Pluto—the dog, the god, and the planet

Three of the most pondered questions in western civilization are:

• Why does Mickey, a mouse, own Pluto, a dog?
• Why does Goofy wear clothes and talk and Pluto doesn't? They're both dogs.
• What's up with Pluto not being a planet any more and what else did I learn that isn't true?

One of the big stories of 1930 was the discovery of a far off planet which someone named Pluto. Pluto was the Roman god of the underworld, the home of the dead. Pluto the planet is cold, dark, distant and forbidding.

That same year Disney introduced a lovable pup who had nothing to do with a far off planet or the home of the dead. But Pluto seemed to be an amusing name for the cute, happy dog.

(Some sources mistakenly say that Pluto was the Greek god of the underworld. That would be “Hades,” a terrible name for a dog.)

Soon Pluto the dog established himself as Mickey Mouse’s dog and best pal. For a while he played a minor role, but in 1934 he won the title role in a cartoon, “Playful Pluto.”

Since then he has starred in 48 Disney cartoon shorts, shown with his own doggie friends like Dinah the Dachshund, Fifi the Peke, and Ronnie the St. Bernard. Pluto the dog has maintained his popularity through the years and is recognized all over the world. He was awarded the Number 1 position in ‘The 100 Greatest Animated Pets of all Time.’ 

Pluto the planet hasn’t fared so well. In 2006 the International Astronomical Union demoted it  from a planet to a “dwarf planet.”

Some people were upset at the downgrading of the underdog planet, but life went on. 

Pluto the planet hasn’t been forgotten though. Even as you are reading this, the nuclear  powered New Horizons interplanetary probe is streaking its way through space to study Pluto.

The piano size probe was launched on January 19, 2006 and is expected to reach Pluto by 2015, traveling more than three billion miles to its destination.

If all goes well, in 2015, Pluto the planet will again be popular. Pluto the dog is expected to still be recognizable by most five year olds in 2015.

More information: Why Pluto the planet is no longer a planet

Comments

[Khyra]

Pluto was one of Mom's more favourite Disney kharakhters -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[Marion]

Pluto is a favourite of mine, my kids and my grandkids. Sometimes, when one of my dogs does something foolish, the first thing I do is think of Pluto! And I hope that planet gets the recognition it should have...

[George Roach]

This is an amazingly complete astronomical lesson on the history of Pluto (the planet). Thanks so much, Jan of the stars.

[Dennis the Vizsla]

I think Pluto the dog subscribes to the "better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt" philosophy. Goofy ought to consider it.

[rosemary]

Steve loves Pluto and Goofy...I'm with Dennis. Steve has a Goofy phone.......next to the bed.

[clive]

Loved all the extra information on Pluto!

Pluto the dog has always been Murray's favourite Disney character!

[Sling]

I'm a Capricorn,but now that Pluto is no longer a planet,I have to use Sagitarius' horoscope.

[cube]

Very informative. I still think of Pluto as a planet.

[cube]

I mean, Pluto is still larger than Michael Moore, whom I consider a planetoid ;-)

[online pet insurance]

Impressive post! Pluto became an important member of the Mickey Mouse universe and he has been one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time.

[plumbing]

Among companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty and friendship to humankind. Anyone who has ever loved a dog can attest to its hundred-fold return. The excitement your dog shows when you come home, the wagging tail at the sound of the leash being taken from its hook, the delight in the tossing of a tennis ball, and the head nestled in your lap-those are only some of the rewards of being a dog owner.