"Maximus the Beagle" at the annual Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canada, in 2007. Very cute! (Photo courtesy of Bobcatnorth on Flickr)

"Felix the Cat", from Champaign, IL. I loved watching Felix the Cat on TV when I was a kid. (Photo courtesy of the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois)

The pink elephant colored the skies of Botswana in 2009. This picture is fantastic. I wish I had the space to rescue an elephant. I guess we'd have to move to Africa! (Photo courtesy of Ecoworldly.com)

Pedigree Dog balloon at the 10th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in 2006 in Angeles, Philippines. This friendly Lab was one of the biggest balloons at the event. (Photo courtesy of Our Awesome Planet on Flickr)

The turtle balloon at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, in the UK, in 2009. Is the happy turtle being held by the shoelaces, or am I going crazy? (Photo courtesy of Mark and The Zebra on Flickr)

Bird hot air balloon. Is it a sparrow? What do you think? (Photo courtesy of MyAmazingFact at Blogspot)

This Mickey Mouse balloon celebrated the 50th anniversary of Disney in San Francisco, CA, in 2006. I post it as a tribute to all pet mice! (Photo courtesy of MousePlanet.com, photo by Frank Anzalone)

A blown-up fish balloon at the inaugural Santa Paula Hot Air Balloon Festival, in Los Angeles, CA. This one I dedicate to our reader Marcia Amaral, a fish lover! (Photo courtesy of Patricia Pix on Flickr)

Rooster balloon at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, UK, in 2009. I wish I could have chickens at home. (Photo courtesy of Mark and The Zebra on Flickr)