Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for August 19, 2008

Who is this guy, and how did he get to Ballard Street? Where are the dogs when we need them?

Tulip, you are very profound.

HI, everybody!

Please join us (the rest of them are on the way… really!) in posting comments on

the August 19th  2018 “CLEO and COMPANY” 

Which, of course, you can read on Sherpa

http://www.comicssherpa.com/site/feature?uc_comic=cscwy

Tonight’s strip is a departure….. I was expecting another chapter in the Robin Hound saga….

but this is neither Robin nor Cleo.

More of a photo essay on Tulip…

a lovely dog with whom I seem to have an awful lot in common.

I know most of you have never seen me….

and I’ve seen myself plenty of times (maybe too many) in the mirror.

But sometimes we see what we want to see….

Is there any chance, do you think, that I’m actually a basset hound, and I don’t know it?

In any case, I think Tulip’s profile is perfectly noble.

Not like Randy.

Randy has a slight air of ignobility.

Obviously nuance is not his style….

anyone can see that he’s a Big Picture guy.

Noble thoughts and noble deeds probably need a bit of purplie eye shadow before they can emanate properly.

Randy got all those fashion tips from Herb at WKRP.

To pee or not to pee – that is the question.

Aaahh, so noble!!! Thank goodness I get to be a loafer every day!!!

Love those pics

I started to say my favorite Tulip was the fork in the road. But then I really liked the half a loaf, and then changed to that very high curb. What the hey………they’re all pretty profound (as Dennis said). Love them all.!!!

Tulip’s collar is all …. what’s the word …. think think think …. purplie?

Tulip, I think, was the great, great, great aunt of Cleo…..well, I’m not sure exactly HOW many generations back she goes, but she sure was GREAT!!

These are really great pictures of the life of Tulip. I love them all, but my favorite is the ‘fear of commitment’.

So which of our talented artists was responsible for this whimsical creation? (Could have been either IMO)

this would be a good place to post the ‘Rainbow Bridge’ poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

it gets me every time

Tulip is adorable. I want to give her a hug right now.

PS: and clearly a true zen master.

PPS: My sympathies on your losses. They steal our hearts.