Morton

Morton is a dog from the Special Zone. Years ago, he was exploring in the Mandrake Swamp of Planet Meridian when he discovered Root, at the time a plant small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Root managed to attach itself to Morton's neck, and then took control of Morton's mind. It gradually grew all over Morton's body, creating a woody outer shell that Root could use as a body of its own as it attempted to conquer the planet. When Root's body was destroyed by Sonic the Hedgehog dropping a pillar on him, Morton was freed from Root's control.