Sarah Palin -- Blasted for Pic of Trig Standing on a Dog

Sarah Palin thought photos of her six-year-old son Trig using a dog as a "stepping stone" were inspirational, and they did inspire -- Palin's own followers to rip her for animal cruelty.

Palin posted the pics on New Year's Day showing Trig standing over the sink ... using the family dog to boost him up so he could do dishes.

Palin wrote, "Determined to help wash dishes with an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for ‘up!’, found me and a lazy dog blocking his way. He made his stepping stone."