His dog represents a bygone era - the days of silent movies and vaudeville. But the memory of the American bull terrier still lives in the hearts of many Americans, as well as of former owner Ted Lucenay of Robinson.
Pete, the canine comedian from the Our Gang movie shorts, still receives attention although he's been gone for more than 50 years. A quick search on the Internet confirms continued interest in the Our Gang stars, with numerous Web sites devoted to the group.
Movie rental stores, such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, still receive enough interest to carry the classic comedies and the newer versions. Younger residents might remember the Little Rascals, the name that replaced Our Gang for television distribution. The newer movies used a different dog to play Pete.
Lucenay is regularly bombarded with requests for pictures and for information about his beloved animal. Museums have contacted him, and the Waco-McLennan County Library also wanted information for a display.
Lucenay's wife, Helen Lucenay, said the interest in Pete comes and goes.
"When the movies were brought back on television, people would call for a story or want Ted to send them a picture," she said. "I don't think Ted minds. This is something that's a part of him."
Although Ted Lucenay is used to the attention, Pete was more than a celebrity to him. He was a best friend.
"He was a gentle, playful and warm dog," Ted Lucenay said. "He would sleep at the foot of my bed. He was just the regular family dog. I really miss him."
Ted Lucenay was a young boy growing up in California when Pete was alive. When the pair would go for walks, people would stop Ted Lucenay and Pete, so they could have their picture taken with the dog.
"He was always recognized," Ted Lucenay said. "Everybody loved him."
To further publicize the lovable pup, Lucenay's father, Harry Lucenay, would take Pete to the Steel Pier in Atlantic City for fans to meet him and pose for pictures with him.
Pete first got his break in show business in the 1920s when he took the place of Pal - his dad - in the Buster Brown silent movies. The Buster Brown director, Hal Roach, went on to direct Pete in the Our Gang comedies. Infamous for the ring around his left eye and his funny antics. Pete quickly stole the show.
And now, as his legend carries on, people are wondering what happened to the remains of the Tinseltown dog. Pete died in 1946, when Lucenay was 18. Lucenay joined the Army and after his discharge, settled in the Waco area in the 1950s when he married Helen.
According to e-mails from roadsideamerican.com, Pete has sparked numerous rumors concerning his whereabouts. One reference mentions Pete was poisoned, leading to his demise. Another reference mentions cemeteries where Pete could be buried.
But, Luceney said, none of the rumors are true. Pete died of old age, not poison. As for the final resting place of the famous pup - that secret remains with Lucenay.
But one thing's for certain: The black ring around Pete's left eye was not the work of a makeup artist. The natural skin coloration was such an oddity that it became certified by Ripley's Believe It or Not.
When asked about the rumors and information circulating about Pete, Lucenay responded, "There's always going to be something out there. And in today's world, anything's possible."