Life — December 26, 1930 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life's Dog Calendar (1931) This page is primarily an **advertisement for a calendar product**, not a political cartoon. The 1931 "Life's Dog Calendar" features a detailed portrait of a Boston Terrier or similar breed, titled "The Portrait of a Gentleman." The illustration is signed by Carlton Smith. The "joke" is gentle wordplay: the dog is presented as a refined "gentleman," appealing to pet owners' affection for their animals. The ad copy promises that LIFE magazine's dog pictures will "help make your dates delightful" and offers readers an opportunity to order calendars. This reflects 1931 consumer culture—using cute animal imagery to promote products—rather than containing political satire. It's essentially a mail-order advertisement disguised as editorial content.