The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/1/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Uga VI wearing his black jersey against Auburn.

Uga VI, the English bulldog who has served as the Georgia mascot since 1999, has died from heart failure, the University announced Saturday.

The winningest mascot in the University history died on Friday evening from congestive heart failure in Savannah, owner Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler announced.

"He was a good one," Seiler said. "What can I say? He had a marvelous record. He was a very strong and healthy dog. He was the biggest of all the dogs, and he had the biggest heart. It just played out."

Uga VI was breathing heavily shortly after arriving home.

"I noticed he had a little congestion in his throat, which usually is not cause for alarm," Seiler said. "I gave him a bath, which he always loved, to cool him off. After that, I called Dr. Lester, whose office is about a four-minute drive from our house. His heart just played out. He suffered no pain and died peacefully."

University Athletic Director Damon Evans called it "a sad day for the entire Bulldog nation. Uga VI was a damn good mascot and a damn good dog. He was an outstanding representative of our fine institution. While this is a sad day for all Bulldog fans, our condolences especially go out to the Seiler family."

A successor to Uga VI will be announced by the Seilers and the Athletic Association at a later date.

Uga VI, who would have turned 10 on July 22, will be buried in a marble vault in the Southwest corner of Sanford Stadium with his predecessors.

"UGA VI served with extraordinary courage and heart as a beloved University of Georgia mascot," University President Michael Adams said. "He was a true symbol of the toughness and competitiveness of our athletic teams, and was a rallying figure for the entire Bulldog Nation. We extend sympathy to the Seilers for the loss of a dear family pet and a great campus mascot who will be missed and remembered by UGA alumni and friends everywhere."

"Uga VI was a tremendous ambassador for the University and the state, including his appearance just a couple of weeks ago at our inaugural economic development conference held in Savannah with officials from Canadian provinces and our neighboring Southeastern states," Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said. "Though much of the Bulldogs' success in recent years has been attributed to Coach Mark Richt, most true Georgia fans know that his job will be much tougher now without the winningest Uga of all time stalking the sidelines, sitting on his trademark bag of ice and carefully eyeing any opposing mascot that dared to come close."

The Georgia football teams compiled an 87-27 record during Uga VI's tenure, capturing both the 2002 and 2005 SEC Championships and winning six of eight bowl games over that span.

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