Butler Blue II is the official mascot of Butler University. Born 3/27/2004, this 60 lb. English Bulldog is enjoying his 6th year as mascot of the Indy-based, 4,000 student, liberal arts institution. His blog is a look into his world as well as an account of his adventures as retold by his parents, Michael and Tiffany Kaltenmark. While his blog wasn't created until Jan. 2008, Blue has actually been on the job since May 2004, thus Blue will be looking back as well as looking ahead. Enjoy the read!
I titled this post, "Two for Tuesday," but really, it's two for the work week! Yep, I'm batting 1000 when it comes to getting my name in print this week.
On Monday it was the CASE Currents Magazine that my dad gets at work. There they chronicled my (and the university's) "publicity boon" as a result of the stolen bulldog mascot costumes.
The best I could do was a scanned copy of the article in two seperate files. You probably can't even read them. I'll summarize...then university employee Brad Ward had a great idea to create a video of me searching for the missing bulldog mascot costumes, put it online and hope it goes viral. Some 13,000+ video views and a ton of publicity later, the plan worked. Sorry, that's the best I could do. Deal with it and enjoy...
How about a new movie to start this post? That should serve as a nice little attention-getter.
The video below is of me, just after the introduction of the Butler Bulldog starters as I make my way across the court to retrieve my over-sized rawhide bone from the Dawg Pound. This video was shot on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 by Damon Lewis of the Horizon League, prior to the Butler/University of Illinois-Chicago men’s basketball game. Thanks for the video Damon!
As far as basketball goes, the rest of the week wasn’t so kind to the Butler Bulldogs…the men’s squad anyway. Since this game in which that video was taken, the Dawgs dropped two straight…something they haven’t done in 111 games. That’s downright stinks and unfortunately, my gastrointestinal system has matched their play.
You may remember an entry last year in which I posted a story about the bulldog being the gassiest of all dog breeds. Yeah, I lived up to that this week. I wouldn’t say that I’m proud of it, but to have such a strong smell come out of such a small being was kind of impressive.
The culprit of the flatulence was the consumption of unauthorized substances. In other words, I was eating something other than my dog food.
I’m on a strict diet of Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Formula made by Eagle Pack Pet Food, Inc. It treats me well. I have a nice smooth, soft and shiny coat, I am no longer affected much by seasonal allergies and I digest it well. When I deviate from my regular dog food, then you’re most certain to smell it.
Where/how would I consume such things other than my regular dog food, you ask? The office. Think about it. I work with a lot of people. These people are always bringing in food, throwing parties, eating at their desks, etc. These people also can’t say no to the pouty puppy face. Finally, these people don’t have to go home with me a night. That’s a perfect recipe for methane gas.
So my dad had to send yet another “don’t feed the dog” email out to his colleagues this week. In one email and just a few strokes of the keyboard, my dad has completely put the kibosh on my office culinary delight. Bummer.
Of course, now it’s just a big joke and I’m the “butt” (pun sort of intended) of these jokes. The office colleagues are suggesting my dad hang up signs outside his office like you’d find at a national park about not feeding the wild animals. They also came up with a t-shirt design for him. I’ve included it below. Note, I’m not laughing.
So the bad news is I no longer eat like a king. The good news, I no longer have a constantly upset stomach, indigestion and of course, bad gas. I suppose the positives out-weigh the negatives, but it’s been a tough lesson to learn.
Before I sign off, I’ve got to give some blog love to those sending love my way on Valentine’s Day. First, special thanks yet again to Leslie Bishop for the special Valentine’s Day bulldog card that she sent to the office! And, this time a special thanks also goes to Hiram Schilling for the card and treats and to Linda Cooley for the great new toys! It’s good to be me!
Here’s to hoping the Bulldogs regroup and come away victorious on Saturday (Feb. 21) at noon on ESPN versus Davidson in the BracketBuster and to a flatulence free weekend!
Well, another Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has come and gone, the 133rd to be exact, and we’ve got another stunner taking the “Top Dog” spot this year. Last year it was the Beagle (named Uno), this year it is a 10-year old Sussex Spaniel named Stump.
All that aside, I’m still waiting for the English Bulldog to bust out of the Non-Sporting ranks and take the top prize. People will be saying, “Uno and Stump who?” An English Bulldog with the silver cup will blow peoples’ minds!
I’d do it, but there was a certain procedure that my good vet, Dr. Kurt Phillips performed on me back in the day that has since disqualified me from competition. Remember, these sorts of shows are judged upon “breedability” and the best dog to pass along his/her defining breed characteristics. I think you get the idea now as to why I cannot participate.
A-hem, anyway, as I was saying, I would be happy to capture the crown for the English Bulldog, but it wasn’t meant to be. So some bully, somewhere, is going to need to get their A-game together and make it happen. Personally, I think it’s only a matter of time. Our recent climb into the AKC’s Top-10 breeds over the last two years has us prime to make a stand at Westminster in the near future. When it happens, you can just remember that I told you so!
In a non-related story, I finally visited those “comment-leaving” HRC life guards this morning down at the HRC pool. My dad had to teach Boot Camp this morning, so that means a 5:30 a.m. wakeup call for this tired pooch and an early trip to campus. My reward was a trek down to the pool to pay the life guards a visit. I think they loved it! After all, they’ve been clamoring for it over the last two semesters!
Thankfully, I did not jump in the pool, so my dad says that I can come back and visit again. It was tempting, but I was good boy and refrained. That water sure did look refreshing, up until the point I remembered that I sink like a rock in water.
Finally today, I leave you with the promised pictures from my most recent photo shoot. You know the ones I mentioned in my last post regarding the recycling shoot and my new Nike jersey shoot. I’ve included some below (photos by Brent Smith), but for the rest, head to the album on my Facebook fan page, located here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59617&id=23981937738&l=bbed4
I wish everyone nothing but the best on Valentine’s Day! If you haven’t got a special someone to share it with, then I’ll be your “Valentine!” Oh, that reminds me, I must send a special thanks to Leslie Bishop for sending me a Valentine’s Day card! It’s so nice to be loved! Thanks Leslie!
Since my last post, snow has given way to mud (much to the chagrin of my parents), but before all of that wet white stuff could dissipate from the campus scenery, university photographer Brent Smith and I were able to get out and capture it all. Below are some photos and a video from that little venture.
By the way, I do have my own Facebook fan page, and if you’re on Facebook and not a fan, then what are you waiting for? As of Feb. 8, 2009, I have 205 fans on Facebook. Trust me, if those 205 people are wrong, then they don’t want to be right. So make sure you join them and become a Blue II Facebook fan today!
Now, back to the photo shoot…that wasn’t the only photo shoot I’ve participated in since my last post. Just this past Friday I headed across campus and over to Brent’s studio to do a pose for a little something called Recyclemania and to get a few snap photos of me in my new custom Nike jersey.
Once those photos are available, I’ll be sure to post them. Until then, you’ll just have to make due with my dad’s amateur photography of me and my new uniform.
Again, special thanks to Nike for supplying the material and to the Tom James Company for putting it together. Luckily Nike sent enough material to make another one, so I may just be able to get two in the rotation.
Needless to say, I’m pretty pumped about the jersey. Once I get it on, I feel invincible! A real Super Dog! I just can’t help but get on a healthy strut in that thing. Just wait until you catch me at the next basketball game…you’ll see.
Speaking of jersey, one of my colleagues at Butler has a nice half yellow lab, half sharpei mix puppy named Jersey and fortunately me, she’s brought her in to work a couple of times to play. I’m completely enamored with Jersey and ever since our time together, I like to stop by her mom’s office on a regular basis just to see if she is there. Come back, Jersey! I miss you!
Anyway, here’s a video of our time together…
In case you missed it, last week’s news featured a story about the sentencing of the four boys guilty of stealing and damaging “Hink,” the Butler Bulldog mascot costume. Here’s the Indy Star report in case you missed it: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902040377
Basically, those guys avoided jail time, got a year of probation, some community service and a hefty bill. Butler received two new mascot costumes and a ton of publicity. So, thanks? It’s funny how things work out sometimes.
Moving on, let’s take a look into the mailbag since our last post…
First, I’d like to give a shout-out to the morning lifeguards at the HRC! Much love. Now, lets take a look at the question posted by “Ben & Molly” who wrote…
I did catch you on ESPN's SC. Big time. So I've been wondering, I attended my first women's game last week (Valpo) and as it turns out was sitting next to your parents. So I wanted to know, every time you go out on to the court for men's introductions you can't wait to run over and grab that big rawhide bone from the Dawg Pound, do you get disappointed in the fact there is no bone waiting for you at the girls games?
Good question and observation, Ben & Molly. And yes, when the player introductions have concluded at the women’s games, I want nothing more than to run across the court and retrieve my bone. As you noticed, however, there’s no bone at those game to retrieve. Of course, I’m a creature of habit, so I start heading in that direction any way and literally make my dad drag me off the court by the way we came…biting my leash and digging in my claws the entire way!
But bone or no bone, it’s good to be a Butler Bulldog right now. The men are currently 21-2, notching their 11th 20-win season in 13 seasons and giving head coach Brad Stevens 51 wins and counting with just six losses. They are still ranked in the top-25 and sit atop the Horizon League standings. Meanwhile the Lady Bulldogs are 14-8 and 9-2 in the Horizon League which places them second in the standings.
That’s about it from my world at the moment. I want to thank those who made use of the comments section of the blog. I encourage you to do the same. Ask me a question, I “double dog” dare you! (pun intended) Otherwise, don’t forget to catch me on Facebook, on Twitter and inside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse!
AKC Registered Name: Butler Blue II Nickname: Blue Born: 3/27/2004 Weight: 60 lbs. Fur Color: Fawn & White Adopted Parents: The Kaltenmarks
Professional:
Occupation: Mascot, Butler Univ. Campus Loc.: Jordan Hall, Office 13 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Vet: Dr. Kurt Phillips, Woodland Animal Hospital Vet Specialist: Dr. Deb Stephan, Indpls. Vet. Specialists Food Sponsor: City Dogs Grocery (Susan Smith) Food Provider: Eagle Pack Pet Foods Breeder: Kong King Kennel Breeders: Frank & Jeane King (Lizton, Ind.)
My congratulations to Stump on cheating death and coming out of retirement, as of last Wednesday, to become the oldest “Best in Show” at Westminster! This dog has quite a story! Check it out at 
I wish everyone nothing but the best on Valentine’s Day! If you haven’t got a special someone to share it with, then I’ll be your “Valentine!” Oh, that reminds me, I must send a special thanks to Leslie Bishop for sending me a Valentine’s Day card! It’s so nice to be loved! Thanks Leslie!
Again, special thanks to Nike for supplying the material and to the Tom James Company for putting it together. Luckily Nike sent enough material to make another one, so I may just be able to get two in the rotation.
