My Raider Romp

Remember the Wright State Raider that was lurking near my cage yesterday? (See post below for visual.) Yeah, he got dealt with...

Here's hoping my fellow Bulldogs do likewise on Thursday evening (9 p.m. EST) at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

By the way, no actual Wright State Raiders were physically harmed in the making of this film. All harm was inflicted figuratively.

And yes, Wright State considers the "Raider" to be a wolf. I don't get it either. Perhaps the Wright State Mangy Dingos would be more descript. They actually changed from a red-bearded Viking to a wolf. The wolf is now known as "Rowdy Raider."

Here's a picture of WSU's current (middle) and former mascots...

I see why they switched from the crazy-eyed Viking. That thing is sure to scare all small children. I believe that to be what a suspect sketch artist would draw if you said the criminal resembled the off-spring off a Keebler Elf and one of Willy Wonka's Ump-Lumpas. (Sorry, that's the best I could come up with this close to bed time.)

Regardless, somewhere Wilbur, Orville and Ovid are sitting around a table, smoking pipes, wearing distinguished suits and asking each other who came up with "Bulldogs" and "Raiders."

Oh well, at least WSU's "guy in a suit" actually resemlbes their mascot...which is more than we can say for a certain school in Des Moines, Iowa. (For visual, see post below...again.)

Enough about the Raiders, let's just settle this on the court Thursday night.

In case you missed it, I was featured in Sports Illustrated.com's photo account from the Bulter/Drake game this past Saturday.

The picture taken by John Biever can be seen here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0802/campus.superfans.feb26/content.5.html

Also, mad props to A.J. Graves and Drew Streicher for being named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Men's Basketball Team, chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). The two Butler student-athletes were among 15 players chosen to the honor squad, and Butler was the lone university to have more than one player selected!

Nice work fellas...not only can you challenge opponents in a game of hoops, but you also can dominate in the occasional standardized test-off. Clearly old "Dawgs" can learn new tricks!

Blue II

Tread Lightly Young Raider

I hate to dwell too much on the men's basketball team, especially when there are so many other great student athletes on campus, not to mention so many other great students who don't even play a sport.

However, this time of year, it's inevitable...especially given the success of our team and the fact that their games are a big part of my life.

Well, the Butler men's squad took one on the chin against the Drake University Bulldogs on Saturday evening. It was Bulldogs versus Bulldogs in a dog fight that would make even the likes of Michael Vick blush. It was indeed a hard fought game and while Drake gave us all we wanted, perhaps it was our own mistakes that cost us the victory. Or maybe we had some help too. (Yeah, I said it.) You decide...

More game pictures by Brad Ward at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradjward/sets/72157603974817341/

Oh well, if we had to lose, I suppose there's no shame in losing to our own kind. I'd rather go down to a fellow Bulldog than some joke of a mascot.

Speaking of mascots, I almost had the last laugh against "Spike," the Drake Bulldog, on Saturday night. This embarrasing representation of the breed nearly left part of his leg in Hinkle Fieldhouse courtesy of my teeth! Hey what would you do if that deranged looking Eastern Grey squirrel came charging you and your mom in the stands?

Turns out he was just rallying his fellow Drake fans, but I thought he meant blood. Luckily my mom pulled me off just in time. Sorry Spike!

Congrats to Drake and good luck in the NCAA tournament.

Left dispirited from the loss, I can't help but consume myself with the thought of cleansing my palate from defeat's bitter taste. What's the best way to overcome defeat? Through victory, of course!

Next victim: The Wright State Raiders. Remember, they took us down by one point earlier in the season at their place. Combine our angst from Saturday with our loss to them earlier in the season and this could get ugly.

I even saw a Raider lurking around my den earlier this morning. I will share his fate with you later in the week.


The game is scheduled for this Thursday at 9 p.m. (EST) and will be aired on ESPNU. It's also Young Alumni Night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. I will be there and I hope you will be too!

After all, you just might end up on camera! That's right, Kelly of The Indianapolis Star will be following me around to shoot more video for my profile. She hung out with me around the office and at home on Friday afternoon and is coming back for some game footage on Thursday. The profile should be featured online sometime during the NCAA tournament, next month.

Well, as The Bangles once said, "it's just another manic monday," and I've got work to do...and so do you!

So have a great week and I'll report back soon.

Blue II

P.S. If you are a runner and are in the Indianapolis area, then you need to get yourself signed up for BUSF's 16th annual Bulldog Jog! Originally held during Homecoming weekend, will take place on Saturday, March 1 on the Butler campus. Proceeds from the 5K run/walk will benefit the Butler University Student Foundation Book Scholarship. Visit here for details to sign up: http://www.butler.edu/alumni/index.aspx?pg=4393

Cardboard Box Destruction

An Anonymous reader recently asked, "Blue II--Why do you hate/destroy cardboard boxes?"

First of all, I don't hate cardboard boxes, however, I have been known to destroy a few in my day.

I'm not really a destructive dog. I know what's mine and what isn't. I'm not one to chew up shoes or things around the house. I stick to my own toys and leave much of everything else alone.

Except for the cardboard box. When I see one, I can't help myself. It's just so much fun to just let my canine instincts run free for a bit and sink my teeth into that corrugated fiberboard.


I don't remember how that actually got started. I think just working in an office environment kind of led me to that routine. There's always plenty of boxes around and sometimes I feel the need to let out some aggression or draw some attention to myself, so it works.

Enough talk about it already...it's better if you can behold the wrath of destruction on video, so I've posted one below. I went ahead and used a "Drake University" box and pathetic stand-in of "Spike," the Drake Bulldog, for this rendention of box obliteration.

I used Drake in honor of Butler's game against them on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, as a part of ESPN's Bracketbuster Saturday. You could easily insert any other rival or opponent.

Also, no Drake Bulldogs were harmed in the making of this video, but a cardboard box most definitely was.

I hope you enjoyed the video. It was my pleasure to make for you, trust me!

Speaking of videos, my dad says I'm going to be the subject of an Indianapolis Star video profile very soon. Stay tuned for details on that!

Blue II

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

The weather forecasters in Indianapolis finally got a snow prediction correct this winter! And while it wasn't much, it was more than we've seen in a while, so I decided to make the most of the fresh snow.

On my way into the office (read Jordan Hall) my dad let me off the leash and I enjoyed a little frolic on the campus mall.

Below is a picture a and a video of the adventure...

As you can see in the video, I'm really into just eating the snow and rubbing my face in it. It's like one giant sno-cone. Just imagine if you could get a big jug of that flavoring syrup and coat all of that snow and then plop down and just eat it. Maybe I'm the only one that thinks of these things, but that would be soooooo gooooood! Granted, it would probably give you a pretty big stomach ache, but it would be worth it.

How do I know about sno-cones you ask? I go to Butler games...I get in on that action! Although, I think they call it a "shaved ice" in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Anyway, my morning snow adventures only left me craving more time outside so I met up with some students on the mall this afternoon for a snow ball fight. Unfortunately, some of the snow had evaporated by that point, but we still had fun. Below are some pictures by Brad Ward of the Office of Admission. Good shots, Brad!

Can you tell that I like the snow?! For more of Brad's pictures from today, click here: http://flickr.com/photos/bradjward/sets/72157603949018228/

Also, here's a video from our little snow ball fight...

That pretty much sums up my day, and the good news is, supposedly more snow is on the way! According to the our local weather forecasters more snow is expected after 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon in Indianapolis. Although, that is supposed to change to freezing rain at some point. That's been the case that last couple of storms and we haven't got but a dusting of snow, so I'm not holding my breath.

If it does snow and and we get a fresh layer on the ground, you can bet I'll be out eating my fair share of it!

Okay, well, I've got a Butler game to watch right now on the Horizon League Network so I'm going to sign off for now.

If you've yet to vote for me this week in the Bissell MVP contest, please take a second and vote... You can vote here: http://www.bissell.com/redirect.asp?page_id=47088&Pet=7217.jpg

Blue II

The Portrait: Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.) & Butler Blue II

photo by Brent Smith (Butler University)

Friends in High Places

Retired General and former Secretary of State, Colin Powell once said, "Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard."

Sounds like a good plan to me, after all, as the old saying goes, "you are the comapny you keep."

So, I did just that, I spent my Monday with some pretty significant and successful people...the type "who take their work seriously, but not themselves."

Maybe you will recognize some of the people I spent my day with yesterday...

That's right, I got to spend the day with THE Colin Powell; Butler head men's basketball coach, Brad Stevens; 2003 Butler graduate and IndyCar Series driver for Vision Racing, Ed Carpenter; the entire Butler men's basketball team; and Indianapolis mayor, Greg Ballard. That's just how I roll!

It started out as a typical Monday...lots of sleeping in the cage that's in m dad's office, a lunch time appearance at the HRC, and more sleeping for the afternoon. Settling into the work week after a busy weekend has never been one of my strengths.

Then, come late afternoon things started to get interesting. My dad and I headed to the car and made our way to my favorite building, historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Once there, we met up with Ed Carpenter and headed into the arena to watch the men's basketball practice.

You see, last May Ed gave A.J. Graves and the coaching staff a tour of the Vision Racing garages at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when A.J. waved the green flag to start practice for the Indianapolis 500 . This time the Bulldogs returned the favor by inviting Ed to come watch practice, tour the locker room and basketball offices, etc. I was fortunate to get to tag along.

Here's a picture of Ed and Coach Stevens discussing the intricacies of Butler's motion offense and which Horizon League member institution has the best cafeteria food. No, not really, but those would be things I would like to talk about with the coach.

After that it was over to Clowes Memorial Hall where General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) was scheduled to enjoy dinner with some VIPs and speak to a capacity crowd as a part of the Diversity Lecture Series.

That's where I ran into General Powell and Mayor Ballard, as well as some other Butler and community big whigs like university president, Dr. Bobby Fong, and the Butler Board of Trustees.

I even got to take a picture with General Powell! Unfortunately, I do not have the picture to post right now, but I will do so in a future blog. It was sweet. All of these important folks got to meet General Powell and get a picture with him. I'm pretty important, so yes, I got a picture with him as well.

When I arrived, he smiled, kneeled down, clapped his hands once and said, "come here boy!" So I quickly ran over (when a General calls, you come) and he proceeded to pet me and love on me a little. He then stayed in a kneeled position and we took a picture together. It was cool.

Here I am, just an English Bulldog from Indiana who ended up mascot of Butler University posing for a picture with the one-time military leader of the free world. Eat your heart out "Spike," the Drake University bulldog!

Yeah, we've got a big game against No. 16 Drake on Saturday at Hinkle, so I am starting to prepared for that. It airs on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. (EST) and has been billed the best ESPN "Bracketbuster" matchup ever...of course it is, after all, both teams are represented by the English Bulldog! By the way, the Bulldogs of Butler are ranked a school-high No. 8 this week in both polls. That's pretty impressive! Go Dawgs!

Today, wasn't quite as exciting, but that's not to say I didn't get to have a little more fun. Each semester, my dad's favorite professor while in school, Dr. Steven Vibbert, invites me to come visit his public relations classes. He usually asks me to come mid to late semester when the students are starting to get restless. So today I stopped by class, did my tricks, and got a little love from the students. Below is a picture of that...

Note that class size. That's a student to teacher ratio of 16:1. Nice. Gotta love a Butler eduation! Although, it's not quite as good as my puppy class, but still, it's pretty good.

Okay, my bed time is quickly approaching so I've got to get going. Thanks for reading and before you leave, please vote for me again this week for the Bissell MVP contest! You can vote here: http://www.bissell.com/redirect.asp?page_id=47088&Pet=7217.jpg

Blue II

Game Day Illustrated

The Butler Bulldogs took down Horizon League conference foe, Cleveland State, on Saturday afternoon by the score of 51-46. It appeared that a lot of you took my advice and came to Hinkle Fieldhouse for the game. There was a crowd of more than 8,000, which included those participating in Alumni Day, so thanks for coming out.

I thought I might provide a quick recap of the game via pictures and captions. Here it goes...

Pre-game nap with my squeaky cow

Packed house for Alumni Day

Coach Stevens speaks at Alumni Day

I ran into my buddy, Julian Phillips, son of my vet, Dr. Phillips, at Alumni Day too.

After my appearances in the West Gym for Alumni Day and Bulldog Club/OBS Donor Hospitality, I went ahead and made my way over to see the cheerleaders to give them a little pre-game pep talk.

After that, it was game time where I do my usual starting lineup routine, and stop by the Dawg Pound for the big bone. But you've all seen that before, so here's a shot during a break in the game...nothing better than a big crowd at Hinkle Fieldhouse on a Saturday afternoon with the sun shining through the rafters.

Best seat in the house!

A little post-game fun on the court with the kids

After all of that, it's back home to rest...and another day at the office is in the books for this dog.

Okay, so there's a lot of other stuff that goes on that wasn't captured, but these were the pics that my dad had time to snap, so they'll have to do. I hope you enjoyed it.

Blue II

P.S. Keep an eye on those NCAA men's basketball rankings on Monday. In the AP Poll, Butler is ranked 9th. On Saturday, No. 7 Stanford, No. 8 Georgetown and No. 10 Michigan State all went down in defeat. We could see a new highest ranking for the Butler men's basketball program...stay tuned!

A Purple Valentine's Day

Well, another Valentine's Day has come and gone, but I must say, I think this has been the best Valentine's Day I've exeperienced in my young life. After all, the Butler Bulldogs defeated the Penguins of Youngstown State at Hinkle Fieldhouse last night to the tune of 89-73. A Butler game sounds like a perfect date to me!

However, it wasn't just the game, but what went on at the game that made this a great V-Day...and it all revolved around the color purple.

Of course, I know that the traditional Valentines colors are red and pink, but we took those colors, added a little Butler blue and made purple the color of the day in honor of Relay for Life's "Kiss Cancer Goodbye" campaign, which is intended to raise cancer awareness amongst the Butler community, as well as bring in funds for the American Cancer Society.

Purple shirts were sold, the students participated in events, and the "day of love" took even more meaning: fighting the cancer that affects the ones we love. I even did my part and wore a shirt to support the cause. That's me and one of my HRC buddies, Hannah Muehlbauer, sporting our purple.


Other than that, it was a standard V-Day. My dad served my mom breakfast in bed (Frosted Flakes) while I slept. Then I woke up to give mom her gift...a bulldog picture frame with dad and I in it, for her desk at work. I got it for her because she can't take me to work everyday like dad gets to, so I wanted her to have something to remember me by when she's there.

She's a physical therapist at St. Vincent's Hospital, which means she's rarely at her desk, but it's the thought that counts. Having a mom as a physical therapist is good, because sometimes those massage techniques she learned in school work their way into my backside.

I didnt' get my dad anything, because who gets their dad stuff on V-Day? It's pretty much Mother's Day part 2.

Other than that, it was business as usual for the day. Eat, sleep, bark, growl, yawn, back to sleep, then off to the basketball game.

Today, it's pretty much all rest for me so I can gear back up for tomorrow's game versus Cleveland State as well as the annual Alumni Day festivities. I can't wait...I love game days!

I hope to see you in Hinkle Fieldhouse for the big game tomorrow!

Much Love,

Blue II

P.S. The Bulldogs of Butler University send their prayers and support to the students, faculty, staff and members of the Northern Illinois University community.

all SHOW, no DOG

In the wake of the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (aired on the USA Network) which wrapped up last evening in Madison Square Garden, I received a couple of comments as to why I haven't registered my AKC number for competition.

Personally, I didn’t watch much of the dog show given that the Bulldogs played last night up at Milwaukee as well, but I did catch some of it. But anyway, to speak to those comments, I originally had hopes to compete in the show ring and even pass along my genes to younger kin, but it wasn’t meant to be, I guess.

In a nutshell, it is my understanding that the criteria in which these dogs are judged includes their natural/pure representation of the breed as well as their ability to "mate" with fellow purebreds, thus transferring those great traits to offspring.

I think I do a fair job of representing the breed, acting somewhat obedient, etc. It’s a technicality with the sexual reproduction part that’s got me ineligible to compete.

In addition to serving as Butler’s mascot, there was a desire to make a show dog out of me as well as allow me to sire a litter or two. However, a few months after I was born, it was found that I had a condition known as cryptorchid…look it up and draw your own conclusion. As a result, my hopes of going pro were dashed by a couple of snips. (wimper)

Hindsight is 20/20, but it wound’t have worked out anyway given the eye surgeries to fix a couple conditions known as entropion and distichia. (A special thanks to Dr. Deborah Stephan of Indiana Veterinarian Specialists for taking care of that for me!) Once you get a little plastic surgery done, you’re out of the competition as well.

That’s okay, we all know what I was born to do and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. They can aspire to win some ribbons and I’ll see if I can’t get my paws on some NCAA hardware!

Besides, did you know that a show dog trying to make it to the top travels the country doing up to 150 shows per year! That's hardly a dogs life!

But back to the dog show…had I competed, would have been in the Non-Sporting group coming out of the Bulldog breed. This year’s bulldog bred winner was Ch. Cherokee Legend Rock.

Good looking bully. I’m no stranger to the Cherokee Legends. In fact, my great grand-father via my mother’s mother, was a Cherokee Legend. Cherokee Legend Mouser Bill to be exact.

You can learn more about the Cherokee Legends here:

http://www.cherokeebulldogs.com/

http://www.legendbulldogs.com/

I am a product of Frank and Jeane King’s Kong King Kennel in Lizton, Ind., and in my family tree I have eight champions.

Now you know where I got my stunning looks!

At any rate, in this year’s WKC Dog Show, the winner out of the Non-Sporting was some poodle. Look at that thing! It looks more like a manicured shrub than a dog. The Bulldog was second within the group.

Best in Show was the Beagle named “Uno” who turned out to be a real crowd pleaser. Uno made history last night, becoming the first of his breed to win the event. Big deal, you might be Best in Show, but as Elvis once sang, “you ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog.”

Oh well, for all of us wannabes and has-beens, there’s always the annual Bulldog Beauty Contest at Homecoming. See you there!

Blue II

P.S. Voting Period 6 is now open in the BISSELL Most Valuable Pet Contest. Please be sure to vote for me again this week and get me on that vacuum box!

To vote for me, click on this link:
http://www.bissell.com/redirect.asp?page_id=47081&Pet=4757

Weekend Recap & Those Rankings

My apologies for not posting since last Thursday, but I must say, I had a great weekend...no time to post!

Friday evening after work, my mom and dad packed my blanket, my toys, and my food and we headed north to Wabash, Ind. (the first electrically lighted city) to stay the night at my Grandma and Grandpa Richards. We also got to see my Aunt Tonia, Aunt Teresa, Uncle Scott and my cousins Andrew and Alex.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to go visit my Grandma and Grandpa Kaltenmark in Wabash, though. They were in Ohio babysitting my cousin Ella and her doggies, Murphy and Bailey.

I always enjoy seeing family and I love going to my grandparents' house! We only stayed the night, but I got some good food, some good play time and caught up on some sleep too.

On Saturday afternoon we headed back to Indy so that my parents could get back in time to head to Chumley's to watch the Butler/Wisc. Green Bay game on the Horizon League Network. I don't understand why I had to stay home...I am the mascot for crying outloud!

My parents made it up to me and took me out to get a new bed, a new toy and the FURminator.

I know what you're thinking, "what the heck is the FURminator?" Well, it's a special deshedding tool. Whatever it is, I just like how it feels when they use it on me and my parents say it works really well, so everybody is happy.

My new bed is for the family room as I already have a nice bed in the living room. We used to watch TV and hang out as a family in the living room, but a couple of weeks ago my parents got a new TV for the family room so that's been the new hang out at home. Only, I protested the change by camping out by myself in the living room on my old bed (pictured).

So I think they felt obligated to get me another bed for the family room. Still with me? Anyway, the new bed (pictured) is cool and I like it. Now I am comfortable no matter what room we decide to reside.

Spoiled much? Yes. Happy dog? Absolutely!

As for the new toy, it's a latex cow looking thing. I can't get enough of it. I even took it to bed last night. I mainly enjoy squeaking it until my parents can't take it anymore. I love it.

So that was my weekend. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Today was just another day in the office...lots of naps, some play time, couple trips to the HRC with my dad, and some visits from students.

There was some additional excitement around the office with the new NCAA men's basketball rankings coming out. The Butler Bulldogs moved up again in the standings this week coming in No. 9 in the Associated Press poll and No. 10 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll.

I know technically the rankings do not mean anything, but they speak volumes. The 9th place ranking is the highest ever for Butler and not only that, but we are ahead of three in-state rivals: IU (12th), Notre Dame (18th) and Purdue (23rd).

That's mighty Butler with just 3,900 undergraduate students in the top-10! Go Dawgs!

That puts me in some pretty elite company including Smoky the Volunteer, Jack the Bulldog (Hoya), Pouncer the Tiger, and Joe Bruin...just to name a few.

The name is Butler Blue II, boys, and the Bulldogs are playing for keeps. See ya next month!

Blue II

Front Page News...and second, and third pages too

This week's issue of The Butler Collegian, Est. 1886 (Vol. 122, Issue 16) has arrived on campus and just by looking at it, you would think it was the National Enquirer and I was Britney Spears!

I mean, I was all over that thing. You can find a nice color picture of me on the front page, along with large pictures of me on pages two AND three! Not to mention, there's an article about me and the blog on page two by Butler student and managing editor, Bob Hermon. The headline reads, "Butler Blue II rolls onto Internet with new blog." Nice!

Props to The Butler Collegian staff for the article and the face time. I suppose it's fitting that I am a staple in the school/student newspaper. Not just because I am the mascot, but it is The Collegian, after all, that is essentially responsible for me being here. Well, in a round-about sort of way.

According to http://www.butlersports.com/ and the university archives, prior to 1919, Butler's athletic teams were known as the "Christians". But numerous losses in the 1919 football season caused Butler's followers to grow weary of the nickname. During the week leading up to Butler's game with the heated rival Franklin "Baptists", Butler Collegian editor Alex Cavins and his staff, which included cartoonist George Dickson, decided something "hot" must be conceived for the school's weekly pep session.

About that time, the mascot of a Butler fraternity..... a bulldog named Shimmy (you couldn't shake him), wandered into the Collegian office. The idea was born. The next school paper came out with a big page-one cartoon showing Shimmy the bulldog, labeled "Butler", taking a bite out of the pants seat of a figure labeled John the Baptist. The caption was: "Bring on That Platter, Salome!" (Butler lost the game to Franklin, 14-0, but the name "Bulldogs stuck).

And what do ya know? It's another Paul Harvey (pictured) moment on the The Life and Times of Butler Blue II..."and know you know.......(long pause).......the rest of the story."

By the way, I'm guessing it's never good to reference a bulldog eating the head of a prominent Biblical figure served on a platter by the person who is considered to be responsible for that revered person's death. Uh, I'm guessing that's why we lost the game. Something to keep in mind, Collegian editors...let's stay away from the negative Biblical references come March...okay?

Anyway, back to the article...Dawg Pound president and senior, Loren Snyder was quoted in the story. He said about my blog, "It's pretty entertaining sometimes. It's just funny to imagine Blue II saying those things."

Oh yeah, Loren?! What's so funny? Next time I see you, I'll say them to your face! Then we'll see who's laughing! (just kidding)

Loren went on to ask, "What does Blue plan on doing with that huge bone every time he takes it off the court?"

That information is confidential and top secret. So much so that I don't know what I'm going to do with it. It's a big bone. It looks cool. I want it. It's kind of like going to the Dollar Store and walking out with stuff you'll never use or need. It was a dollar and it looked cool. 'Nuff said.

Finally, Loren says that his daughter and English Bulldog, Bella, has become "less demanding" since our first date and that he'd like for us to give it another shot. We'll see, Loren. We'll see.

Wow, look at the time! I had better get to my afternoon nap.

Until next time...

Blue II

Uncle Ovid Wants You...

…to vote for me!

While you’re online voting for Mike Green for the Bob Cousy Award, direct that index finger to make another couple of clicks to vote for yours truly.

That’s right, after watching Meaty of MTV's Rob & Big fame land his mug on Dick Van Patten’s brand of dog food on season three, episode four (“Meaty Goes to Hollywood”), I figured, why can’t I break into the product endorsement scene?

Enter Bissell’s MVP competition. You know?! The vacuum company. Anyway, they are having this contest where people can enter their pets to be featured on the box of their new Pet Hair Eraser vacuum package. I just went ahead and logged on and entered myself.

The contest winners are selected through online voting, so Uncle Ovid (Ovid Butler (pictured) wants you to get out and vote for me! Click here to view my submission and to vote.

You know I am looking good and should be on that vacuum box! You see my face on a vacuum box and you know right away the thing is good. People be in the store looking at vacuums and then see my face and be like…

Dude: Hey honey, let’s get this one!
Lady: Why, you know something about Bissell?
Dude: No, but it’s got this cool bulldog on it…it has to suck!

(and by suck, I mean in a good way, because that’s what vacuums do…they suck, literally)

Lady: Okay, if you think that’s the best one then get it.

Sold. Everybody wins. What’s not to like about that?

You could put my face on brochure selling ocean front property in Arizona and it would sell. That’s not cocky, it’s just cute.

Okay, there was maybe just a little bit of trash talk in all of that, but still. If my ability to use this face to score treats is any indication, then get me on the gravy train of endorsements…be bringing in checks so big it would make Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and Michael Jordan look like chump change.

Hey, a dog can dream can’t he?

Regardless, get out there on the world wide web and vote for me and Mike Green; a couple of Bulldogs who need your support!

Enough about that, you get the idea. I've got a couple "day in the life" updates for everybody as yesterday was a busy day.

I had two appearances to make yesterday. One was for the annual Grad Finale where seniors go and to the Reilly Room on campus to get their cap and gown, graduation tickets, make a gift to the senior class fund, etc. That was cool. It's always bittersweet to go to the event b/c I know that I'm not going to get to see that group of students very much anymore, but I'm happy to know that they will soon enter society and represent Butler well.

At the same time, I had to stop in over at an event put on by some business students who created their own business plan, secured the funding, and started the business; all for a class project! They had the unveiling of their product yesterday which essentially, in a nutshell, is a photo booth. The business is called Strike a Pose and their website is located at http://www.strikeaposeindy.com/. Check it out.

After all of that, it was off to home where we cheered the Bulldogs on to victory over the Valpo Crusaiders 71-68 in a thriller of a game! Although, I had to sit out part of the game in my cage when the storms rolled through town. I'm not a huge fan of thunder and lighting.

In all, it was a successful day. Living the dream, baby!

Now go vote already!

Blue II

P.S. Be sure to watch all five clips from that episode of Rob & Big which can be viewed online here: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1580197&vid=206200 If you don’t laugh, see a doctor immediately.