From what I understand adding images next to ads are kind of a gray area. My understanding is that it is okay as long as you aren't using the image to mislead your visitor. I run a dog website and put an image of a dog at the top of my content as a 250 x 250 image and then to the left I put a 250 x 250 adsense ad. I feel that the image fits well within the layout of the website, but I don't want to be violating any rules. I'm not trying to be shady. Check out the website here. Do you think I'm okay?