What's the name of the Simpsons' pet dog?

Among all the pets in Springfield – from Mr. Burns' attack hounds to Bleeding Gums Murphy's singing junkyard dogs – one stands out by being spectacularly average. The Simpsons' greyhound may have finished last in every race, but he sprinted straight into TV history. So what do they call this lovable underdog who found his forever home with Springfield's favorite family?

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The answer is: Santa's Little Helper

Santa's Little Helper joined the Simpson family on Christmas Eve 1989, when Homer and Bart were dead broke at the dog track. After losing all their Christmas money betting on other dogs, they watched as this last-place racer (literally racing as #8) was abandoned by his owner. Despite his terrible racing record, they took him home – making him both a Christmas gift and probably the only good decision Homer made at the dog track that night.

Over the years, he's destroyed countless shoes, flunked obedience school spectacularly, and somehow managed to father 25 puppies. He's also lived a double life as "Santos L. Halper" (when Homer committed credit card fraud in his name). The family even tried replacing him once with Laddie, a super-intelligent collie who could sniff out drugs and rescue people from burning buildings.

But a perfect dog would never get why Homer thinks backing into a bush is a valid escape plan, or why the family's solution to most problems is starting a food fight. Dead last at the track, first place in chaos – sounds like a Simpson to me.