FOTOBALL: damn good dog

I fell in love at the University of Georgia fan event "Picture Day" in August of 2007. His name was Uga VI. He was about 2 feet tall, 60 lbs, and ugly as sin, but I loved him. The University of Georgia mascot, a solid white English Bulldog, is one of the most well known college mascots in the country. He even had a cameo in the 1997 movie, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” When I met him at the tail-end of a photo shoot with fans he was exhausted and ready to get the hell out of there.


VI rests after a two hour picture session with fans Saturday August 18, 2007, at the Georgia Fans' Picture Day at Sanford Stadium.


Uga VI waits by the door to leave after a two hour picture session with fans Saturday August 18, 2007, at the UGA Fans' Picture Day at Sanford Stadium.

I made a point at every game to get a photo of him. He was usually lounging on bags of ice in his doghouse on the sidelines of Sanford Stadium. His pre-game ritual usually consisted of him rolling lazily on the field as the Red Coat Band played, that is, when he wasn't barking vigorously or lunging at the end of his leash at anyone who happened to stroll by.


Uga VI barks in his doghouse on the sidelines of the Georgia game against Troy Saturday November 3, 2007 at Sanford Stadium.








Uga VI pulls on his leash on the field before the Bulldogs' game against Auburn Saturday November 10, 2007 at Sanford Stadium.


Uga VI takes in the sights at the Louisiana Superdome during the Allstate Sugar Bowl Tuesday Jan. 1, 2008, in New Orleans, LA.
I remember the summer Saturday he died of congestive heart failure vividly. I was sought out to find pictures of him because everyone knew I loved him and photographed him often. It took just minutes for me to compile enough pictures for a gallery as I had most of them at the ready on my desktop. That Monday I came in on my off day to photograph his memorial ceremony.


The vault of Uga VI is at Sanford Stadium.


A bulldog statue sits in front of the vaults containing all of the Uga mascots.


Sonny Seiler, owner of Uga VI, picks up Uga's jersey, leash, and collar after a memorial service held for the Georgia mascot Monday afternoon at Sanford Stadium. Uga VI passed away Friday night from congestive heart failure at his home in Savannah, Ga.


Uga VI's jersey, leash, and collar lay on top of his crate during a memorial service held for the Georgia mascot Monday, June 30, 2008, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.


Members of the Arch Society takes photos of Uga VI's vault with camera phones after the memorial service held for Georgia's mascot Monday, June 30, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.


The remains of Uga VI are held in his crate before being entombed in a vault at Sanford Stadium.

I was there when Uga VII was introduced the first game of the next season. He was young, a little nervous, and most of all dumb looking. I missed Uga VI. As the season progressed I slowly found myself falling in love with him too. He lacks the tenacity of Uga VI, but he is a friendly faced mascot with a very gentle spirit. I think with a little time he will be as beloved as Uga VI, well almost.


Uga VII is surrounded by photographers and videographers after being announced as the new Georgia mascot Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008.


Uga chills in his doghouse.


Uga VII poses with Georgia cheerleaders for pictures.


Uga VII shakes on the sidelines.




Georgia mascots Hairy Dawg pets Uga VII before the Bulldogs beat the Auburn Tigers 17-13 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Uga VI