A New Champ, But No Bulldog

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.

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 USAToday.com; http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-02-10-westminster-dog-show_N.htm

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!

Much love,

Blue II

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.