A big surprise at Saturday's Fresno State football game.
The new Bulldog mascot was introduced.
Victor E. Bulldog the Second will carry on the tradition.
CBS47 got an exclusive look at this new mascot and what makes him the right dog for the job.
The five month old English bulldog is the new mascot for Fresno State.
He's getting used to cameras and other sights and sounds of football games.
“Last weekend he had NFL and NCAA football games playing in the background all weekend. We are desensitizing him to the band with the fight song,” said Dr. Kelly Weaver, who is training the puppy.
Unlike other dogs, Victor E. the Second will spend his life in the stadium and in the spotlight.
It takes a special dog for that.
“That was part of our difficulty and drive because to find the right mascot because we didn't want just any old mascot,” said Dr. Weaver.
Fresno veterinarians Kelly Weaver and Chris Dobbins of Fresno Pet ER selected the puppy and they're donating the dog to Fresno State.
“We wanted to give back to Fresno State. Being an alum, it's just a perfectly natural thing to do, having an animal as mascot, having veterinarians sponsoring him,” said Dr. Dobbins.
The doctors sponsored Victor E. Bulldog the First.
And the first Victor E. Left big paw prints to fill after serving as Fresno State's mascot for six years.
He passed away in August from cancer.
“Obviously we didn't have a very long time from the passing of Victor E. Bulldog number one to now, starting the football season. So that gave us a small window to pick one out that was going to fit our needs: right age, right temperament,” Dr. Dobbins said.
The doctors first searched local rescues, then the rest of the valley.
They found Victor E. the Second in Oregon.
“We had such a small window. And we needed one in just the right age range that had been vaccinated so we could start working with him right away, but still young enough that we had him in his imprinting age for socializing and training,” said Dr. Weaver.
Victor E. the Second will spend a lot of time with people and with little children.
And this pup loves people.
“This little guy is definitely all about attention all about love,” said Dr. Weaver.
The next time you’re at a football or basketball game, look for the husky guy in the jersey, the one with short legs and kibble on his breath.
Because he's ready to cheer on the Bulldogs. And ready for you to cheer him on too!
