Life — December 16, 1915 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# R.F.D. (Life Magazine, December 16, 1915) This cartoon by Will Ranwell depicts a dog wearing what appears to be a mail pouch or delivery bag labeled "R.F.D." (Rural Free Delivery). The dog's serious expression and formal presentation suggest satirical commentary on the U.S. Postal Service's Rural Free Delivery program. R.F.D., established in 1896, extended mail service to rural areas previously underserved by the post office. The cartoon likely mocks either the reliability of rural mail delivery, the somewhat absurdist notion of using dogs as actual mail carriers, or possibly criticizes the postal service's efficiency. The dog's dignified pose with the mail pouch creates humorous contrast—treating the canine as a serious postal worker or commenting on who actually handled mail delivery in remote areas.