousin, and that -- horrors! -- he's getting paid for this tutoring assignment. Enraged that he hasn't taken this mission of education "out of the goodness of his heart," Peppermint Patty tosses him out the door. Good riddance to bad rubbish, we say; pride and integrity are just as important as book-learnin'.

Tapioca Pudding First appearance: September 4, 1986

One look at this character, and the reader can't help thinking of countless television and comic strip properties that exist solely to sell waffle irons and fast-food tchotchkes. Tapioca Pudding blasts into school like a choreographed burst of merchandising dynamite, a gregarious moppet who always uses her full name and whose blond hair and smile, according to her father (Joe Pudding), should be worth a million dollars. Dad wants to put her likeness on greeting cards, lunch boxes, cereal boxes and T-shirts..."but," she says, "obviously no beer commercials." Tapioca prefers royalty payments to seeing a movie with Linus, who immediately gets into trouble with Sally for even asking. But Tapioca gets her come-uppance when she secures an agent from Ace Licensing, who looks suspiciously like a certain world-famous beagle; he gets her a personal appearance at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Just one tiny problem: The games took place two years earlier!

Olaf First mentioned by name: January 16, 1989 First appearance: January 24, 1989

Every family has a misfit, and apparently the cookie-snarfing Olaf fills the bill among Snoopy's siblings. Olaf first comes up when, on the advent of an "Ugly Dog Contest" -- and we'd like to know who would concoct such an appalling event! -- Lucy asks if Snoopy has any more brothers or sisters. Charlie Brown retrieves his Daisy Hill photograph album, and they all immediately spot Olaf. During his first visit, the pitiful dog is so ashamed of his looks that he hides beneath a large paper bag. Once introduced, Olaf explains that he used to live with a family whose car license plate read "Our other dog is a golden retriever." Olaf predictably wins the contest, but thereafter the "ugly" sobriquet is dropped from his name. This is only proper, since every child is loved equally by his parents; indeed, Olaf's fondest memory is of his mother reading aloud from his favorite book, Joe Bunny. With Andy's introduction in 1994, he and Olaf became something of a Mutt 'n' Jeff team.

Snoopy's Father Sole appearance: June 18, 1989

Snoopy is no different than any of the kids; he always remembers his pater on Father's Day. For decades we eavesdropped on Snoopy's thoughts and learned little nuggets about his puppyhood and dear ol' Dad, but this particular year we actually glimpse Snoopy's father receiving his annual card, and commenting that "all eight of them signed it!" (Since we only know of six offspring thus far, that statement leads to intriguing thoughts about the future.) Dad is retired now and lives in Florida, presumably enjoying the good life.

(Bearing in mind, once again, Charles Schulz's view that TV "didn't count," we cannot rely on information given in the 1991 animated TV special, Snoopy's Reunion, which identified the two final siblings as Molly and Rover, and even gave Snoopy's mother a name: Missy. As far as the world of the Peanuts newspaper strip was concerned, the seventh and eighth siblings remained unidentified.)

Peggy Jean First appearance: July 23, 1990

Ah, love can be so cruel. Charlie Brown meets Peggy Jean at summer camp, where she introduces herself when they have lunch together; a tongue-tied Chuck gives his name as "Brownie Charles." Despite that shaky beginning -- and she will forever refer to him that way -- their relationship blossoms until she finds a football in the recreation room and suggests that he attempt a place-kick. After years of Lucy's cruel tricks with a football, poor Charlie Brown just can't do it...and Peggy Jean departs, dismayed that he's unable to trust her.

Fortunately, she returns. Linus later hears from an excited Charlie Brown, via telephone, that she kissed him and said that she loved him. Euphoric beyond belief, Chuck maintains a mail correspondence after camp concludes (having better luck, one assumes, than with his pen pals). He even sells his entire comic book collection to buy her a pair of gloves that Christmas...a fruitless act, since her mother buys her the very same gloves. Then his letters start coming back; Peggy Jean has moved, and Charlie Brown has no way of contacting her. But the worst is yet to come: During a subsequent encounter at summer camp, Peggy Jean casually announces that she has a boyfriend...and she walks away for the last time, leaving a devastated Charlie Brown in her wake.

Larry First appearance: May 28, 1991

Pity the poor child who winds up with Sally as a teacher. In this case, Larry is one of three students in her Bible class (the mind boggles). He's an excitable little fellow who tends to mix his Biblical references with those in The Great Gatsby. ("Gatsby had a mansion in Jericho.") In this respect, he would seem a perfect match for Sally, but she thinks otherwise; frustrated beyond endurance, she kicks him out of her class...only to discover that he's the minister's son! He later comes by her house, ostensibly to apologize for his behavior, but actually to confess that he has fallen in love with her. As a token of his esteem, he makes a gift of his pacifier. Fortunately, Sally dodges this particular arrow from Cupid's quiver, and Larry never mentions his infatuation again.

Cormac First appearance: July 17, 1992

This lively little chap becomes Charlie Brown's swimming buddy during one session of summer camp. Cormac must be a big-city kid from a land-locked state, since he knows absolutely nothing about swimming...not even whether his nose should go above or below the water. But Cormac has excellent taste in women; he announces that Marcie is "very beautiful" and should be a model; when she suspiciously asks what he intends to be upon growing up, he replies, "Smooth." Cormac later turns up in Sally's class at school, in the desk directly behind her. Although a bit self-conscious because he's shorter than she is, he nonetheless writes her a love letter...which Snoopy swallows before it can do any damage.

Royanne First appearance: April 1, 1993

Take note of the date on which this character is introduced. At first no more than the pitcher on an opposing baseball team, Royanne takes on new significance when Charlie Brown hits a game-winning home run in the ninth inning. "You've ruined my life," she balefully tells him, at which point she also mentions that she's the great-granddaughter of Roy Hobbs...the fictional character played by Robert Redford in the film adaptation of Bernard Malamud's The Natural. Matters get even crazier a few months later, when Royanne once more faces Chuck from the pitcher's mound; he once again knocks the ball away, charges around the bases and slides right over her en route to home plate and a call of "Safe!" But later that summer, over a chocolate sundae, Royanne confesses that she let Charlie Brown hit those homers, because he "looked cute." Worse still, poor Chuck gets stuck for the sundaes!

Ethan First appearance: July 14, 1993

Charlie Brown meets a lot of his friends at camp, and Ethan numbers among that group. He likes crafts projects and enjoys making Indian arrows, although he seems a bit unclear on the concept: "Without them," he says, holding what looks like a road sign arrow, "they wouldn't know which way they were going." (He and Sally should get along very well.) Ethan wants to be a newspaper columnist when he grows up, because he has very strong opinions about everything. By way of proving this, he takes one look at Charlie Brown's signature zigzag shirt and proclaims it "stupid-looking." Goodness...with friends like this, who needs critics?

Andy First appearance: February 14, 1994 First identified by name: February 19, 1994

Andy turns up with Spike and Olaf when Snoopy lands in the hospital, thanks to a bout of pneumonia. (The three brothers explain that they knew he was sick because "animals have an instinct about things like this.") Andy seems a sensible pooch, and knows that Snoopy is "the lively one in the family." Andy also questions the by-now disparate aspects of Snoopy's various siblings, wondering why he is fuzzy, when Spike is thin and Olaf is fat. Andy describes himself and Olaf as "a couple of farm dogs" who felt obedience school was a waste of time. Later, after Snoopy's recovery, Andy and Olaf leave the farm in search of a new home. They decide to visit Needles, believing that since Spike knows Mickey Mouse, he can get them jobs in Hollywood. Unfortunately, those "animal instincts" apparently don't include any sense of direction; Andy and Olaf wind up in Alaska and points even further off the beaten track...although they always manage to find their way back to Snoopy's dog house.

Emily First appearance: February 11, 1995

When Charlie Brown decides to broaden his social skills by attending a ballroom dance class, this charming young lady approaches and asks him for a waltz. Fred Astaire never had it so good with Ginger Rogers. Chuck is dazzled by this "enchanted early afternoon," filled as it is with Emily's long hair and soft hands. Unfortunately, when Charlie Brown next returns to class, nobody remembers ever seeing a girl matching his description! Was she merely a figment of his imagination? Apparently not, because they meet again when Emily invites him to the Sweetheart Ball, although poor Chuck gets ejected when Snoopy crashes the dance. Emily returned a few more times, whenever Charlie Brown seemed to be at his lowest; a few turns around the dance floor, and his mood became buoyant once again.

Joe Agate First appearance: April 7, 1995

Charlie Brown may seem ineffectual in Lucy's critical eyes, but he can rise to the occasion when the chips are down. His mythic encounter with the villainous Joe Agate, dubbed the best marble champ "this side of the Mississippi," begins when this dastardly bully wins all of Rerun's marbles in what the little fellow thinks is a friendly game. ("All I have left is the empty sack!" he wails.) Apparently, Joe never tells his victims that they're playing for keeps, a subterfuge that "Cool Thumb Brown" sees through right away. "Knuckle down," Chuck advises the suddenly wary Joe; when the dust settles, Rerun has all his marbles back. The cute allusion to Shane is deliberate -- and Rerun plays his role well -- and the saga concludes as Charlie Brown refuses to hang around, explaining that he's just a "stranger passing through." Cool Thumb Brown then heads off into the sunset, presumably to the next town and its equally flimflammed marble shooters.

Snoopy's Mother Sole appearance: July 26, 1996

If Snoopy's adventures as the WWI Flying Ace are no more than a figment of his imagination, then that has serious consequences for his depictions of his own mother. Spike frequently pops up in the trenches as a lowly infantry grunt during Snoopy's skirmishes with the Red Baron, and on at least one occasion Mom sends some cookies to her scrawny son on Valentines Day. But when Spike gets the dread flu and winds up in a hospital, Mom doesn't hesitate; she immediately hops onto a troop ship to bring him some tapioca pudding. Her tender ministrations help revive Spike to his usual emaciated glory, after which she chooses to remain in Paris following the war. "But that," Snoopy tells us, "is another story."

Naomi First appearance: October 1, 1998

Poor Spike seems to experience more than his share of trauma. The gaunt beagle decides to amble into town one day, where he stands on a street corner, hoping to meet a beautiful Hollywood-type girl in a convertible, who will take him home. He gets his wish...in a manner of speaking. The very perceptive Naomi spots him standing around, notices that he doesn't look very good, and hauls him in to see her mother. Naomi, it turns out, is no ordinary little girl; she's a veterinarian's daughter, and Spike has chosen to stand in front of an animal clinic. This proves serendipitous, for it turns out that he has distemper! Naomi faithfully nurses him back to health with tapioca pudding (goodness, but he must love the stuff) and then, when he's all better, fulfills Spike's wish by taking him home...albeit not in a convertible.

Joe Cactus First mentioned by name: December 8, 1998

Living in Needles, Spike has been surrounded by cactus since he first was introduced. Over the course of many years, the gaunt beagle has befriended some of his imposing, spiny "neighbors." They don't say much; on the other hand, they never crab at him. One particular saguaro seems to appear more than the others; Spike talks to it, reclines in its shade, and tries to teach it to fetch. (The spines catch things very well, but the cactus isn't too good at tossing stuff back.) Spike finds his cactus inspiring, the way it stands tall and reaches for the heavens...and its "arms" are perfect for hanging Christmas decorations. On this particular day, while writing Christmas cards, Spike makes the greetings a joint effort: from him and "Joe Cactus." Looks like the poor beagle may have lived out in the desert one holiday season too many...

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