Meet the canine college mascots who are the pride of their universities.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s football season, and everywhere you turn there are bulldogs and huskies representing college sports teams. Bulldogs seem to be the clear favorite, serving as mascots for Butler, Georgetown, University of Georgia, Gonzaga, Yale and many more schools, at least 42 altogether.

Yale, credited with being the first university to have a mascot, has been repped by a bulldog since 1889. Because of concerns about breed health, though, the college switched this year from the AKC-registered bulldog to a variety known as the Olde English Bulldogge, thought to have less extreme physical characteristics. Following a long line of dogs named Handsome Dan, the current mascot is named Walter after Yale’s Walter Camp, known as the father of American football.

The husky is another popular canine mascot. Colleges claiming the husky as a symbol include University of Connecticut, University of Southern Maine, Michigan Tech, Northeastern, Northern Illinois University, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and University of Washington.

Northeastern adopted the husky as its mascot in 1927 in honor of the sled dogs -- Togo and Balto being among the best known -- and their drivers who delivered life-saving diphtheria vaccine to Nome, Alaska, through near-blizzard conditions. While UConn’s Jonathan, named after Jonathan Trumbull, Connecticut’s last colonial and first state governor, is a Siberian husky, the term “husky” doesn’t always refer to that breed. Dubs, the University of Washington mascot, is actually an Alaskan malamute.

But what about other dog breeds? Do they get a shot at being big dog on campus? Here’s a look at some of the lesser known or more unusual canine college mascots.

The saluki, a sleek and speedy sighthound, has been the mascot at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale since 1951. Salukis are believed to be one of the most ancient types of dogs, and that’s how they became SIU’s mascot, says Saluki breeder and all-around dog expert Caroline Coile.

“That area of Southern Illinois is known as Little Egypt,” she says, “so they wanted an Egyptian mascot, hence the saluki, an Egyptian dog. They seem like a great mascot for a track team -- not so much for a football team.”

A bluetick coonhound, Smokey (the 10th of that name), leads the University of Tennessee’s Volunteers onto the football field at home games and howls when they score. The first mascot, Blue Smokey, won his place in 1953 when he barked and howled on hearing his name called as students voted for their favorite dog.

North Carolina State University teams are known as the Wolfpack, but a live wolf as a mascot wasn’t a good option. Instead, they found a dog that resembled a wolf. Tuffy, who goes by the name Wave at home, is a tamaskan, a type of dog first bred in Finland by blending German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies.

Goldie the golden retriever does more than promote school spirit for University of Tulsa’s Hurricanes. This “Golden Furricane” is a therapy dog who makes the rounds among stressed students during finals, visits alums at retirement homes and supports local pet adoption events. She’s an athlete herself, competing in dock diving and, of course, being a natural at tail-gating.

A Scottish terrier named -- what else? -- Scotty is the mascot for Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, founded by Scottish robber baron turned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. When Scotty’s off duty, she goes by Maggie, after Carnegie’s mother, Margaret Morrison Carnegie.

Pint is a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever who retrieves the kickoff tees at University of California, Davis, football games. In his off-hours, he’s a spokesdog for the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

At Texas A&M, Reveille, or Miss Rev, is the ninth rough collie to serve as the school’s mascot and was recently named No. 1 dog mascot in college football by the NCAA.

Go, team!

Q&A

Why is my cat

destructive?

Q: My cat lives to tear up my stuff. She’s always scratching the furniture, eating houseplants and knocking things off shelves. She’s 2 years old and has lots of toys. Help!

A: With their sharp claws and teeth and active curiosity, cats -- especially young ones -- have the potential to be destructive. They exercise paws and claws on prominent pieces of furniture; taste-test plants (and then upchuck the greens); and bat a paw at that knickknack your Aunt Ruby gave you just to see what will happen. Sometimes cats are just being cats, but often a little sleuthing will help you figure out why they behave in destructive ways.

Consider setting up a “cat cam” to see what goes on when you’re not at home. It can help determine what time of day your cat is most active or if something’s going on that triggers her destructive behavior. You may discover that another pet chases or teases her, causing her to jump up where those breakables are, or soothe her injured feelings by scratching the sofa or nibbling on a plant.

She may not find her toys entertaining enough. Offer new ones with brainteaser capabilities. A window perch with a view of squirrels and birds outdoors is another option. Institute three to five minutes of playtime with her a couple of times a day. She’ll enjoy the attention as well as the physical and mental exercise. Place a tall cat tree next to the item she enjoys scratching, and reward her with treats and praise for using it.

A veterinary exam may be in order. Cats who eat plants or lick or chew fabric or carpet may have a gastrointestinal disorder. If she gets a clean bill of health, you may just have to give her time to outgrow her youthful enthusiasm. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

4 best things

about black cats

--October is Black Cat Awareness Month. What are the best things about black cats? Ebony-colored felines are glamorous and chic, wearing their fur with a sophisticated swish of the tail that makes them stand out from the crowd. They are classics who go with any décor and wardrobe belonging to the people who love them. They add instant style to a Halloween party. Best of all, black cats bring good luck and happiness according to beliefs in England, Scotland and Ireland. A black cat on a Scottish doorstep brings prosperity, and brides in Britain’s Midlands welcome the gift of a black cat, said to bring contentment and good fortune.

--Animal lovers touring Edinburgh Castle in Scotland may run across a small, beautiful garden dedicated to the dogs of regimental officers serving there. The cemetery, which can only be viewed from above, dates to 1840 and is the final resting spot for officers’ pets and regimental mascots. Look for it within the castle walls near Mill’s Mount, where the One O’Clock Gun is fired. Take a minute to remember someone else’s beloved dogs as well as your pets who have passed on.

--Cancer is a common problem in dogs and cats. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 25 percent of dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives. That figure rises to nearly 50 percent for dogs older than 10 years. Less is known about the rate of cancer in cats, but certain cancers, including lymphoma, are more common in cats than dogs. Possible signs of cancer are abdominal swelling, bleeding from the mouth or nose, difficulty eating or breathing, wounds that don’t heal, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, sudden weight gain or loss, unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness, or a mass or tumor. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. It’s a great way to bring a little love into your life.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Last month we lost our little Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, Gemma, to cancer. She was probably 16 or 17 years old, so she had a good, long life, but losing an old and beloved dog is always hard on the heart, even when you’ve had her for only four and a half years. She was not the dog we were expecting when she joined our family, but she soon let us know that she was the dog we needed.

Gemma came to us in January 2013, about two months after the death of our black-and-tan Cavalier, Twyla, who collapsed and died unexpectedly during a visit to my parents. That left us with only one dog, 6-year-old Harper. When we returned home, I told my friend Maryanne Dell, with Shamrock Rescue Foundation, which pulls and places dogs in shelters at risk of euthanasia, that we could foster a dog for her. She brought us Gemma.

This tiny dog -- she weighed in at six pounds -- walked into our lives and quickly took over, despite her unprepossessing appearance. She had a large bare patch on her back, and the rest of her fur had been trimmed short. She had a mouth full of bad teeth, all of which were removed except for a couple of fangs. The shelter estimated her age at 12 or 13 years. By the time we’d had her a few months, though, she could have been a poster dog for shelter adoption.

Except for a brief squat beneath our bird’s cage to mark her new territory, Gemma turned out to be perfectly house-trained. Despite her age, she set a rapid pace on our walks around the block. Sometimes she went so fast that I had to break into a jog to keep up with her. She demanded to go to nose work class with Harper and me and turned out to excel at the sport. Once it grew out, her coat was long and flowing. It was clear she was used to living in a home where she was spoiled, because she insisted on sleeping under the covers. I fought it for a while but eventually her persistence won out.

I hoped that Gemma would be one of those tiny dogs that live into their twenties, but her disease came on suddenly, and she was gone two and a half weeks later. I can’t think of a better way to honor her special personality than to spread the word about ways to help shelter dogs.

--Foster a dog. That was originally the plan with Gemma, until she informed us she was staying, so that’s a risk. After we adopted Gemma, we fostered another dog a few months later. His name was Kibo. Now he’s our Keeper. Yes, we were foster “failures” twice in less than a year.

--If you can’t run the risk of being a foster failure, help in other ways. Rescue groups that pull dogs from shelters often need help transporting the dogs to their foster or adoptive families. Donations of dog food, other pet supplies or money to be used as needed are also welcome. Check to see if your local shelter or favorite rescue group has a wish list on Amazon.

--Spread the word about adoptable dogs through social media. Petfinder suggests posting on Facebook or Twitter that October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, or you can share a post about a different adoptable dog every day of the month.

--If you can adopt a dog, don’t overlook one with a little mileage. The love you’ll get back is everlasting, even if the dog isn’t.

Q&A

New love triggers

feline jealousy

Q: My cat is jealous of my boyfriend. She hisses and runs away whenever he comes over. We’re thinking of getting married, and I won’t give up my cat, so we need to figure out how to improve their relationship.

A: Cats can definitely develop seemingly unreasonable dislikes of certain people. When I was first dating my husband, his cat Sam apparently didn’t like the invasion of their bachelor household and ran away. I love cats, so I’ve always felt bad about that. I’ve since learned a number of ways to woo disapproving cats, and some of them may help you and your boyfriend smooth the path to true love among the three of you.

It sounds counterintuitive, but have your boyfriend start ignoring your cat. He shouldn’t look at, talk to or touch her. Cats prefer people who don’t force attention on them. They like to be the ones to make the first move. In other words, have your boyfriend play hard to get.

You can encourage your cat to get closer to your boyfriend by laying a treat trail that leads to him. Use really good treats that she can’t resist, such as dried salmon, tiny bits of cheese or some other favorite food she doesn’t get often. If she comes close, he can toss some more treats in her direction, while still not looking at or touching her. Other than treat tossing, be sure he doesn’t make any sudden movements when your cat is near him. That could scare her and set back your efforts.

Gradually, let your boyfriend be the one to offer playtime with your cat’s favorite feather toy or catnip mouse. He should also be the one to prepare and provide your cat’s meals. By making him the giver of all good things, and being patient and persistent, love will likely win the day. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

New cat takes job

as hotel ‘ambassapurr’

--Meet Hamlet, the new “directfurr” of guest relations at New York’s Algonquin Hotel, where he is taking over from the recently retired Matilda. The hotel has had a resident cat ever since a stray orange tabby wandered into it on a rainy night in the 1920s. Then-owner Frank Case allowed the cat to stay and named him Rusty, but actor John Barrymore, a regular guest, suggested calling the cat Hamlet. Since then, all the male cats have been Hamlet, with the current resident being the eighth of that name. A good Samaritan brought him to Bideawee Shelter after finding him in Long Island, ill and in bad shape. The Algonquin has always promoted feline adoption, and Hamlet was brought to their attention when they put out the word that Matilda was seeking a replacement so she could retire. Hamlet VIII is friendly, loves people and will do anything for a tummy rub, reports journalist Sandy Robins.

“He is going to be a great feline ambassador for anyone missing their own cats and wanting a fur fix while visiting New York,” she says.

--People around the country who are fostering or have adopted pets transported from Texas and Florida after last month’s hurricanes should have them screened for infectious diseases such as heartworm and leptospirosis that may be uncommon in their area. Even if they aren’t showing signs, those pets may be incubating infections and should be kept at home until they receive a clean bill of health.

--Smoke from wildfires can cause health problems in pets, especially birds. If you can see or smell smoke from fires, the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests protecting yourself and animals by keeping pets indoors except for brief potty outings, limiting outdoor activities and keeping windows closed. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Dogs, cats and even reptiles can react negatively to the stress of going through or evacuating from a natural disaster

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Nicole Morrison’s four Cavalier King Charles spaniels were quieter than normal on the Monday morning that Morrison and her friends rushed around packing their vehicles for evacuation from Hurricane Harvey in Houston. The spaniels weren’t allowed to go out in the yard to potty because water was already rising.

“They knew something was very, very wrong,” Morrison says.

The next month, Jackie O’Neil of Marathon, Florida, faced a similar situation as she and her husband, Tom, loaded their Jeep Cherokee with an assortment of land tortoises, freshwater turtles, and Pal, a 12-year-old ball python. The expected storm surge from Hurricane Irma could have killed the freshwater reptiles, O’Neil says, but the critters weren’t happy.

“Reptiles hate change,” she says.

Pets who experience an evacuation, superstorm or other natural disaster may undergo behavior changes caused by stress, anxiety and fear. It’s not unusual for pets in these situations to break house-training, stop using the litter box, vocalize more than normal, hide or behave aggressively, even if they have been reunited with their family. They may pant, pace or lose weight.

“Pets under stress have a different chemical environment in their bodies and brains than relaxed ones do,” says Fear Free-certified veterinarian Kathryn Primm of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “Stress increases cortisol and other chemicals that tell the body to switch into fight-or-flight mode. Animals who are normally very bonded to their people can escape and be lost. One should never depend on the pet to act normally in an evacuation situation.”

Morrison and her dogs retreated to a ranch owned by friends. Her three older dogs had visited the ranch before, so they settled in nicely.

“The puppy was very confused for the first 36 hours or so,” Morrison says. “It was the first time she had been in the car for nearly three hours, and I later discovered she had puked up her breakfast in her crate. It was also the first time she had been separated from her littermate sister, so she was very anxious.”

Your response can determine how well your pet survives and thrives emotionally during and after a disaster. The following tips will help you and your pets decompress and get back to normal.

--Whether you’re in a hotel, shelter or friend’s home, try to set up a small space where your pet can feel secure, such as a crate or bathroom.

--Give the safe space a familiar scent and appearance with a favorite toy or an item of clothing you’ve worn. Muffle new odors with species-specific pheromone sprays.

--Reduce stress with interactive play such as games of fetch or batting at a fishing-pole toy.

--As much as possible, keep mealtime, walks and other routines on their normal schedule.

--Pets such as reptiles may need to adjust to a different climate. The O’Neils, who evacuated to their daughter’s home in Atlanta, found that the cooler weather there slowed down their reptiles, already slightly stressed from travel and confinement.

--Avoid showering pets with excessive amounts of attention, even if you’ve just been reunited with them. Extreme amounts of “togetherness” may trigger separation anxiety when things get back to normal.

--For pets who continue to have behavior issues after you’ve returned home or set up house in a new place, schedule a veterinary visit to rule out any physical problems that could be causing the change in behavior. If they get a clean bill of health, begin retraining as if the animal were a puppy or kitten to help them regain normal skills and behaviors.

Q&A

Why does cat

mark in home?

Q: My cat is spraying in the house. It feels like he's trying to protect us from the other cats, and occasionally coyotes, that come into our yard. If we keep him inside all the time, he gets antsy and will spray. When we let him out, he does fine much of the time, but then cats come into the yard and they fight. He is 9 or 10 years old and is neutered. Any advice? -- via email

A: Spraying, or territorial marking, is a feline form of communication. It’s most common in unneutered cats, but any cat is capable of spraying, including neutered males. Cats deliver messages to each other with their stinky pee; your cat may be attempting to ward off other cats and coyotes from his territory -- your yard and home.

Your cat may also be marking space inside the home to help himself feel more secure. Making your home smell more like himself helps to relieve stress that may occur when he sees, hears or smells other cats or predators, such as coyotes in his yard. If your cat is spraying items that carry your scent, such as clothing or bedding, or items where you spend a lot of time, such as a favorite chair or sofa, he’s doubling down on that feeling of security. Combining his scent with yours is a way of increasing his feeling of comfort.

Ways to improve the situation include changing the environment, instituting a behavior modification plan or administering pheromones or medications to help decrease anxiety. Try blocking your cat’s view of the animals outdoors. Eliminate odor from previous marking episodes by thoroughly cleaning the area with an enzymatic product. Feline pheromone diffusers or sprays can increase his comfort level as well. A Fear Free-certified veterinarian can help you with a behavior modification or medication plan. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Hotel cat retires

from the suite life

--Matilda the regal Ragdoll has retired after six years as the “directfurr of guest relations” at the landmark Algonquin Hotel in New York, reports journalist Sandy Robins. The hotel has had a resident feline since the 1920s; Matilda was the 11th hotel cat and the third named Matilda. Forbes labeled her the Million Dollar Cat, crediting her “marketing skills” for earning more than $1 million for the oldest operating hotel in New York City. Matilda’s famous charity cat fashion shows raised thousands of dollars for the benefit of local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Rosemary Kenigsberg, a regular guest at the hotel, adopted Matilda, who has traded people-watching from her cat tree on 44th Street to watching deer, squirrels and other wildlife from her new home.

--Using dogs trained to detect the scat of jaguars, pumas, bush dogs and other endangered carnivores, researchers are helping to identify the best locales for habitat connection corridors in Argentina. Knowing the areas that the animals typically hunt, sleep and travel through allows scientists to plot safe paths for them across public and private wildlife reserves, privately owned plantations, farms and pastures, and along roads and pathways, while still meeting the needs of private landowners.

--When we look into a mirror, we know we’re seeing our reflection. But is the same true of our dogs? While they might not pass a mirror test, an alternative sniff test -- sort of an “olfactory mirror” -- found that dogs do indeed have self-cognition. The research, conducted by the Barnard College Department of Psychology and published last month in the journal “Behavioural Processes,” confirmed previous evidence from Dr. Roberto Cazzolla Gatti showing that “dogs distinguish between the olfactory ‘image’ of themselves when modified,” investigating their own odor for longer periods when it is accompanied by an additional odor. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.