MAY-DAY, MAY-DAY!

So the month of May has come and gone and my dad completely failed at updating my blog. He claimed to be too busy to post anything…said he was occupied with end of fiscal year activities at Butler University, a little race called the Indianapolis 500 and everything leading up to it, as well as chauffeuring me all around town for appearances. I can’t speak for the first two, but can attest to the latter. I was quite busy this past month my self and seeing as how I don’t book my own appearances, drive or do any of that stuff, I guess I should cut him some slack.

My month of May was primarily characterized by elementary school visits and I did quite a few. I’d show up, let my dad read one of Paul Brown’s Chowder books (pictures books about a bulldog named, Chowder), hand out bookmarks and posters with my likeness on it, answer questions about me, let the students pet me and last, but not least, perform my repertoire of tricks. I did this at such places as…

-Pine Tree Elementary – Avon, Ind.
-White Lick Elementary – Brownsburg, Ind. (My good friends in Ms. Butler's class!)
-Forest Dale Elementary – Carmel, Ind.
-Jeremiah Gray-Edison Elementary – Indianapolis, Ind.

And some photos…

I also got to visit Congregation Beth-El Zedeck where I attended their kindergarten graduation and accepted a check from Lily Farber in memory of her father and Butler grad, William Farber who passed away in February. It was an emotional gathering, but one that I was honored to be a part of for sure. My sincere appreciation to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and its students for their student giving program and their support of Butler University.

I also got to be a part of Butler University’s ButlerRising Campaign Finale at Indiana Roof Ballroom, downtown Indianapolis. Yeah, big time! Seriously, how many dogs do you know attending formal events in ballrooms in downtown Indianapolis? Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal.

The event was spectacular and it was a great way to end Butler’s most successful fundraising campaign which saw nearly $154 million in gifts from more than 20,000 donors!!!! Another sincere thank you goes out to all of those who have contributed to Butler in the last six years to make this possible. Bravo!

So all of that, and of course a lot more, pretty much made up my month of May, but if you took all of that times ten, I’m still not sure it would explain the volume of activity my dad was involved in. Still no excuse for not keeping my blog up to date, but what can I do?

June has started a bit slow, but that’s summer around Butler’s campus. Sure, there’s summer school in session, but I miss all those young whipper-snappers running around. But I did make a new friend this week. One of our student workers in the development office brought his new 12-week old bassett hound puppy in for a visit. His name is Gustavo and he’s a happy-go-lucky little guy. Unfortunately my dad wasn’t around to shoot any pics or video, so this little mobile phone pic is all I’ve got at the moment. Hopefully Gus can come back soon so that we can get some video for your viewing pleasure.

Well, that’s about all I know at the moment. The dog days of summer are on their way which means I’ll be trying to find ways to beat the heat (read kiddie pool), but until then I’ll be enjoying some good old fashioned playing in the yard, or the campus mall.

I’ll try and make sure my dad blogs about it early and often! Until then, make sure you check me out on Twitter. Simply visit www.Twitter.com/ButlerBlue2 and you can read about what I’m up too even if my dad says he’s too busy write up a blog.

Bow wow,

Blue II

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

My Busy Spring Monday on Campus

I had quite the busy day today on campus. It all got going just before lunch as I went to the HRC with my dad.

Kirby's mom was working the front desk at the HRC so I helped her with laundering the towels and other chores. That means I get the run of the HRC and lots of elevator rides!

From there, I had to head straight over to the Office of Admisson for their high school junior preview day where I greeted potential Butler students and drooled again over the fine display of cookies and rice crispies treats.

Immediately after that, I had a video shoot with CMC Media. They are putting together a video for the ButlerRising Campaign and they needed some footage of me.

First we started with some "green screen" shoots which I really wasn't all that excited about. Basically I was either standing, sitting or lying on the "green screen" while my dad tried to get me to make different facial expressions, bark, etc.


It sounds easy, but I was so worn out from the other stuff, that I could hardly control my breathing to even focus on the task at hand. Plus, I didn't really get the point of it all.

After that we decided to go outside to get more footage of me running around the campus' main mall. Spring was definitely in the air today and I took full advantage of the great weather while I was outside.

While outside I chased my ball, mingled students studying on the mall and greeted campus tour groups. For videos of it all, visit www.youtube.com/butlerblue2.

Here's a shot of me with some of those students that were studying on the mall.

By the time I got back to the office after all of this fun, I was completly worn out. I went through about three full bowls of water and then crashed on the floor with my toys.

Tonight I've got to get my rest so that I can make an appearance for a College of Education recruiting event and for the Rotary Club on Tuesday. It should be fun! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.


Blue II