Fred Basset by Alex Graham for December 29, 2023

as long as they can afford treats for you Fred…

The Dears aren’t alone in that scenario. But as long as they can afford you, sausages, choc drops and Doggy Bix, that’s all that matters.

They’re not exactly in the poor house themselves…

Oh, great! First appearance of the Barrington-Smyths’. Not befriended with them yet obviously. Don’t worry Fred, you will be friends with them and their lovely puppies and go house sitting a lot. Your future will be (or was, in your case) very bright :-D

When I was a kid there was a family of Joneses up the street. It was never a matter of keeping up with them because they were too busy keeping ahead of the constabulary.

Yeah, Fred. But think of the upkeep of these places. Mr. & Mrs Dear might dream of such places but the cost of living is prohibative….

Fred as they would say in Nascar Racing … Ya Got To Run What Ya Brung ;-)

At least you have a roof over your head and eat regularly.

Be grateful for what you have Fred (and the Dears). There are those who envy you.

Keeping up with the Jones’ is less important than you think, Fred!

Times have changed. Personally, I wouldn’t want to live in such a grand and huge place…

They have nothing to feel down about. They are very comfortable in their little home with their delightful dog.

Why would people, that are comfortable, get depressed when someone is doing better then them? I can understand if you destitute, but even poor people can have wonderful lives if they have family and friends.

Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else’s fairy tale.

Everyone needs see the video of a poor woman in labor…. sitting on the bed, while an older woman spreads a plastic on the floor, and the woman in labor gets down on it, and delivers a baby…. her 8th… all in the same way…..

Better than holding your own with the Smyth’s…

The Dears and Fred live in a cozy house

But the Barrington-Smyths don’t have a basset hound. Your people win!