RICHMOND, Va. - Forget the back and forth attacks with Mitt Romney. Newt Gingrich's campaign has decided to take another route on his bid to the Republican nomination: pets and music.

The campaign said today that it will soon launch a "Pets With Newt"  site aimed at Gingrich's love for animals, intended to show a "lighter side" of the candidate. "As speaker I made it possible for people in public housing to keep their pets in 1988. I love pets so we're going to have an entire project," Gingrich said.

Gingrich doesn't have any pets at this time, but he told ABC News today he and his wife Callista want a dog in the White House, and it's a friendly disagreement between the couple over what kind and size of dog. Callista wants a small dog and Newt wants a large dog, though he says dogs like a Great Dane are a little too large.

"When I was a child I had a cocker spaniel and Doberman pincher and German Sheppard. But we have not yet had a family conference on this topic," Gingrich said.

The campaign also plans to release a music education video starring Callista, who is a classically trained musician and signer. "A music education video from my wife will be on the importance of music education and her background as a classical French horn player and a singer in the Basilica."

The campaign's approach is to show a fun side of the former Speaker of House and involve Callista more in the campaign.

"Were going to do things that are interesting and positive and fun and try to get back the idea that you can have citizenship," Gingrich said. "Politics doesn't have to be mean and nasty and disgusting. You can actually have fun as citizens working together."