Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for August 26, 2022

as if they didn’t already

Doggonit

Actually, that’s just Phideaux covering for Wilber while he goes fishing today.

Watch that first step scooter

The boss will think Wilber is just as productive at work as usual.

If sanity and competence starts happening on Ballard Street, others will start getting suspicious.

Phideaux bears watching. They caught him at the banks auto-teller trying to cash out Wilbers account. Claimed he was just window shopping.

Hey, isn’t that our hedge fund manager?

The Chariot.

Phideaux has been around humans too long. Get up, go out that front door, and – whatever.

Great disguise, Phideaux. They’ll never see through it.

Phideaux, you need to rethink…

All of you dogs….

I can’t think of anyplace where life is sweeter for dogs than here on Ballard Street.

Most have nice human companions, and if they don’t, they’re free to move…

We call them your owners and masters, but in reality, Ballard County doesn’t recognise legal ownership of sentient beings.

Unlike most places, we also issue canine driver’s licenses, and allow home and other property ownership by dogs.

And yet, most of you don’t work… you get fed, petted, dressed and groomed by humans, who go off to boring jobs so they can buy you kibble and even hamburgers.

Why would you want to take over, and have to show up every day at Morty’s Pineapple Empire, or Bingham and Ballard Billiards and Escrow Parlor, just to buy your own Milk Bones?

This looks wrong – it does not suit him – it’s not fitting.

I believe it’s happened…

My two can take over for me any old time. I’m ready to retire and let other people do.

Woof!

Ballard Street has gone to the Dogs. Actually that’s not a bad thing if you consider the other Ballard Street denizens.

Phideaux has the legs right, 2 sticks.

Lookin’ good in his houndstooth, ready to howl in the dog-eat-dog world during these dog days of summer…

Seriously? Do you think the Cats will allow the Dogs a place in their high command ?

It looks more like the overcoat has taken over. :)

Cats don’t need disguises. For them, world domination is the starting assumption for their behavior.

Think Bernice will notice?

Probably has squeaky chew toys in the briefcase. :)

Better them than A.I. computers.