R.I.P. UGA VII

It is a sad day in Bulldog Nation. When I woke up this morning the first e-mail I read was from my mom breaking the news to me that Uga VII, the University of Georgia's beloved mascot, had suffered from a heart attack and died. This was pretty shocking news since Uga was only 4 years old and was only introduced as Uga VI's predecessor in August 2008. My fellow Bulldog fans will certainly understand the sadness that comes with the death of any Uga, but particularly with one that passed away so young.

Several years ago my family got to have our picture taken with Uga VI and it was a day I will probably never forget. And it wasn't because of the awesome family togetherness either! The day was HOT, humid and not a cloud in the sky. My family decided to venture to Athens for picture day in hopes that we would have our picture taken with Uga for the family Christmas card that year. By the time we arrived in Athens the line to see Uga was around the corner and the folks working there laughed at us when we asked where to get our tickets. As it turns out, people started lining up at 2am for the tickets and it was not likely that we were going to make it into the building. Rejected, crabby, fighting and SWEATY we left the auditorium for lunch in downtown Athens. No one was happy. My dad even took us to the bookstore downtown and let us get whatever we wanted in hopes of salvaging the day and repairing our spirits after our rejection. Bummed out and on our way back to the car we passed the auditorium again where Uga was posing for pictures when I happened to notice a red Ford Expedition parked in the alley. Thanks to the Uga coffee table books in my parent's house, I knew this was Sonny Seiler's car (Uga's owner). I noticed people coming out of a door in the alley. The door had no handle on it. Curiosity got the best of me and I waited in the alley until the next people left. Inside I could see Uga, RIGHT THERE, within 20ft of me! We were able to go in the back door and slip into the line, which was dwindling by that point anyways. VICTORY!!! When it was our turn to have our picture taken with Uga, I swear to god my legs were shaking as if I were in the presence of the biggest movie star ever. It is pretty clear how happy we all are in the picture that was taken. Even my brother, who was 16 at the time and did not smile often, was happy!This was our Christmas card in 2003 I believe. My sister added the RIP Old Friend when Uga VI passed away in June 2008. He reigned at the winningest Uga of all time over a 10 year span at the University of Georgia and I was honored to have my picture taken with him. I am only sorry that I did not have the chance to meet Uga VII before his untimely death yesterday. I am sure that meeting Uga VII would have brought just as much joy to my family as his father did. Now Bulldog fans around the world will wait in anticipation for Uga VII's predecessor to be named. Until then, rest in peace Old Friend, you will be sadly missed!