Tail Wagging the Dog

Sorry guys for not posting more or keeping up with everyone's blogs.  I've been buried at work and just haven't had the energy to keep up with everyone's shenanigans much less come up with some witty and inspiring blog post.  That's why I fall back to my dogs - they don't care how late you come home or what mood you are in.  They are just happy to greet you at the door with a lick and a wag no matter what time it is.  I promise to play catch up this week.  

I had a post half written about all the work stress I've got right now, but I felt that was just too whiny so I'm not going to bore you with any of that narcissistic crap.

Instead, I will engage/entertain you with the ongoing debate that has arisen down here about a dog.   
   
As some of you might have gleaned from my postings, I went to a certain university down here that is fairly well known in Texas.  We are kinda known for certain characteristics, flair, and an over-the-top spirit that permeates the campus.  Football is one of our passions (yes, Abby, we seem to have put together a football team despite someone moving off to the big leagues) and the weekend football games can get be epic events.  My school is known for traditions.  One of which is our school mascot.  A lot of universities are known for their mascots and some are based upon animals (Baylor Bears, SMU Mustangs, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Rice Owls, Oregon Ducks, Colorado State Bison, and even a Texas Longhorn).  My school is no different - we have a mascot that speaks to our traditions and spirit.  We have a purebred Collie that is named Reveille.  She is a regular fixture on campus, attending every game, going to class with the students and generally enjoying the attention and perks that come with being the highest ranking cadet on campus and nicknamed the First Lady of A&M.  The current Reveille on campus is the 8th in the line to bear that name.  

While Reveille is generally known as a Collie, she has not always been that breed.  Just to give you some small background, here are some excerpts from the traditions website:     

Reveille I came to Texas A&M in January 1931. A group of cadets hit a small black and white dog on their way back from Navasota. They picked up the dog and brought her back to school so they could care for her. The next morning, when "Reveille" was blown by a bugler, she started barking. She was named after this morning wakeup call. The following football season she was named the official mascot when she led the band onto the field during their half-time performance. When Reveille I died on January 18, 1944, she was given a formal military funeral on the gridiron of Kyle Field. She was then buried at the north entrance to the field, as all Reveilles are, facing the scoreboard so that she can always watch the Aggies outscore their opponent.

Reveille I

Reveille II was not a Collie either, but a Shetland Sheepdog donated to the University in 1952 by Arthur Weinert, Class of 1900. She was originally cared for by committee by the Aggie Band for a couple of years before a cadet found her wandering around campus in 1954 and began the tradition of taking her everywhere he went. Reveille II had a rebellious streak, as well. 

It wasn't until 1966 that a purebred Collie was selected to serve as Reveille III, and details on the decision are not well-documented. However, like many traditions, it probably began largely by coincidence.

Today, Reveille is considered a member of the corps of cadets and attends every game as well as classes with her handler (a sophomore student from the outfit in charge of her care).  Tradition has it that, if Reveille barks during class, the class is let out.  Just to give you an idea on how well Reveille is being cared for comes from the football game this past weekend.  Needless to say, the ESPN clip garnered a lot of attention to the cadet who was just doing his job (his words).   

This comes on top of the news of last week that they are planning to retire Rev VIII after this year.  I dimly recall when they retired #7 a few years back and #8 was selected.  

Reveille VII & VIII

This has spurred some heated debate over what Reveille IX should be.  As we had during the last selection process, a number of people have voice the opinion that we should go for a rescue dog instead of one from a breeder.  There are some who argue to go back to a rescue mutt as with the first Reveille.  The ensuing debate is getting interesting.  I am on the fence.  I am all for keeping with  tradition, but as one who has adopted two incredible rescue mutts, I can definitely see the benefit of going with a rescue.