Antiquibles Dog Museum in Texas

According to Barbara Hays of Waco, TX every year is the year of the dog. She has three real dogs of her own but her 7,000 others get the most attention, says John Pronk. "In a large corner of her antiques store the free Antiquibles Dog Museum draws people like a dog to a bone," he said. Hays and her husband David started the collection in 1967.

"We get people in here from all over the world and they tell me about their beloved pets, past and present," said Hays in a recent interview. "I love dogs and this is one way of showing people that the dog has been revered for centuries."

Indeed some of her collectibles date back to the 1600s, according to records. Hays said friends send dog collectibles to her, stated a recent article. To celebrate the Year of the Dog the pop culture web site retrocrush.com recently listed its "Top 100 Dogs of All Time," said the article.

Snoopy ranked #1 and Hays says she has many figures of the famous beagle. Hays' favorite dog? The RCA Victor canine "Nipper" of which she has several life-sized figures listening to "his master's voice" on the phonograph, which you can witness when you tour her place.

Dogs have been featured in many ads over the years including the Greyhound Bus greyhound, Spuds MacKenzie for beer, or Buster Brown Shoe Company's dog Tige. The art world hasn't forgotten man's best friend either, says Hays, who has a wide range of dogs in the museum.

"I have canes with dogs carved into them, rare toys such as Pluto marionette, and so many ceramic figurines that I admit I don't even try to keep them all dusted," said Hays who has over 7,000 dog figurines. The museum was featured on "An American Moment" with James Earl Jones.

Considered the world's largest dog museum Antiquibles is at exit 345 on Interstate 35, four miles north of Waco on the east side of the freeway. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 362 days a year. They are closed Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.