Happy Birthday America!

Happy 232nd birthday America! Granted, you gained your independence from my ancestors (remember, I’m an English Bulldog), but I was born and raised in the States so I’m celebrating too!

At least during the day that is, as I got to spend the day at my grandma and grandpa Richards’ house in Wabash, Ind. I got to take several tractor rides and even help Grandpa Gregg take down some trees with a back hoe. I might have got a little carried away when I got excited and bit into a tree, got my teeth stuck and had to have my mom pry my jaw loose. Hey, it happens!

Unfortunately, come nightfall, I won’t be doing much celebrating…I’m not a very big fan of the whole fireworks thing. I’m just starting to get a little better at ignoring the thunderstorms, but fireworks are still a little much for me. All of that whistling, popping, cracking and booming just makes me want to hide. So that’s pretty much what I’ll do.


Unfortunately back home, the neighbors behind my house think its fun to light fireworks off year-round and especially all summer long. What’s the big deal? Light a wick, watch it go into the air, explode, make smoke and annoy your neighbors. That’s some high-brow leisure activity right there. At any rate, I’m sure there won’t be too many evenings I’ll be able to enjoy at home over the next week.

I also want to give a warm congratulations to my grandma and grandpa Kaltenmark today as July 4, 2008 marks their 43rd wedding anniversary!

As I take a look back at the week I am still mourning the death of Uga VI, official mascot of the University of Georgia. It sounds like not only was he Georgia’s winningest mascot, but a very likable fella as well. I’m sure he’ll be missed. My condolences to the university and the Seiler family.

Speaking of dogs in the news, did you hear about Trouble Helmsley? I’m trying to get a date with her as her owner, the late Leona Helmsley left Trouble a reported $12 million in her will! You read that correctly…she left her dog $12 million.

That’s not all, per the New York Times, “Her instructions, specified in a two-page ‘mission statement,’ are that the entire trust, valued at $5 billion to $8 billion and amounting to virtually all her estate, be used for the care and welfare of dogs, according to two people who have seen the document and who described it on condition of anonymity.”

I’m not too proud. I’ll take some of that cash. Throw some toward BU and the ButlerRising Campaign, as well as add my own touches, such as a new bulldog sculpture or statue outside of the renovated Butler Bowl, to welcome people to the bowl.

The piece would not just be a symbol of the university mascot, but also a tribute to those of us who have served as mascot. Additionally, it would be a place where we could store the remains (read: ashes) of Butler’s previous mascots. (I know, it’s morbid, but you gotta plan ahead.)

The rest of the cash I would use for a new “Blue Mobile” to transport me around town and to work, as well as a buy golf cart to haul me around campus, and the rest I would pocket for future use. I’d say all of that counts toward the “welfare of dogs.” Call me, Trouble! Hit me up!

Moving on, I am excited to report that I am featured on a new, larger-than-life, cut-out in the HRC. Pictured below, the HRC staff uses it to post information and news regarding the HRC and it’s programming. It’s definitely eye-catching so I think it serves the purpose.


On Wednesday I again got to pose for pictures with one of the music camps on campus. That was fun. I always enjoy meeting the kids and making their visit to Butler a memorable one.

Finally, I did get to try that watermelon. Mom and dad picked up a mini-watermelon at the store and cut it in half for me to enjoy. I found it to be just okay. I didn’t really get after it like they hoped I would. In the end I think it just gave me really bad gas for two days.

Well, that’s about it for me. I hope you all have a great 4th of July and before you go and light off fireworks for two solid hours listening to Neil Diamond’s “Coming to America” on repeat, think about your neighborhood dogs and maybe limit the fireworks to just 60 minutes and the Neil Diamond to just once every 45 minutes or so.

Blue II

Sneak Preview, Weather and Flatulence

If you’re in the Butler database, meaning you get the Butler Magazine and other great materials, then chances are a very handsomely packaged DVD will be hitting your mailbox soon, if it hasn’t already. The Office of University Advancement is sending out this DVD to nearly all Butler constituents. It was produced and created by CMC Media Group in Indianapolis and contains three chapters.

The main chapter is a great piece that highlights the past, present and future of Butler and is the key feature of the piece, but in my biased opinion, the best chapter is the one about me!

And you’re in luck as I’ve got the clip about me to show as a special sneak preview; exclusive to my blog and BlueTube. So now you don’t even have to wait for the DVD to show up to your home. (But when it does, crack it open anyway and after admiring my great photos on the packaging, do watch the main feature.)

So, without further adieu, “Meet The Butler Bulldog.”

Well, what did you think? Pretty good huh? I'm thinking we should pitch this to A&E to see if they'll profile me for their A&E Biography show.

Anyway, what is the deal with all of these thunderstorms lately? Not a fan. Between the lightning, the loud cracks of thunder, the tornado sirens and the drenching rain, it’s not a good time to be a dog in Indiana. It's also not allowing me to get the 10-14 hours of sleep I need each day.

Then all of that is followed up with 90 degree temperatures and high humidity so now I can’t put a paw out the door without panting and overheating. Oh well, I guess that just means less play time outside and more time spent in the air conditions and under a sturdy roof. I hope it means a little more time in my pool too!



My mom and I are heading to Grandma and Grandpa Richards' house in Wabash, Ind. this weekend (my dad is off racing again...this weekend in Texas - Saturday, 10 p.m., ESPN2) so I'm hoping we can get my pool out there and I can go for a dip. Maybe we can squeeze in a four-wheeler ride too!

Weather aside and recreation, I was recently informed of Dogster’s Dog Blog and their research suggesting that the bulldog is the most flatulent breed of dogs. I just want to know what the research process involved to come up with this accusation.

I cannot deny that I may have a little flatulence problem, but that’s only because my dad is typing this for me and he keeps me honest. If I could type this blog myself, I would deny, deny, deny. Pretty much like all you dog owners do who have been known to break their own wind and then blame it on the dog. We’re on to your little game!

Well, I guess that's about it for now. A few of you have been leaving me comments lately, and I appreciate that. I will try and take some time this next week to dig through the "mail bag" and respond with some answers and comments.


Stay cool,



Blue II

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