With Lassie and Rin Tin Tin in his entourage, animal actor Uggie, best known for his turns as Queenie in Water for Elephants and Jack in last year's Best Picture winner The Artist, retired from showbiz in style by marking his territory on the sidewalk of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

No, not like that: The ten-year-old Jack Russell was invited to plant his paw prints in the theatre's world-famous cement, becoming the first canine to do so.

"The main message that Uggie would like to send to everybody out there is to please adopt," said Uggie's trainer, Omar Van Muller. "He's adopted. He made it. If you guys can adopt a dog, even if they don't make it on the big screen, they'll be big stars at your house."

The ceremony was capped by an official proclamation by Councilman Tom LaBonge, who declared yesterday "Uggie Day" in the city of Los Angeles.

[photos via Getty]