UGA VIII Undergoing Lymphoma Treatment

The release from Karen Huff is as follows...

Uga VIII, the mascot for University of Georgia athletic teams, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. He is responding well to treatment, and the mascot is expected to continue appearances at athletic events as his health allows.

The dog missed the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30, 2010, because of a gastrointestinal condition that prevented him from traveling with the football team. Further diagnostic tests revealed the more serious medical condition.

Uga VIII, whose registered name is Big Bad Bruce, is being treated by specialists at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine; his primary veterinarian is his namesake, Dr. Bruce Hollett. Dr. Hollett has provided medical care for the Uga line for many years, said Sonny Seiler, Uga’s owner, in announcing this mascot during the 2010 football season.

Uga VIII is the great-great-great-great-great grandson of the original Uga. He was introduced to Georgia fans at the Oct. 16, 2010 Homecoming football game against Vanderbilt. Uga VIII was born Sept. 12, 2009. The Seilers, of Savannah, have provided mascots for UGA sporting events since 1956.

If Uga VIII is unable to appear at athletic events, Russ, the half-brother of Uga VII, will fill in for him. Russ filled in at the final two games of the 2009 season following the death of Uga VII as well as the first six games of 2010. He also was present at the Liberty Bowl game last month because of Uga VIII's illness.

From UGA their own selves... here's a look back at his first day on the job...
((HT: University of Georgia))


Here's to hoping the big fella gets well soon...

UGA VII Passes Away

According to published reports in the State of Georgia, one of the most widely known mascots in all of College Football, UGA (uh-guh)..or in this case UGA VII has passed away.

The all-white, English Bulldog has been the UGA of record for only a little more than a year. Reportedly, he passed away from a heart attack.

A backgrounder from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

((Your favorite writer with UGA VII//Courtesy: OSGSports Media, llc)

The UGA (uh-guh) tradition at Georgia dates back to the mid-50's and all the dogs, 1-7 have been bred and raised by the Seiler family. The Seiler's are big Georgia Football boosters and you would truly be amazed at the world they have created for the UGA (uh-guh) dogs.

Since this is still somewhat of a breaking story, we will have more on this later this evening.