Remembering Uga VI (1998-2008)

Shock. That's what I felt upon hearing the news of Uga VI's passing on the late news on Saturday, June 28.  I love dogs. When I hear a pet owner loses a family member, it hurts my heart. Why? Dogs are one of the very few creatures on planet that have the capacity to show honest sincerity. They cannot lie. You know when they are happy and when they are not. That's why it hurts so much for pet owners. I know when I make my dog Arielle happy. All you got to do is look for that tail to wag and the beaming smile that appears on their face. When that positive energy is gone forever, it can rip out your heart so I am dedicating this site for anyone who has ever lost a canine member of their family. My prayers are with Mr. Seiler's family and the Bulldog nation with the loss of Uga VI. 

In May 2006, I lost my yorksire terrier, Goldie, to lung cancer. My wife, Kerri Ann, and I had some warning but it was still hard. I can only imagine what Mr. Seiler must be going through. As a dog owner, I can identify with the saddness Mr. Seiler and the Bulldog Nation must be going through. For those of us who now or have had a dog to live with us know these animals are not just pets they are family.

As a college football fan, I feel like the sport has lost one of its greatest symbols. The last imagine I remember of Uga VI was at the 2007 Auburn-Georgia game wearing his black jersey. He was happy and loving the attention everyone was giving him on the field.

Rest in Peace Uga VI. You were a damn good dawg.

John Needham
Hoover, AL

June 28, 2008, 8:13 PM ET

ATHENS, Ga. -- (AP) Uga VI, the beloved University of Georgia mascot, has died from congestive heart failure at his home in Savannah.

The bulldog's owner, Frank Seiler, said he had the best winning record of any mascot in the school's history.

Seiler said he noticed the nine-year-old English Bulldog was breathing heavily Friday night. He passed away soon afterward.

Uga will be buried in a vault in the Southwest corner of Sanford Stadium with his predecessors. Private ceremonies are expected early next week.

Uga VI became UGA's mascot in 1999. He was the son of Uga V, the only college mascot to land on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans called it "a sad day for the entire Bulldog nation."

From SI.COM - Monday June 30, 2008 9:09PM; Updated: Monday June 30, 2008 9:26PM

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Uga VI, mascot for Georgia football teams that won six bowl games among 87 victories over a nine-year span, was interred at the university's football stadium on Monday in a mausoleum with the remains of five predecessors.

Uga VI died from heart failure Friday in his hometown of Savannah. The body of the English bulldog, whose registered name was Uga V's Whatchagot Loran, was flown to Athens along with his master's family in the university plane.

The body was carried inside Uga's kennel on the back of a golf cart across the field at Sanford Stadium on Monday afternoon accompanied by the song, "The Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation," which is played before Georgia football games.

"Uga VI takes over for legendary mascot" from ONLINE ATHENS . COM - Saturday, September 11, 1999

By Lee Shearer, Staff Writer

UGA VI at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Friday Sept. 3, 1999.

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We have all heard about people who died before their time. Health Ledger and James Dean are two legendary actors that come to my mind. UGA VII can be remembered in that way as well. "Loran's Best" died before completing his second year reign as the symbol of the University of Georgia. UGA VII passed away on the morning of Thursday, November 19th from an apparent heart attack.

The seventh in the UGA line of Georgia mascots was introduced to the Georgia Bulldog nation on Saturday, August 30, 2008, during pre-game ceremonies of the Bulldogs' season opener against Georgia Southern. The University of Georgia won that game 45-21.

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