place two random dog images next to a ggplot object

ggpup.R

# define function
# this code is just for fun and I do not have rights to the images on dogtime.com I just like dogs

ggpup <- function(ggplotObject){

# required packages 
  require(dplyr)
  require(jpeg)
  require(grid)
  require(gridExtra)
  require(RCurl)
  require(rvest)
  require(stringi)
  require(extrafont)
  
# scrape a list of image URLS from the dogtime breed profiles homepage  

if (!exists("imgurls")){
# read page source
dogIndex <- read_html("http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/profiles")
# keep node of interest (identified using Selectorgadget)
scrapedHtml <- dogIndex %>% html_nodes(".horizontal-group-listing") %>% toString()

# match image urls
## Find everything that starts with "http"
### No white spaces allowed
### Ends with jpg 
#### Note: this regex is for PC
imgurlslist <- stri_match_all_regex(scrapedHtml,"(http[^\\s]+(jpg)\\b)")
# subset into character vector
imgurls <- imgurlslist[[1]][,1]
  }


# scrape two dog breed photos (randomized)
urlInd <- sample(length(imgurls),2,rep=F)
# for upper right corner
dogImg.URLU <- imgurls[urlInd[1]]
# save as a raster object
dogImgU <- rasterGrob(readJPEG(getURLContent(dogImg.URLU)))
# for lower right corner
dogImg.URLL <- imgurls[urlInd[2]]
# save as a raster object
dogImgL <- rasterGrob(readJPEG(getURLContent(dogImg.URLL)))


# graphical parameters
# define plot layout 
lay <- rbind(c(1,1,2),
             c(1,1,3))

# set up some attribution text
  # the fontfamily parameter is optional, erase or change to something else to match the fonts available for your system
rightText=textGrob("images from www.dogtime.com", rot=90, gp=gpar(fontfamily = "Roboto Condensed Light"))

# arrange the plot and the image side by side
grid.arrange(ggplotObject, dogImgU, dogImgL, layout_matrix=lay,widths=c(2,1,1),right=rightText)

}