BEIJING, China -- Two Atlanta dogs are a big hit in China.

Mike Giles, senior vice president of the Georgia Poultry Federation, was visiting a school outside of Beijing during a trade mission when he pulled out a picture of his two pet dogs, Mister Hobbes and Andi. He almost started a small riot.

About 100 screaming children began grabbing at the photo while Giles began retreating.

"It got out of control very quickly," Giles told Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Jim Tharpe. "They acted like it was a precious gem or something."

Pets are rare in rural areas of China.

Giles gave the picture of the dogs to the school principal so it could be posted. He also gave teachers the address to the web site, misterhobbes.com, he maintains to show off his dogs.