This Aug. 27, 2014 photo from a broadcast ad shows Boots McMaster, the bulldog owned by Henry McMaster the Republican who is running for South Carolina lieutenant governor, in Charleston, S.C. With dogs in almost half of American homes, a number of South Carolina political candidates this year are featuring the family pet dog in ads, on web sites and on Facebook pages. College of Charleston political scientist Gibbes Knotts says such ads help to humanize a candidate but probably are not that effective in winning votes. Ads that contrast candidates - negative ads - tend to work better, Knotts says. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
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