The Connecticut Huskies are not a good football team. They’re in last place in the American East. They lost a 21-0 decision at home Friday against Temple. But there are sometimes more important things than actually winning football games.
UConn football is bad, but that’s OK because the mascot is a very good dog
The Huskies are not good. But their dog? He’s very good.
ESPN had the game’s broadcast, and the network produced a very good feature about a very good dog. Specifically, it is about UConn’s dog mascot, Jonathan the Husky, who’s been delighting UConn people for decades in various incarnations, not unlike Mike the Tiger at LSU. The current Jonathan is an exceptionally good dog.
Here’s a list of good things about this good dog, as I learned them listening to play-by-play man Adam Amin’s narration of his story. All media’s from ESPN:
1. The dog loves ice cream.
Or else it’s hard to see why he’d spend his money on it.
2. The dog loves cars.
I haven’t interviewed the dog, so I don’t know this for a fact. But it’s hard to reach any other conclusion after you watch him gleefully ride in one, then enthusiastically emerge from the car to brighten up the lives of Storrs’ citizens.
Also, he jumped back into the car later with real verve. It was sad to see him leave.
3. The dog is cute and is down to play with toys.
He’s amused, if only somewhat.
4. The dog can also be serious.
That’s a dog who’s seen some stuff. The lack of amusement on his face reminds you that he can be a guard dog as well as a fun dog. That’s critical.
5. The dog gets along with humans.
If I knew I had to spend my Friday watching UConn football, I wouldn’t be a happy dog. But Jonathan seems totally unbothered and is just happy to hang out with people.
That’s love.
So here’s to you, Jonathan the Husky.
You join Boise State’s kickoff tee-fetching dog as my co-favorite dog in college football.
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