Dog enters Texas governor race

AUSTIN, Texas, July 7 (UPI) -- Officials with the Texas gubernatorial campaign of Woodrow the dog said the canine's candidacy is aimed at bringing awareness to animal issues.

Lorri Michel of Austin, who adopted Woodrow as a puppy from the Town Lake Animal Center in 2006, said the campaign -- which bears the slogan: "How ruff can it be?" -- is aimed at drawing attention to the struggles of Texas dogs and cats in need of loving homes, KVUE-TV, Austin, reported Wednesday.

"The hope that Woodrow brings is real, and it's tangible and it's strategic," Michel said. "The one thing that Woodrow has shown me is the truth in the saying that it is in giving that we really receive."

Woodrow, who faces "ruff" opposition from neck-in-neck competitors Rick Perry, the incumbent Republican, and Democrat Bill White, has received a valuable endorsement from Kinky Friedman, a humorist and former independent gubernatorial candidate.

"Woodrow is not an incumbent, and he hasn't even been indicted yet. So I don't think I'm going to regret this endorsement," Friedman said.

Michel said Woodrow's campaign is raising money for Austin Pets Alive, a charity for homeless animals.