Uga VII Dies

this is for my dogs, this is for my dogs

Some might consider Uga, the University of Georgia mascot, to be the most recognized figure in all of the state of Georgia, it still is the only mascot to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated all by itself like Uga V did in 1999. Uga has been petted by governors, senators, presidents and even foreign prime minsters so it’s sad to report that the Uga VII passed away suddenly Thursday morning at his home in Savannah.

At 4 years old, he was practically a pup and first served as Georgia’s mascot against Georgia Southern in August 2008, unexpectedly succumbed to heart problems.

To the Bulldog Nation, the Uga mascot is royalty, the lineage anointed to represent the University of Georgia. Uga VII, or “Uga VI’s Loran’s Best” as was his registered name, was latest in the 54-year line of mascots owned by the Seilers. To them, he was much more than an emblem.

“Mother woke up this morning and said she thought Uga didn’t feel too good,” said Swann Seiler, her voice quivering. “Daddy got up with him and he could tell something was wrong. We have a vet [Sonny Lester] that’s practically on-call just for Uga and he was there in five minutes. They took him to a [veterinary] hospital quick as they could but he didn’t make it.”

In fact, Seiler said Uga VII had just been given a clean bill of health from the UGA vet school a week earlier. Uga VII’s sudden passing leaves no time to find a replacement before Saturday’s home game against Kentucky. So the Bulldogs will have to play without a bulldog.

Uga VII, the biggest of the line at 56 1/2 pounds, compiled a record of 16-7 during his tenure, the shortest for any in the Uga line. The mascots are buried in a mausoleum built in the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium. Georgia is the only university in the nation to bury its mascots within the confines of its stadium.