Birthday Boy, Blue II

Happy birthday to me! That’s right, today, March 27, is the big day and this year happens to mark the fifth year of me roaming this earth. Unfortunately, that also means that I’ve hit the age of 35 (5X7), by this date next year I’ll be 42, and I’ve officially reached middle age as the English Bulldog’s lifespan is just 8-10 years.

Ah well, such is life. I’m just going to enjoy it one day at a time, which is really like seven days for me. Oh, it’s so depressing. I must think happy thoughts, which isn’t hard to do on a day like this when I got to go to campus and all my friends (read: students, faculty and staff) threw parties for me!

Yep, it’s been a busy birthday for me. Paying no attention to my birthday wish to sleep-in, my dad got me up early so he could work out at the HRC (rec center) before work. It’s beats staying at home, but seriously, let a lazy dog sleep!

Once we got in to work, we had just enough time to get settled in before heading over to an early registration event for incoming freshman and their parents. My role at that event is to greet people and pose for pictures. Since my dad got me up so early, there weren’t too many pictures that I had my eyes open for, nor was I standing in too many of them. Sorry about that.

After that I inhaled the breakfast that I neglected to eat to start the day and got a visit from my friend and colleague Linda Cooley who brought me four new toys and some delicious gourmet doggy treats in honor of my big day! Thanks Linda! Here’s a video of me receiving the gifts that Linda brought me…

I didn’t get too much time to play with my new toys as I had to head over to Atherton Student Union for my very own birthday party! The kind students with the Butler University Student Foundation (BUSF) hold a party in my honor each year and it’s fantastic. The entire campus community is invited and many of them stop by for a free cookie or cupcake, soda, the opportunity to get a picture with me and a chance to sign my birthday card. It’s so cool!

My friend Dave Furst, Sports Director at WRTV-6, the ABC affiliate in town, made sure a news camera was on hand to record the event as well so look for it on RTV-6 news this evening! Thanks Dave!

Lots of students came, I took countless pictures, salivated over cupcakes that I couldn’t have, and just had more fun than should be allowed for a bulldog. Thank you BUSF and Butler for the great party! Needless to say, I’m one tired pooch…

That’s what you get when you’re a celebrity, I suppose. To finish out the day, I think I’ll nap some more and my dad says that we’ve got to make a stop over at the Vision Racing shop too. Fine by me, I love field trips! I also particularly like to visit my buddies at Vision Racing.

Hey, be sure to check out my YouTube channel, “BlueTube” for more great videos. I have lots of four-legged visitors this month (Bella the Beagle, Pepper, Xena and Xander) and a lot of our escapades are captured on film and featured on www.YouTube.com/ButlerBlue2, so check it out.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, presents, prizes, treats, pats on the head, and love on my special day! I’m not just the luckiest mascot in the world, but the luckiest dog as well. Thank you!

…and many more!

Blue II

A Bittersweet March Madness

First, I offer my hearty congratulations to the Butler Bulldog women's basketball team which held tough in the waning moments of the first-round WNIT match-up at Duquesne last night to win on running layup by Candace Jones! With just three seconds remaining in the game, Candance cashed in two points to bring the Bulldogs from behind to win by one (59-58) in what was the team's first post-season victory in more than a decade!

The Lady Bulldogs will move on to the second round of the tournament on Monday (March 23) to face host Marquette at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT). Go Dawgs!

Given the victory by the women last evening, all was not lost regarding the day and the thrill that is "March Madness!" However, a Bulldog couldn't help but feel bittersweet when going to bed last night as our men's team put forth a valiant effort, but came up short against the LSU Tigers in Greensboro, North Carolina to open up the men's basketball NCAA Tournament.

After a slow start, our beloved Bulldogs came roaring back and made us all proud and even lead the game with just minutes remaining. But LSU was not to be denied as they shot "lights out" and made a sprint to the finish. The final score was 75-71 and while we may have lost the game, it wasn't for a lack of effort. Our Bulldogs played well, but our hats off to the LSU Tigers...well played!

I guess that fact that President Barack Obama picked us to win in his bracket wasn't enough to make the difference in the game yesterday. But really, the guy missed like five games in his bracket yesterday! Yeah, five in the opening day. Ouch. Let's hope he's better at running the country than picking winners in an NCAA Tourney bracket!

The good news is that the same Bulldog team you saw yesterday returns to the bench next season and will be joined by a strong cast of recruits! The future is never guaranteed, but I like the plan that is in place!

And, if its of any additional consolation, we did make the "Top-10" list of mascots in this year's NCAA Tournament! Here's a link to the story: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2009/03/20/obama_ncaa_bracket.html

We came in at No. 9 in the rankings determined by PetSide.com.

Speaking of pets, here's a "dog ate it" story for you from CNN that I think you'll enjoy. Every heard the old saying, "money doesn't grow on trees?" Well, perhaps money grows within dogs! Check this out...



Now that's what you call, "dirty money!"

Okay, enough with the bad jokes, I'm out of here.

Tomorrow I'll be appearing at the 17th annual Bulldog Jog held over at the HRC at 8 a.m. so I hope to see some of you runner types there. Otherwise, enjoy the first weekend of the spring season!

Woof,

Blue II

The Face of March Madness

Ok, well "The Face of March Madness" title might be a little presumptuous, but for Indianapolis and central Indiana, I might as well be as my mug is front and center on the front page of today's Indianapolis Star!

Joining me in the cover shot are Butler athletic director, Barry Collier; head men's basketball coach, Brad Stevens; my mascot counterpart, Hink; Butler's 20th president, Dr. Bobby Fong. The headline reads "THE BUTLER WAY" and the following article includes an analysis of Butler's campus-wide winning philosophy as interpreted by David Woods.

Log on to www.indystar.com/butler to check it out and to read additional Butler coverage by Mr. Woods and Curt Cavin. Good stuff!

And if you've yet to see the front page of The Star today, or you don't live in the area, then here it is in all of it's glory...

Today's the big day, game day, so let's talk a little Butler hoops for a minute. Remember, the No. 9 Bulldogs open up NCAA Tourney play today on CBS at 12:20 p.m. from Greensboro, North Carolina versus the No. 8 seeded Tigers of LSU. It's been a highly touted game with college basketball analysts and experts teetering on the outcome.

With the experts and public opinion in question regarding just who will be victorious in the Butler/LSU match-up today, perhaps we should just put all of that aside and pay attention to one man's picks, our Commander and Chief, Barack Obama.

I'm not one to be politcial, but the guy is the President of the United States of America and he did pick Butler over LSU. Two things come to mind here. 1.) President Obama has some of the best intel in the world at his disposal and; 2.) If anyone has the power to "fix" the outcome of a game, I would think it would be this guy.

Ultimately, depending on how you voted in the fall will determine whether you think Obama's backing is a good or bad thing, but I'm a dog and I don't vote, so whatever. I'll take the support!

The Butler men's basketball team arent' the only Dawgs in action on the hardwood today, as the Butler women make an appearance in post-season play this evening in the WNIT at Duquesne.

The women tip at 7 p.m. (EST) in what will be their first appearance in the post season since 1998. A win tonight would give them their 20th win of the season!

Good luck to all of my Dawgs today!

If you know how to work the Twitter, or just like seeing my Twitter updates on my blog, then be sure to follow me all day today as I "tweet" updates regarding the games from my spot on campus. And for the upteenth time, no, I am not at the games because the NCAA does not allow live mascots at their tournament sites. Their loss.

For some additional coverage of Butler hoops besides the usual suspects:

• http://www.butlersports.com/

• www.indystar.com/butler

Also check out http://horizonleaguenetwork.blogspot.com/ for some great behind the scenes coverage!

Eventhough today is all about Butler hoops, I did want to leave you with a couple of other blogs that I've been following that highlight some of the amazing talents, efforts and abilities of Butler students and faculty.

The first blog revolves around some of Butler's Media Arts students and their creative work. The blog is designed to showcase the student's work that they complete for class assignments. Just have a look and checkout some of their stuff. It's some pretty impressionable work!

• http://www.butlercreative.blogspot.com/

The second blog is written by Butler College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences professor, Mike Roscoe and revolves around his life as a medic with the US Military while stationed in Iraq and his attempt at serving his country and his students all at the same time. It's a humbling story of courage, discipline, honor and pride. Keep up the great work, Mike!

• http://www.buprofessor.blogspot.com/

Whether you went to Butler, sent kids to Butler, had relatives attend Butler, work at Butler, once worked at Butler, just like bulldogs, the color blue, or whatever, it doesn't matter. We're all Butler Family today, so lets pull together and get ourselves a couple of victories in post-season play this afternoon!

Go Dawgs!


Blue II

Sleeping Tiger, Hidden Bulldog

In preparation of Butler's men's basketball NCAA Tournament appearance on Thursday, March 19, 2009 (12:20 p.m.) I thought I would offer up a little video illustration of how I think things might go on the court between the Butler Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers.

It just so happens that LSU has a nice little kitty named, Mike, who serves as their mascot. He's a friendly little feline and in this video, I wait until he falls asleep to rest up for the big day of our game and then I make my sneak attack. Just watch the video and you'll get the picture...



I hope that you enjoyed that little bit of home (or office) video. I certainly hope it inspires our real-life Butler Bulldogs to do the same on Thursday.

Of course, the game will be broadcast live on CBS and while you could watch it at home, why not join up with some fellow Bulldogs and enjoy the game? Fellow Butler fans are gathering all over the country to watch the big game and you should too! For a complete listing of the official viewing parties visit www.butler.edu/alumni.

Those Bulldogs in Indianapolis can gather at...

• Moe & Johnny's, mid-town Indianapolis, IN located at 5380 North College Avenue.
  
• Champp’s, downtown Indianapolis, IN located at 49 W. Maryland Street.

Here's to a great game on Thursday; enjoyed with Butler family and friends! Go Dawgs!

Before I sign off, I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm not sure what the point of this day is, but people keep giving me a hard time for not wearing the color green. My name is "Blue." I don't do "green." Got it?!

In tribute to my "Blue II Facts" in the post below, I give you this statement of fact: Blue II was once pinched on St. Patty's Day for not wearing green...ONCE.

Finally, I leave you with another video in honor of this holiday. It comes from Mobile, Alabama and the subject of this news story is a leprechaun. It's now an oldie, but still a goodie and yes, this is for real. Even a bulldog mascot with his own blog couldn't even make this up. Enjoy...



May the luck of the Irish be with the Dawgs this week in GREENsboro, North Carolina!

Blue II

100th Post: The Dawgs are Dancin' and that's a Blue II Fact!

Welcome to my 100th blog post!

Unfortunately, it took me a little over a year to reach 100, but we made it and thanks to everyone for reading all along the way. I am certainly looking forward to the next 100 posts and I hope that you are too!

As I’m sure you’ve heard by this point, the Butler Bulldogs are going “dancing” in the “Big Dance” again this year as the men’s basketball team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, picking up a No. 9 seed in the South Bracket and a chance to play No. 8 seeded LSU in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Bulldogs and Tigers will go head-to-head on Thursday, March 19 at 12:20 p.m. (EST). For info on tickets, bus trips, viewing parties, etc., please visit:

www.butler.edu/alumni

http://www.butlersports.com/

Also, to learn more about the team and even a little bit about me, check out this new web page on Butler’s site:

http://www.butler.edu/spotlight/ (http://www.butler.edu/spotlight/?pg=7170)

In addition, don’t forget to check out The Indianapolis Star’s coverage of the Bulldogs headed up by staff writer David Woods. There’s always some good info and insight there. Check it out: www.indystar.com/butler.

Now keep in mind that it isn’t just the men’s team that will be dancing this year as the Butler women have earned a shot to compete in the NCAA women’s NIT tournament this week as well. Their game location, opponent and time are still to be announced, so be on the lookout for that!

Good luck to all my Dawgs in action this week! Let’s show the nation just what ‘The Butler Way’ on the hardwood looks like! Go Dawgs!

In honor of my 100th post, I wanted to do something special, but I wasn’t sure what that might be, especially since I dropped the “25 Random Things About Me” post a couple of weeks ago. Eventually, my inspiration came in the strangest of places as it ultimately was the 69th birthday of Chuck Norris that helped me come up with the subject of my 100th post.

In recent years, the popularity and cult following of Chuck Norris has exploded across America. Why, you ask? Well, material like “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and "The Delta Force" might have helped (not likely), but really, it was the ability of his persona to be played-up in a Paul Bunyan-esque way that shot his stock through the roof. Look no further than http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/ and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Read through the first page and if you aren’t laughing, then please consult a physician immediately. That stuff is hilarious and has led to the cultural phenomenon that is, Chuck Norris.

So, the following are some “Blue II Facts” that I thought I would share with you. Now, I can’t take credit for these, as they really come from my dad and his friends. They tend to find themselves more humorous than they really are, but I even had to laugh at a few of these “facts” and I think you might too.

I wanted those guys to think up 100 Blue II Facts in honor of my 100th post. The best they could do is 65, in honor of the NCAA Tournament field of 65 teams. Fair enough. So, I’m challenging you, the reader, can you help me get to 100 Blue II Facts? I need just 35 more. If you think of one, head to the comments section and leave your own “Blue II Fact.” Thanks!

And without further adieu, I give you 65 Blue II Facts:

Blue II doesn’t snore, he growls.

Blue II doesn’t chew rawhides, he chews bones.

Blue II can either squat or lift his leg to pee.

Blue II ate Blue I.

Blue II is smarter than your Honor Roll student.

The Amazon rainforest was created after a Blue II bathroom break.

Blue II gets more stud requests than Seabiscuit.

Blue II sired Seabiscuit.

Blue II's flatulence was the inspiration for the atomic bomb

Blue II doesn’t chew his food, he swallows it whole.

Blue II stuffs his own animals.

Blue II came up with the idea for Butler University, then told Ovid Butler to create it.

Ever seen a metal chain snap in half? Chain up Blue II.

Blue II doesn’t wear a flea collar. Fleas wear Blue II collars. They don’t work.

Blue II doesn’t bark. He speaks.

Blue II once caught a cold. That cold is now dead.

Blue II walks around naked every day...because he can.

Blue II understands and can speak 12 different languages. However, he chooses not to articulate with words as mere humans do not have the brain capacity to comprehend his diction.

Blue II has the ability to type his blog, but doesn’t have to since a simple stare-down with his PC will type it for him.

Blue II knows who let the dogs out.

Blue II doesn't breathe, he holds air hostage.

When Blue crosses the street, the cars have to look both ways.

Blue II doesn’t play “fetch.” He plays “seek and destroy.”

Blue II purposely walks slowly so as to not speed up the rotation of the Earth.

Hinkle Fieldhouse was originally designed and built as a “dog house” for Blue II.

Blue II doesn’t have a yard; he has a 180 acre campus.

The electric fence was invented for Blue II. Invention fail.

Blue II runs through electric fences when he has an itch to scratch.

Every door Blue II walks through is a doggy door.

If your dog has five Milk Bones and Blue II has five Milk Bones. Blue II has more Milk Bones than your dog.

If your dog has five Milk Bones and Blue II has five Milk Bones. Blue II now has ten Milk Bones.

Blue II can sneeze with his eyes open.

When Butler University does not win the Horizon League McAfferty All-Sports Trophy, it is only because Blue II allows it.

Laika, the Soviet space dog was the first canine and mammal in space orbit, or so she thought when she saw Blue II floating by her capsule window.

To the naked eye, Blue II’s teeth appear crooked, that’s only because he has the ability to cross the eyes of humans that look at him.

The Grand Canyon was formed when Blue II was once looking for a place to bury a bone.

It's not a dog eat dog world. It's a Blue II eat dog world.

Blue II caught the Chuck Wagon covered wagon.

Blue II’s puppy teeth can cut diamonds.

The first Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain was actually the Running of the Bulldogs. The animals were the ancestors of Blue II. There were no survivors.

After Blue II was born, all cats immediately lost three lives.

Noah was the only man notified before Blue II relieved himself in the Atlantic Ocean.

The phrase "raining cats and dogs" came from the time Blue II was locked in a room with other collegiate mascots.

McGruff takes a bite out of crime. Blue II takes a bite out of McGruff..

Blue II was Paul Bunyan's first choice as a pet.

An early version of Mount Rushmore featured a sleeping Blue II curled up at the feet of George Washington.

Petting Blue II gives Matt Howard the ability to dunk on a 45-foot high basketball goal.

Blue II has never died on The Oregon Trail.

It is said that the vision of dogs is reduced to just black and white. Blue II sees in full-color 1080p HP high-definition.

Blue II has the ability to fly, freeze hell over, and make today the day that you die. Do not continue procrastinate life choices or chalk up detriments to these facts or he’ll call you on them.

Claims of nations and terrorist groups around the world having weapons of mass destruction are simply false. Blue II resides in Indiana.

Blue II will never chase his tail. If he did, he’d have no tail.

Blue II was actually Butler University’s 20th president and every president prior, but he lets Dr. Bobby Fong do the job in his stead.

Blue II dunked on Air Bud.

Blue II taught Astro Jetson how to fly and operate the iPhone.

Benji was actually “hunted” by Blue II. The deleted scenes reveal this. Blue II was eventually replaced in the movie by bears, wolves and cougars to make it more “believable.” Blue II killed said bears, wolves and cougars and he and Benji remain card-playing buddies to this day.

Blue II actually took the bullet for Old Yeller.

Blue II told Scooby Doo the riddle to every mystery he ever solved. EVER.

“Scooby Snacks” are actually “Blue II Snacks,” Blue II just sold Scooby Doo the rights to the name, in blood.

Scientists believe that one year of human’s life equals seven years for a dog. Blue II believes that scientists have a short life expectancy with talk like that.

The movie “Turner & Hooch” was originally titled “Turner & Blue II,” but Blue II turned down the role because he didn’t want to be portrayed as a slobbery mutt that gets yelled at by Tom Hanks.

Blue II “bites the hand that feeds” for sport.

Take Blue II to a cow pasture and what’s left is a pasture of rawhide bones.

Blue II doesn’t have toys, just other live animals he catches and then chews on.

In 2009, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection Committee gave Butler a No. 9 seed. As a result, Blue II has decided that the 2010 committee will be a committee of one: Blue II.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed those “Blue II Facts.” If you can think of more, then simply add them via the comment section.

Remember to check the sites I referenced above for the most up-to-date information on our Bulldogs and their respective post-season tournaments. In addition, I hope to have another post up by our game on Thursday with a little something involving me and an LSU Tiger, so be on the lookout for that.

Go Dawgs!

Blue II

A Top 10 in Response to a Random 25

So I got a special package in the mail on Wednesday morning from a group of 20 (or so) elementary school students. I must say, this package couldn't have come at a better time as I was feeling quite tired and irritable after the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team took one on the chin late the night before in the Horizon League Tournament Championship game. (The Bulldogs lost by three points to Cleveland State, but in all likelihood will return to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 13 seasons and third time in a row. As the Indianapolis Star's David Woods put it, "Butler IS going to the NCAA Tournament. Twelve months ago, that was nearly unthinkable." Well put, Mr. Woods!)

Specifically, this package came from Miss Butler's multi-age kindergarten and first grade class at White Lick Elementary School in Brownsburg, Indiana (also home of Butler freshman Gordon Hayward) and contained a top-10 list citing reason why my dad and I should come and visit Miss Butler's class this spring. Here's a shot of me reading the list...

I must say, it's the most clever, witty and fun class visit request that I've ever received and I commend Miss Butler's students on their creativity, ingenuity and charm. According to Miss Butler, who graduated from Butler University in 2002 with my dad, this list came about as an original idea from the students. She only helped to scribe the list for them.

Evidently the list came about in their "writer's workshop" where Miss Butler was teaching them "organization in writing" and "lists" were brought up as an illustration of that. As avid readers of my blog, Miss Butler's students quickly recalled my recent blog post where I chronicled "25 Random Things" about myself. Their response, without further adieu, is a list of the "Top 10 reasons why Blue and Mr. K. (that's my dad) should come visit us..."

10. We are probably the only five, six and seven year olds that read your blog.

9. Some of us weigh sixty-two pounds, just like you!

8. We've bot some Star Wards fanatics in the room and we want to hear Blue's "whine." [In reference to my Chewey Chewbacca reference.]

7. We're dying to see Blue's infamous tricks!

6. We try to do things at school "The Butler Way." [Keep up the good work!]

5. We'll even make sure our room is really clean.

4. We're Bulldogs just like you (except we're not real dogs...we usually don't bark) [That's okay, I meet a lot of humans around Butler that claim to be Bulldogs, but don't appear to be anything like me. I get it.]

3. We're lots of fun (at least we think so)! [I can see that!]

2. For some reason we think body functions are hilarious. [In response to my random report on my bodily waste routines. Glad you enjoyed that one. Respect the relief of bodily waste being jettisoned from the body, but never lose the humor in it either. It is what it is.]

1. We're Butler University's #1 fans! [Thanks, we'll take all the support that we can get...especially come NCAA basketball tournament season!]

Signing off with a "Come visit soon" are Jakob, Brayden, August, Leister, Ellie, Andrew, Ryan, Ashley, Jacob, Dietrich, Leah, Gavin, Jonathan, Reagan, Martin, Evann, Lydia, Bo, Belle, Jackson and Miss B.

Thanks friends! You guys are the best! I lick my nose in approval...

A special thanks goes to Miss Butler who, by helping her students create and send this to me, is illustrating just what a great educator she is...bravo Miss Butler!

But how about those students?! Wow! According to Miss Butler, these youngsters love reading my blog and particularly enjoy the pictures of me, and they've become huge basketball fans this season. Miss Butler reports that her students now know more about the Butler men's basketball team and Horizon League than she does and they love http://www.butlersports.com/.

Right on, Miss Butler's class! Keep up the great work and you can sure bet that I'll be making a visit to your class very soon!

Stay in school,

Blue II

P.S. Don't forget to vote for me in Bissell's MVP Contest so that I can help them sell vacuums! Click here to vote for me: http://www.bissell.com/MVP09/Week09/Vote9.aspx?ImageName=Butler+Blue+II&FileName=769.jpg

Butler Blue II Needs Your Vote Again!

Yep, I need your vote yet again as the folks at Bissell are looking for their next pet model in their Most Valuable Pet Contest. You may remember I entered the Bissell MVP Contest last year in hopes to try land my mug on a vacuum box. While I got a lot of votes, I didn’t seem to have enough support to make the cut. That or Bissell just selected a pooch on their own accord. I’m not sure which scenario is actually the case.

Oh well, I’m back to give it another shot. The BISSELL MVP Pet Photo Contest voting period #9 is open now through March 17! To vote for me, click here: http://www.bissell.com/MVP09/Week09/Vote9.aspx?ImageName=Butler+Blue+II&FileName=769.jpg

My parents could really use a free Bissell vacuum given all the dog hair I leave behind, so thanks in advance for your vote and support!

In other news, the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team is playing for the Horizon League Tournament title tonight in a 9 p.m . game at Hinkle Fieldhouse versus Cleveland State. The game is on ESPN so either get to Hinkle and get a seat or find your way to a television set and tune in!

Go Dawgs!

Blue II