Infected Tube

The year 2009 is almost over (not to mention the decade), so everyone is coming out with lists, but we want to highlight just one – The Best Photos Of 2009, put together by Boston.com’s Big Picture blog. We’ll preview the first, the most obvious, and then you should head over to Boston.com.

You thought we were going NSFW with this one?

A Groundhog Protects His Nut

Presented without comment:

There is nothing else to say, other than, it’s Shaq and a panda:

The Taco Bell Chihuahua has passed away:

The Taco Bell chihuahua was a popular advertising figure and mascot, voiced by Carlos Alazraqui, and developed by TBWA and used by Taco Bell, which is a division of Kentucky, United States-based Yum! Brands. The Chihuahua is a breed commonly associated with Mexico, as are the tacos the restaurant serves. At least two dogs were used as models: the original was named Dinky, but was replaced shortly thereafter by a dog named Gidget. Dinky and a dog named Taco would also be stand-ins for Gidget.

Need some background?

Monkey on the Lam first appeared in August 2007 after a monkey escaped and went “on the lam” in Wisconsin. It has recurred occasionally, featuring stories of escaped monkeys, but mostly revolving around Colbert’s disappointment upon the discovery that whatever story is being profiled has been resolved and will not need follow up, giving him no excuse to use the graphic featuring a monkey riding a lamb and firing a gun. A “Lobster Edition” of the segment was also featured, using the same graphic.