Damn good dog:
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Uga VI, the latest in a long line of greatest mascots in the country, died this weekend of heart failure just one month shy of his 10th birthday. He was the winningest mascot in University of Georgia history. Having enjoyed a life of luxury hotel suites, climate-controlled dog houses, custom-fitted jerseys and formal wear (a tuxedo for high-class events), hobnobbing with great athletes and politicians, and performing for nearly 100,000 people each week, Uga will now be spending his time with that great big fire hydrant in the sky.
He served us well from 1999 to 2007, and though slightly more goofy than his famous predecessor Uga V, he will be remembered fondly, slobber and all. Uga VI will be laid to rest in a semi-private ceremony in a marble doggie mausoleum near the south grandstands of Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., alongside the five Ugas who came before him.
The identity of Uga’s successor is a closely guarded secret, but a decision has been made, according to Sonny Seiler, the Savannah lawyer whose family has raised the line of pure-bred English bulldogs that have performed mascot duties since 1956. Each Uga is a son of the Uga before him. Perhaps the most prominent Uga, Uga VI’s father Uga V appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1997, had a part in the movie production of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and found his way into Georgia lore forever by lunging from his sideline position to snap at an Auburn wide out during a 1996 game. I was lucky enough to meet both Uga V and Uga VI, briefly, on separate occasions. They both slobbered in my general direction through the slats of their little carrier crates as I was filing into the stadium. It was very touching.
Here are the career highlights of each Uga, and an Uga VI photo gallery.
Damn good dogs, all of them.
