<P> Several months had passed between the naming of what was believed to be the ninth planet, Pluto, on March 24, 1930, and the attachment of that name to the dog character . Venetia Burney (later Venetia Phair), who as an eleven - year - old British schoolgirl had suggested the name Pluto for the planet, remarked in 2006: "The name had nothing to do with the Disney cartoon . Mickey Mouse's dog was named after the planet, not the other way around ." Although it has been claimed that Disney named the dog after the planet, rather than after the mythical god of the underworld, this has not been verified . Disney animator Ben Sharpsteen said "We thought the name (Rover) was too common, so we had to look for something else...We changed it to Pluto the Pup...but I don't honestly remember why ." Disney says they have no documents to support or refute the connection . Unofficially, even Disney's animators believed that Walt Disney chose the name to capitalize on the sensation of the newly named planet . </P> <P> Pluto was initially a minor character until 1934 when Disney animator Norm Ferguson gave the dog a key role in the cartoon Playful Pluto . Pluto becomes entangled with a sticky piece of flypaper, and Ferguson expanded the sequence significantly . The segment became a classic, demonstrating how Disney artists can take a simple circumstance and build humor through a character . </P> <P> Unlike Mickey's other animal friends, such as Goofy (who is also a dog), Pluto is a normal animal . Pluto does not speak, walk upright, or wear clothing . A significant departure from this was his speaking role in The Moose Hunt (1931), which was produced before Pluto's characterization had been clearly defined . As Pluto made more appearances, it became common that he would not speak, but only vocalize in barks and grunts . Other ways of communicating Pluto's thoughts occur through his facial expressions, and sometimes through the use of a shoulder angel / devil who speak directly to Pluto . (Mickey's Elephant, Lend a Paw). </P> <P> Pluto is generally a cheerful and adventurous dog, although he can be given to sheer panic when confronted with something unknown . Common themes in Pluto's stories involve him becoming jealous of Mickey getting another pet (Mickey's Elephant, Lend a Paw, Mickey and the Seal), Pluto accidentally and unwittingly swallowing something and panicking when he realizes it (Playful Pluto, Donald and Pluto), Pluto getting entangled with something inanimate, or Pluto being pestered by a smaller animal (Private Pluto, Squatter's Rights). In many of his appearances with Mickey, Pluto will get himself into trouble and cause Mickey to get angry at him . Mickey, however, often cheers up quickly; often telling Pluto "I can't be mad at ya ." </P>

Mickey is a mouse pluto is a dog what is goofy