Bulldog nation was shocked this week when news spread that beloved mascot Loran's Best (Uga VII) only 4 years old passed away of heart failure Thursday morning. He was about to wrap up his second season after being introduced at the Bulldog's first home game last year. His predecessor and father Uga VI died of congestive heart failure the summer before. His absence was greatly felt Saturday at the Bulldogs' last home game of the season against the Kentucky Wildcats. Who knows maybe if he was around they wouldn't have suffered the shocking loss. I can't believe in my brief time covering Georgia I've gotten to know two Ugas and been there to document the death of both. Being a huge dog person and having had a love for Bulldogs since childhood I found myself attached to the drooly mascots. During the Kentucky game a man asked me about a play that had just happened and I looked to find Sonny Seiler, the owner of all of the Ugas, standing next to me on the sidelines. Behind us was Uga's empty doghouse adorned with a wreath. It hit me that this man had just lost a beloved family pet and how strange it must be to have a whole stadium worth of people share that loss.
Look back at Uga VI's memorial service and Uga VII's introduction here.
Georgia fans honor the late Uga VII (Loran's Best) with "RIP Loran's Best" painted on their backs before the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.
A wreath was placed on the doghouse of the late Georgia mascot Uga VII who died suddenly Thursday morning at his home in Savannah.
A picture of the late Uga VII and a wreath adorn his doghouse during the Bulldogs' game against the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.
A Georgia Cheerleader takes photos of Uga VII before the Bulldogs' 45-19 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday Oct. 10, 2009, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Uga VII, Loran's Best, chills on the sidelines after being introduced as Georgia's new mascot at Sanford Stadium before the Georgia Bulldogs played Georgia Southern in 2008.
Georgia mascots Uga VII and Hairy Dawg lounge on the field before the Bulldogs SEC matchup with LSU Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
Uga VII looks on during the runout before the Bulldogs beat the Auburn Tigers 17-13 Saturday November 15, 2008, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL.
I had one of the coolest assignments I've had all year this week. I spent a misty Wednesday night with Barrow County and Winder firefighters as they trained to battle propane fires. Capt. Bryan Bullock offered me the chance to suit up and get as close as I wanted. I opted to keep my distance considering they don't make fire helmets for D300s. I still got close enough to feel the heat and to make some beautiful frames. Fire is just so dang gorgeous.
Barrow County and Winder firefighters train to battle propane fires during a session offered by the Georgia Fire Academy Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009. The training took place at Winder Fire Station No. 2 with propane donated by Amerigas, Vigas and Gas Inc.
The Jefferson Dragons went undefeated in regular season play for the second straight year. They made it past the first round of the state playoffs last week, but a season's worth of blood, sweat, and tears all came to an end tonight along with the Dragons' championship dreams. The defending Class AA state champions the Buford Wolves jumped out ahead early and never gave up their lead winning 30-22. There was a moment though when it could have all been different. With 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter Jefferson quarterback Darius Minor connected with J.J. Damons on a 50-yard touchdown pass followed by an onside kick recovered by the Dragons. They drove down inside the 25-yard line, but a fumbled handoff recovered by the Wolves ended it all. They wouldn't get the ball back until there were just 7 ticks on the clock. Around that time I started looking for emotion on the sidelines. After the game I tried to find moments between some of the players, but as usual in those situations felt like I was intruding so hung back a little. Then I saw the two stars of the team Darius Minor and Lucas Redd walking away consoling each other. It was Minor's handoff to Redd that was fumbled late in the 4th, extinguishing all hope for the Dragons. These two seniors were the backbone of their team and in an instant it was the end of the road for their high school football days.
The Jefferson Dragons take the field before their 30-22 loss to the defending state champions the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.
Jefferson' QB Darius Minor is converged on by Buford defenders in the first half.
Buford's Andrew Swope is called for pass interference after jumping on Hoytes Damons in the first half.
Buford's C.J. Moore breaks up a pass intended for Jefferson's J.J. Damons in the first half.
Jefferson's J.J. Damons takes a hit from Bufords' Jessel Curry in the first half.
Buford's Jessel Curry hauls in a pass that he returned for a touchdown in the first half.
Buford's Jessel Curry, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first half.
Buford's Eric Barr reacts after bursting into the endzone for a 2nd quarter touchdown in the Buford Wolves 17-14 halftime lead.
Jefferson QB Darius Minor runs through a tackle.
Jefferson's Tyler Porter catches a touchdown pass with coverage by Buford's Paris Head in the last 8 seconds of the Buford Wolves 17-14 halftime lead.
Jefferson's Tyler Porter celebrates after catching a touchdown pass.
Jefferson's Caleb Meek gets a piece of Jamal English's jersey in the first half.
Jefferson's Hoytes Damons tries to stop Buford's Jessel Curry from scoring a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
Jefferson's J.J. Damons returns an interception in the 3rd quarter.
Buford's Sherman Page runs the ball.
Buford's Seon Jones lunges for a touchdown but takes his team to the 1-yard line in the second half.
Jefferson's Zach Allen returns a kickoff in the 3rd quarter.
Jefferson's J.J. Damons catches a pass for a touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Jefferson's J.J. Damons, left, and Sky Porter celebrate Damons' touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Buford's Sherman Page catches a pass on the 3-yard line with coverage by Jefferson's Caleb Meek.
Jefferson QB Darius Minor stands on the sidelines after a Dragon fumble was recovered by the Wolves late in the 4th quarter.
Jefferson's J.J. Damons gets up after being tackled after the Dragons' final kickoff return in the final seconds of the 4th quarter.
Jefferson's Zach Allen walks the sidelines in the final minutes of the Dragons' 30-22 loss to the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.
Jefferson's Hoytes Damons sits on the sidelines in the final minutes of the 4th quarter.
A Buford Wolf raises his helmet after their victory over Jefferson.
Jefferson QB Darius Minor, left, and Lucas Redd console each other after the Dragons' 30-22 loss to the Buford Wolves in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs Friday Nov. 20, 2009, at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.
I had 40 minutes to think about what I wanted to do for my sportrait of Jefferson star quarterback Darius Minor as I drove to the assignment. I used every second of that time planning out all the details down to the expression I hoped to capture. When I arrived and stepped out of my car it took less than a minute for me to completely nix the whole thing. A big beautiful mud puddle stood before me positioned perfectly with the stadium stands and the sun behind. Before I knew it I was on my hands and knees in an inch of muddy water to get the angle I needed for the shot. I'm sure Darius thought I was insane, but as I told him "anything for a picture."
Tonight my schedule was free so I took in a half ofGeorgia men's hoops. Such a strange thing being back indoors shooting sports in a climate controlled environment. It was nice. Although I had forgotten how uncomfortable it gets sitting indian-style on those hardwoods. Some photographers have these fancy little cushion chairs that sit right on the ground. I need to invest in one of those this season. Turns out I didn't miss much leaving at the half. Georgia lost 57-60 to the Wofford Terriers, a team they should have beaten. Really that is no surprise though. The men's basketball program has struggled year after year. They have a brand new coach this season, but currently its the same old thing. When it comes to basketball, I truly don't care if they win or lose. I just enjoy the available parks, surplus of spots for photographers on the floor, and hoopla-less coverage in general. It is a breeze covering these games in comparison to getting to football games 3 hours early, fighting crowded sidelines, and those high-pressure situations.The downside is that it just isn't that exciting, but sometimes easy beats exciting.
Georgia's Travis Leslie puts up 2-points with Wofford's Noah Dahlman defending in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Albert Jackson snatches a rebound in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Travis Leslie, left, and Wofford's Noah Dahlman (42) and Nathan Parker (2) go up for a rebound in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Drazen Zlovaric looks to pass around Wofford's Kevin Glitner in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Wofford's Noah Dahlman releases a shot in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia coach Mark Fox watches the Bulldogs play the Wofford Terriers in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Jeremy Price makes a shot over Wofford defenders in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Dustin Ware scrambles for a loose ball with Wofford's Kevin Giltner in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Wofford's Brad Loesing drives past Georgia's Ebuka Anyaorah in the final seconds of the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Trey Thompkins shoots over Wofford's Nathan Parker in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Ricky McPhee wrestles for the ball with Wofford's Jamar Diggs in the first half Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, at Stegeman Coliseum.
I am a freelance photojournalist in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Previously I was a staff photographer for the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. and the Times-Georgian in Carrollton, Ga.
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