Tintin, the boy reporter who never files a story, is probably one of the most iconic and recognisable characters ever created.
And like all icons he needs his sidekick.
Where would Batman be without Robin? Superman without Lois Lane? And of course Tintin without his faithful companion Snowy.
That was the dilemma facing producers at the Theatre Royal Brighton, where a new stage production of the Herge adventure Tintin In Tibet is being staged.
To solve the problem they held a competition to find a pooch to play the part.
After a long search to find a star they have now been successful.
Every dog has its day and for family pet Alfie the bright lights of fame beckon after he was chosen to be the production's Snowy.
Belonging to the Mohammed family of Dudley Road, Brighton, Alfie will be treading the boards throughout the next week.
Sharmina Mohammed, 33, said the pet really belonged to her three children Sabrina, 15, Rahul, 11 and Tanifha, seven, and that he was a friendly lovable dog with a taste for cheese.
She said: "We are all going to see him on the stage and can't wait. We are all very happy for him."
Although Alfie is a Bichon Frisse, as opposed to a West Highland Terrier like Snowy, judges were taken with his white coat - plus the fact no other dogs entered the competition.
Any fan of Tintin knows that Snowy has dialogue, so to overcome the problem of Alfie having to learn lines and act, the crew have turned to actor Miltos Yerolemou to bring the terrier to life for most of the play.
Touring the country with the production he's found he has stiff competition for the audience's affections.
Miltos said: "The dog gets much more ahhhhs and oooohs than I do. It comes on at the beginning and it comes on at the end and when it comes on at the end it's like ahhh, thank God that dog is back."
So how does Tintin feel about his new co-star?
Matthew Parish, who plays the Belgian reporter, said: "They say never work with children or animals but it does vary from place to place.
"Sometimes they're nice quiet little dogs who just sit and do as they're supposed to and sometimes they get a bit confident on stage and want to run the show and spend half the time giving me a good kiss but it varies.
"I haven't been bitten yet but onwards and upwards, I'm sure we'll do fine."
Herge's Adventures Of Tintin is at the Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, until Saturday October 20 at 7pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost £11 to £20.50, family ticket £49. Call the box office on 08700 606650.
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