My official retirement announcement

Dear Huskies,

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 10 years since, as a little pup, I first took the field at Husky Stadium, following in the legendary paw prints of the likes of Denali, Redoubt, and my immediate predecessor, Spirit.

What a journey! It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent this great university on and off the field. 

As I reflect on the great memories, I realize the time is coming for this old dawg to pass the collar onto the next generation. The 2018 football season shall be my last.

While I will miss the thunderous cheers from my corner of the Husky Stadium field, I am excited to spend more time with my family, frolicking in the fields of my own backyard.

Your top dawg, always,

-Dubs

Responsible Dog Ownership

A few days ago, the NCAA posted a video to celebrate responsible dog ownership. The video highlighted their top 5 college football dog mascots. Yours truly made the list of course (at number 5, but we won't go there). Dog mascots can make great ambassadors for their college as well as their breed. Seeing a good looking, well-cared for and well-trained dog like your mascot might make you think you want a dog like that for yourself. But let's talk about responsible dog ownership.

I often hear people say, "I want a dog like you, Dubs!" and I appreciate the love but sometimes I worry that people will get a dog like me without knowing what they are getting into. If you're thinking about getting a dog like me (a northern breed), please learn as much as you can first and make sure the breed is the right fit for you. It's true that I'm handsome and I'm well behaved but it takes a lot of work to keep me that way! It also takes the right kind of person because dogs like me are very independent and have a lot of opinions. If you want a dog like me, you should plan to spend at least 2-3 hours each and every day providing exercise, training, social interaction, mental stimulation, and grooming. This time commitment is for a regular full-grown dog (not a mascot). Puppies require twice as much time and by puppy, I mean up until about 2 years old. Oh, I was a handful as a puppy, let me tell you! You also have to be sure you have the right living situation (a securely fenced yard) as well as the financial means to provide quality food and veterinary care. (College students, I'm talking to you!) If you don't have the time or can't do all of these things, please don't get a dog and especially please don't get a dog like me. It makes me sad when I see dogs like me who don't have a good home.

And of course, if you're thinking about getting a dog like me consider adopting one from a rescue organization. If you really want a puppy, please find a responsible breeder.

Thanks, NCAA for the high five and thanks for celebrating responsible dog ownership!

Watch the video

p.s. Always pick up your dog's poop!

I'm FINALLY updating my blog.

I can't believe it's been almost a whole year since my last post! I have been neglecting my blog in favor of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Social media has changed so much while I have been mascot. In fact, I think I am the first UW mascot to even use social media. How weird is that?! When I first started my blog, Instagram didn't even exist and Twitter wasn't really used for pictures. I got Facebook during my first year as mascot but I didn't have the password until a few years ago so I had to rely on others to post for me. Now, I do it all. Except apparently, my blog. Sorry, loyal blog followers! 

I even do TV. Recently, I was on ESPN College Gameday. That was exciting!

Coming up, I'll be on a show called College Football's Glory Road that will air on December 10th on ABC. Here's a photo from the video shoot. It was a lot of fun!

Call me Ambassador Dubs

UPDATE: November 2016 - the study is now closed. Results will be available in early 2017. Thanks to everyone who participated!

I was invited to join the Board of Canine Ambassadors at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies. As an ambassador, my job is to help spread the word about an important study called the Animal Ownership Interaction Study. Read below to learn more about it and how you can participate.

Veterinarian behaviorists Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman (Tufts Cummings School of Veterinarian Medicine) and Dr. James A. Serpell, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine) are undertaking the largest owner-dog personality behavior study ever conducted with a view to establishing once and for all how owner personality and psychological status affects a pet dog’s behavior.

The primary purpose of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies is to investigate the behavioral factors linking dogs and their owners in order to identify specifically the factors of behavioral compatibility that most influence dog relinquishment and abandonment.

Every year millions of dogs are relinquished just in the United States alone.

Dog relinquishment is the largest contributing factor in shelter overpopulation. In turn, shelter overpopulation is the largest contributing factor in unnecessary canine euthanasia; up to 1.5 MILLION each year in the U.S.

The overarching mission of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies is to unearth behavioral linkages between adopters and dogs that preserve and reinforce that relationship, reduce relinquishment and abandonment, and work toward the eventual goal of putting the practice of canine euthanasia into the past once and for all.

Please share this information with other dog owners— especially owners of rescue dogs.

To learn more and volunteer to participate, please visit the Center for Canine Behavior Studies web site and register for free membership.

http://centerforcaninebehaviorstudies.org/RegisterNow/

I love to run!

Football season is underway. Woo woo! My favorite job is running the football team out of the tunnel. People sometimes comment that they think I should run off leash - that I am well trained and I will run to my handler at the other end of the field. This is true, so why can't we cut the leash? The thing is, I am a dog with a mind of my own. What if someone left a gate open and I decided to keep running? What if I decided to run to the nearest hot dog vendor instead of my handler? What if I saw a duck and decided to chase it? What if there was a delay of game because nobody could catch me?You get the point.

Nobody has ever asked me if I WANT to run off leash. The truth is, I am perfectly happy running on leash. I LOVE to pull and running the field is the only time I get to do it. This is what I was bred to do - pull a sled across the snow. Husky Stadium is my arctic tundra. When I am running across that field pulling my handler behind me, I am SO happy. And besides, I bet nobody ever asks why Ralphie doesn't run off leash.

Don't I look happy?

It's National Dog Day!



For me, every day is National Dog Day. I have a great life. I have a comfy home, I eat well, get lots of exercise and play time plus I have a great job and lots of love. Today is about celebrating all dogs everywhere and especially remembering the ones who need help. Consider donating to your local dog rescue or shelter today!

(Not) A Hot Dog

One question I'm being asked a lot lately is, "Dubs, how are you doing in the heat?" People have all sorts of suggestions for helping me keep cool such as taking me swimming or shaving all my hair off. I don't really like swimming and I would probably be even hotter if my coat was shaved (not to mention I would look pretty silly!). While it is true that I have a lot of fur (a double coat to be exact), it actually helps keep me from getting too hot because it's my insulation. I still have to be careful not to overexert myself when it's hot though, which is truly a hardship.

So don't worry about me. Of course, snow is best but sun isn't too bad! In fact, sometimes on a warm day I will purposely seek out the only sunny spot in my yard. If you'll notice, even the cat is in the shade.

Dear Blog Followers

Dear Blog Followers:
You are a loyal bunch. You've been with me since the beginning. You've watched me grow up. You've cheered me on. However, I fear that I am letting you down. I don't post on my blog very often anymore. There are so many other options for sharing photos, which let's be honest, is what most people want from me. If you want to see photos of me, you can follow me on Facebook (DubsTheMascot), Twitter (@uwmascot) or Instagram (@uwhuskymascot).

But, my dear loyal blog followers, I know that you know, I am not just a pretty face. I have things to say. From now on, my blog will have more words than pictures. I have matured and while I cannot type, because after all I am a dog, I can use the power of my mind to get my humans to type for me. I'm very clever that way. So stay tuned. I know you will. Thank you for following me. - Dubs

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2461599-best-animal-traditions-in-sports/page/3

Thanks Bleacher Report for the great article. But, um, that's not me in the photo. Just so you know.

This is what I look like running on the football field.

Where is my butler? The door won't open itself you know.

I haven't shown my face on the blog for a while. (Sorry!) So here's my face.

Visiting the inspiration for the Seahawks logo at the Burke Museum.

I have Seahawks fever!

I've been dreaming of a white Christmas.

This is my kind of weather!

I'm having birthday cookies with my friends.

Trick or treat? Did someone say treat?

I am ready for conference play! Go Dawgs!

Arts Dawg - I'm a well rounded mascot.

New game day uniform!

Our backyard.

I had a great summer and now I'm ready for some football!

I enjoyed my summer vacation. I went lots of places -- from the Oregon Coast to San Juan Island to British Columbia.

I love running on the beach.

I got recognized in Roche Harbor!

Looking for orca whales by Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Didn't see any.

Hiking in British Columbia.

The mountains in Canada are big.

They love me in Canada! And I love their gas stations!

Ice bucket challenge!

I've been on vacation (more on that later) but while I was away this happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRNvp84oJ4k&feature=youtu.be

The Fountain, the Mountain and the Dawg.

Happy Graduation Class of 2014!

Congratulations and a big thank you to my handlers Anne-Lise Nilsen and Sylvia Stellmacher. I'll miss you!

I plan on sniffing every one of those trees.

Pupperazzi!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while - I've been busy getting my picture taken! I love getting my picture taken. You know why? One picture = one treat for me. Yum - I bet my paycheck tastes better than yours!

Ah, Spring!

Photo by Chrissie Chang.

Check out my snowy chin whiskers.

These are my snowshoes.

Go Hawks!

I'm starting 2014 with the Husky Women's Basketball team.

Happy New Year! Go Dawgs!

Happy Husky-days!

It's the Fight Hunger Bowl! My favorite.

I'm going to eat lots of turkey today but I'm saving room for cougar!

Happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you at the Apple Cup. Go Dawgs!

I hope my birthday wish comes true!

Big Four Mountain behind me and my 5th birthday ahead of me.

Bow Down!

Sure, I could post some cute picture of me eating a duck or tell you that I've been eating duck all week (I have) but today, I simply say, "Bow Down to Washington!"

Photo by Chrissie Chang.

Take that, Stanford!

Your mascot is a tree. I mean really, you're asking for it. On an average day I can make my mark on you at least 20 times before I've even had breakfast! And Saturday is not an average day - it's Game Day! Go Dawgs!

Feeling right at home. I love my new stadium!

I am hungry for some football!

Mmmmm. Tastes good.

It's National Hot Dog Day!

I thought that meant I'd get a special treat. But instead I'm just hot. Pant...pant. Almost 90 degrees today.