UGA VIII DIES! SHOULD BREED’S HEALTH ISSUES AFFECT CHOICE OF FUTURE MASCOT??
By Editorial Staff
Just about the worst thing that could happen after a great signing day for CMR and the University and the realization of the 2011 “Dream Team,” in fact happened. Our University mascot, UGA VIII, died, apparently succumbing to the cancer that was announced about a month ago. Just last week, I blogged my concern that there had been no additional news about UGA since the announcement that he had lymphoma. Apparently, my wish that “no news is good news” was not to be.
UGA VIII served less than one season, having not been introduced until the Home Coming Vandy game in 2010. This means that we have lost two mascots (UGAs VII, having passed on Nov 19, 2009 and VIII) within two years, whereas previously the UGA line had only six dogs serving between 1956 and 2008. (source: ledger-enquirer.com). This is truly a sad, sad day in Georgia football history. In retrospect, UGA VIII’s passing reflects the final chapter and closing of a football season we all wish we could forget.
See previous blog (01/24/2011) for the history of the UGA mascot at Georgia.
There is no secret that the manner in which the Old English Bulldog has been bred in attempts to change the physical attributes of the dog (shorter, stockier, broader look) has resulted in a multitude of health problems that has plagued this breed from the moment the modern bulldog is born. According to bulldogbreeds.com, “Around 1835, laws were passed in England prohibiting bull baiting and the Olde English Bulldogges main purpose of existence vanished. Within a decade the numbers of bulldogs declined drastically almost to extinction. Dog show fanciers eventually decided to reconstruct the breed, but wanted to tone down the aggressive temperament of the original Olde English Bulldogge. They crossed the remnants of the existing stock with the pug and over the years that followed they developed the modern English Bulldog. Unfortunately though, this modern dog is wrought with all kinds of genetic health problems.” The breed has skin, breathing, and heart problems. The average life span of today’s breed is about nine years, at best.
With absolutely no intent to take likely the passing of our beloved UGA VIII or the suffering I am sure the Seiler family is going through right now, I cannot help but say aloud what has crossed my mind. This disastrous situation, and the heart ache it has brought, almost makes one ponder if, as part of the Dawgs’ rebirth in 2011, a Phoenix rising from the ashes if you will, that it might be time to change the mascot with one with a little more longevity.
If this ever happens, which of course it will not, I would like to offer to CMR and the University the services of my pet African Grey Parrot, Gracie PoopOn. She will turn one year old on February 7th. The African Grey Parrot in captivity, properly cared for, has a life span of 50-65 years. More importantly, Gracie talks and says with gusto, “Go Dawgs! Go Georgia! Go Georgia Dawgs! Go Dawgs Georgia!.” She will work for peanuts. The colors are right, as she has a black beak, dark grey feathers, and bright red tail and feathers around her, well, derriere. By the way, she also says “Big Red Butt! Uhh!” (probably a huge mistake I taught her that one!) Look at it this way, she would make a much better mascot than UGA’s orginal mascot, A GOAT!
GO YOU HAIRY PARROT HEAD???????????????? Jimmy Buffet would like it!
REMEMBER, A BLOG WITHOUT COMMENTS IS THE SAME AS
“THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING”
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!
LET THE BIG DAWG EAT!
By: Dawgman1973 (Gary K.) Lead-Blogger “Dawn of the Dawg