"I think it's time I became a bum steer, or ran off and joined an eccentric monastic order." (Photo by Stephanie J.)

"Hello, Zarex? This is Vartag! I ran into a spot of trouble while attempting to turn myself into a Wheaten terrier. I need help big time. Holy Cow!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"OK, canine characters! Time for our current story, such as it is, to resume. Everybody in their places!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Hold on a damn minute! I don't want to blow my cover!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Actually, I was thinking of flying to Vegas and doing some shopping at the Lush Puppy. Can you drop me from a few paragraphs?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

Is my character really needed in this chapter, or do I have time to scamper off to meet George at his place in the Maldives?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"OK, let's try to get this tale straight. Ava, who was once a shark and then a dog, is now a duck? Is that the main plot emphasis, or am I missing something?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"She's still a shark as far as I'm concerned, and the plot has thickened like five-day-old gravy in a garbage can." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"I thought she was now Queen of the Gummy Bear Galaxy." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"There are bears involved? I like polar bears...and sometimes the Chicago Bears." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Great tin dog whistles! Read what's in the archives!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Could we get an outline of the plot or something? I mean, there is an outline, right? How about crib notes?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Could we just get on with the story? I hate this run-on blather!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Make me a minor character for a while, will you, darlings? You know how I like to dally between the parenthesis." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Sergeant" Stubby, a stray Pit Bull Terrier, was the most decorated dog in US history. He was smuggled aboard a troop ship during WWI, and proudly served with the men of the 102nd Infantry in the trenches of France. He took part in four offensives and 17 battles. After he saved his regiment from a mustard gas attack, he was awarded a special gold medal by General Black Jack Pershing. Stubby was honored by three US presidents, and died of old age in 1926. (Photo compliments of Leatherneck31)