Life Is a Circus, Charlie Brown to the entrance of the big top with his tongue hanging out and his pupils shaped like hearts, then stops. Polly, the dog's trainer, sees Snoopy and pulls him inside. The next day, Peppermint Patty calls Charlie Brown to tell him her school gave all students the day off to see the circus. Charlie Brown tells her that his school will be closed as well, and they decide to attend the circus together. At the circus the children see Snoopy perform as part of a dog act. They all realize it is Snoopy and eventually relish his new career, despite
The Family Circus the run of the strip. Bil (named Steve in the early years of the strip) works in an office, and he is believed to be a cartoonist, most likely based on the writer of the strip because he draws big circles on paper, presumably a cartoon version of the "Family Circus". Some early panels referred to Bil as a veteran of World War II. Thel is a college-educated homemaker. The "Los Angeles Times" ran a feature article on the Thelma character when Keane updated her hairstyle in 1996. The oldest child is 7-year-old Billy. A recurring theme involves Billy as