Goofy IS a dog.

[Paragon]

http://psc.disney.go.com/guestservices/8709.html

Q: What is Goofy? When did he debut?

A: Goofy is a dog! Good-natured but not that bright, this cartoon character made his first appearance, somewhat disguised, as a member of the audience in "Mickey's Revue" (1932).

What distinguished the character from those sitting around him was not so much his appearance but his raucous laugh. That laugh made such an impression on Walt Disney and his staff that the character soon began to be featured in other cartoons. Before long, Goofy was part of the gang that included Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar.

In the newspaper comic strips, this new character was first given the name Dippy Dawg. A 1938 book indicated the first change to Dippy's name, "The Story of Dippy the Goof," and by 1939 the final change was made to Goofy with the release of the cartoon "Goofy and Wilbur."

Goofy was created as a human character, as opposed to Pluto, who was a pet, so he walked upright and had a speaking voice...

[gyopsy]

1. The Goofy v.s. Pluto thing...

always freaked me out. Even when I was little, I knew there was something very wrong with that.

The characters being able to defy gravity never struck me as odd.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Reminds me of an old amusing anecdote

Mickey and Minnie were getting a divorce and they went to see a counselor. Mickey talked to the counselor first and then Minnie went in to tell her side of the story. After they had both talked to the counselor, he told Mickey he didn't think he had grounds for divorce because Minnie wasn't crazy. Mickey told him, I didn't say Minnie was crazy, I said she was fucking Goofy.

[gyopsy]

3. lol

I'm sure the staff at Disney World won't be adding that joke to their welcoming monologues anytime soon.

[jean]

4. Hey! What a cool link to Air America Radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the first time I've seen anything palpable from them - is that pic of Franken the complete package? :: ahem ::