Uga VII, the English bulldog mascot of the University of Georgia, died unexpectedly Thursday morning in Savannah of “heart related causes,” the school’s athletic association said.
Uga VII, 4, made his first official sideline appearance Bulldogs’ mascot on Aug. 30, 2008, replacing his father, Uga VI, who had died during the previous offseason. Georgia officials said a replacement mascot will not be named for the Nov. 21 contest vs. Kentucky, but a wreath will be placed on Uga VII’s doghouse near the east endzone.
Uga VII’s given name was Loran’s Best, in honor of longtime UGA football sideline reporter Loran Smith. He was the shortest tenured official mascot, replacing his father, who was the winningest Georgia mascot.
Although, if you have been following Georgia football this season, their play has killed more than just UGA VII. My mother is a Georgia grad, so all of the kids have always been fans of Georgia (I really only watch WVU and Georgia as far as college football), and of course we love UGA.
WereBear
That is sad. And the cause hints of a genetic disorder. Is this lineage OFA cardiac certified?
And if it’s not, will tradition ensure that more little puppy time bombs get produced?
wilfred
I’ve got a friend who breeds English bulldogs. He tells me that cardiovascular problems are ineradicable in the breed – boxers, too. My brindle boxer is the best dog I’ve ever had but he’s gassed after running not so much.
JGabriel
Oh, Uga VII, we hardly knew you!
No, really, I never fucking heard of you before.
.
scarshapedstar
If you think that’s sad… just wait until the rest of the team is stung to death by Yellow Jackets.
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!
Triumph
I know there’s likely a hereditary thing going on with the heart condition, but they really need to not have those mascots be so fat.
Tom
Gatorbait!!
Bill H
Not sure how much I love Georgia after that hairball they hawked up in the second half. San Diego State, Kansas, LSU…
Arizona at least took it into two overtimes, but I’m having a bad weekend.
Anyway, it is sad about Uga VII. He always seemed so “above it all” amidst all the hype and turmoil.
IanY77
That is a shame. However, upon further review by SEC officials, UGA’s death has been reversed and he’s now alive and happily biting coloured folks as we speak.
jcricket
Clearly another victim of Obamacare rationing!
(this is the latest line of attack based on the new breast cancer screening guidelines).
chopper
as a bulldog owner, i now has a deep sad.
BillCinSD
@Bill H: well compared to UGA VI who tried to bite an Auburn player that had just scored a TD he was rather above it all
JGabriel
Triumph:
Exactly. If people in the south would just stop feeding their pets deep-fried beer-battered bacon cheese marshmallows, those animals would live a lot longer.
.
Swellsman
Yeah, I’m a bulldog owner too. I lost my first bulldog, Virgil, a coupla years ago — also to a heart problem. It’s just something the comes with the breed.
Still, gotta tell ya . . . the bulldog is a wonderful dog. Very sweet, very loyal, very loving. Not too bright, but bright isn’t everything. I tell people about my dog, Napoleon: “He clocks in at about 60 pounds. 45 of that is bone and muscle, and 15 of that is heart. None of that is brains.”
I love my dog.
WereBear
It’s also the fault of the AKC, may they get a brain.
Back when, bulldogs would be outcrossed with other breeds to revitalize the line. It’s how we got bulldogs in the first place.
Not many people know the present Saint Bernard was outcrossed with Newfoundlands when the original breed was becoming genetically unstable. Fortunately, monks have more sense than huge committees which rake in registration fees, and the breed was saved.
But AKC rules won’t allow that. Even when dogs die and hearts break as a result.
In fact, a lot of breeds could use some outcrossing; not just for health, but for recognizing the use dogs have in our society today.
Face it, not that many people need a dog to run alongside the coach all day, or keep poachers from crossing a moat. Most people don’t have the resources, or understanding, necessary to keep many breeds happy and occupied.
RareSanity
@scarshapedstar:
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva engineer…
Well, I went for two years anyway. Then I realised my health and sanity was more important than me getting my degree from there*. But, coming from a family of Tech grads, the loyalty runs deep.
Although sad, the “UGAs” live a charmed life. Air conditioned dog house, bag of ice to lay on during the (clears throat) dog days of summer. What’s more sad is thinking about what the Jackets are gonna do to Georgia next week. It’s not as much fun winning when Georgia stinks.
Wait…I take that back, it’s always good to see the more arrogant of the Georgia fans with their tail between their legs.
* – Made a 3.8 the quarter I decided to transfer. Along with my Dean’s List certificate, I took an ulcer with me to a different school.
RareSanity
Didn’t mean for that last line to be bold…just put an asterisk in front of it…
Formatting shortcut, who knew?
tess
We’re all shocked here in Athens. I thought it was nice students wore black to the game for the dog. He’d had a full checkup Auburn weekend at the vet school, and there was no sign of any problem. It’s just that he’s a bulldog.
His father lived to be 12, I think, so there’s just no telling with bulldogs. The breed is delicate because of the AKC standard; UK standard bulldogs are a little heartier because they have longer snouts.
I saw an adorable bulldog puppy about 15 years ago with his owners on a trip to the pet store, and really looked into getting one. But they’re lives are so tenuous; I just don’t believe my heart could take it. And living in the south, it’s so hard to keep them comfortable and exercised. Someone with the Seiler family money probably doesn’t have a problem, but average people would.
Farewell, Uga VII.
Sam Hutcheson
If you had that close a view of Joe Cox’ game you’d keel over too.
kuvasz
http://grittree.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/lewis-grizzard-wednesday-auburn-edition/
RIP UGA
blondie
kuvasz- thanks for the Grizzard how appropriate. As a die hard Georgia fan, we were very upset by UGA VII’s death. On the other hand, at least he didn’t live to see Joe Cox help snap a 32 year win streak against Kentucky at home. God that was atrocious.
thanks for broadcasting the good thoughts John.
Blondie
Paul in KY
He got a fine sendoff Sat nite as my UK Wildcats won in Athens for 1st time since 1977!!!!
Their Senior Night too! Man, we are pretty happy right now in the Commonwealth. If we can somehow beat UT this Sat (haven’t beaten them since 1984), wow, there would be some serious partying in Kentucky. Go Cats!!!
flukebucket
Yeah. Most folks are assuming UGA VII committed suicide.