Louisiana dog featured on Ohio's 'dog-friendly' license plate

In this Nov. 11, 2009 picture, Mac, a yellow Labrador Retriever, poses in Monroe, La. with a portrait and the license plate which incorporated it. Ohio also offers a plate with a portrait of a kitten or a cartoon of a cat and dog. (AP Photo/The News-Star, Terrance Armstard)

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MONROE, La. (AP) — Ohio's "dog-friendly" license plate features a friendly Louisiana dog.

J.J. and Mary Linda Huggins of Monroe just wanted a portrait to frame when they sent a photo of Mac, their 9-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, to artist Debbie Stonebraker of Foley, Mo.

Mac's picture joined hundreds on Stonebraker's Web site. People with The Ohio Pet Fund, looking to illustrate its license plate, browsed that site.

Mary Linda Huggins said their only compensation was a sample plate with Mac's name on it.

Ohio also offers a plate with a portrait of a kitten or a cartoon of a cat and dog.

The Louisiana Pet Overpopulation Council also sponsors a pet license plate.

Both groups use proceeds for low-cost spay and neutring programs.

Mary Linda Huggins said, "Ohio's is cuter."

On the Net:

Ohio plate: http://www.petsohio.com/

Louisiana plate: http://www.lapetplate.org/index.htm

Stonebraker Art: stonebrakerart.com