It's Going to the Dogs...

"Lassie, get help!"
"Rut row, Raggy!"
"Get me those puppies!"

Hollywood has once again gone to the dogs. For years, our canine companions have been making grand appearances on the silver screen and audiences have been lapping it up.

Just what is our fascination with these furry stars? There always seems to be a market for a movie that features those big, soupy eyes, loyal personalities and that constant grin-like look.

It must be that animal featuring movies pull at our heartstrings. If nothing else can be said about the movie, at least you can say the dogs were cute!

With the recent releases of Disney/Pixar's Up!, those lovable mutts are once again making an appearance on the big screen.

All through the ages these four-legged fur balls have brought a smile to our face, a warmth to our hearts and, sometimes, even a tear to our eye.

Old Yeller (1957)- When a big yellow dog shows up on the farm, young Travis Coates reluctantly adopts him while trying to help run the farm with his father gone. After a number of close calls, Travis and Yeller become nearly unseparable. But can it sustain the test of trials they can't control? (Warning: This is a (at minimum) two tissue movie. You have been warned.)

Did You Know?: The dog that played Yeller's name was Spike. Also, although the dialogue describes Yeller as mutt, Spike was a Yellow Labrador Retriever.

The Incredible Journey (1963)- Three four-legged friends take a journey across the country to find and rejoin their "family." The film chronicles the journey of a cat and two dogs as they face mountains, wild animals and other seemingly impossible obstacles to find when they think they've been left behind as their family vacations.

Did You Know?: Bodger, the bull terrier, is referred to as a male but was actually played by a female! Also, the film was remade as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey in 1993 and featured the voice talents of Michael J. Fox and Sally Field

Lassie Come Home (1943)- When the Carraclough fall upon hard times, they are force to sell their beloved Collie. But Lassie, unwilling to be separated from his loving owners, journeys far and wide to join them again, helping those in need along the way.

Did You Know?: Pal, the Collie who played Lassie, was paid $250 dollars a week while his human co-star, a young Elizabeth Taylor was payed only $100 dollars a week!

101 Dalmatians (1961)-When the evil Cruella DeVil gets a fancy to make a Dalmation puppy fur coat, the 15-puppy litter of Perdita and Pongo go missing. With the help of the "Twilight Bark" and many new friends along the way, the two spotted parents have to rescue their pups and the 84 other abducted puppies from Cruella's bumbling henchmen before it's too late.

Did You Know?: There are approximately 6,469,952 spots throughout the whole movie, frame by frame.