Photo by Mississippi State Athletics / Mike Mattina
overwhelming .
“ When we were at Super Bulldog Weekend and we went inside the baseball stadium , it was a record crowd of almost 17,000 people and it was shoulder to shoulder ,” Julie said . “ Then someone in front starts screaming ‘ mascot ’ and the crowd goes crazy . We had him in his cart , and we were pushing him through and people we know were calling our names in the stadium , and I was waving at friends . It was super , super fun .”
The Martins said Dak has taken to the spotlight . He loves sitting on the edge of the court floor during basketball games and loves hanging out on the balcony overlooking the Left Field Lounge at baseball games because fans always call out his name and wave to him or stop to pet him .
“ He will exhaust himself going to every single person and saying ‘ hello ,’ ‘ hello ,’ ‘ hello ,’ ‘ hello .’ He is such a social butterfly ,” Julie said .
Bruce said Dak is like a little exhausted child on the ride home . “ Before we pull out of the Lofts to head home , he ’ s asleep and doesn ’ t wake up until we get to the driveway .”
At home in Meridian , Dak lives on a farm where he enjoys walking out near the trees , laying out in the sun , and sitting and watching people fish . He loves going for strolls in his rolling cart . He loves his squeaky toys and snuggling with the Martins on the sofa . Up every morning at 5:45 , he gets impatient if he doesn ’ t get his breakfast by 6 a . m .
Up until a few weeks ago , he loved playing tug of war with his big sister Belle , who sadly passed away , and he would always let her win , they said . The Martins usually have three trainers and a veterinarian who works with them and
Dak at his many events to make sure he is staying healthy .
“ They really are on top of things at Mississippi State ,” Bruce said .
“ They make it fun . They make it easy . Instead of a dog not enjoying it because it ’ s so stressful , he loves it because everybody has been so kind and nice , and dogs pick up on that ,” Bruce said . “ It is really important for them that Dak has an absolutely happy , normal life , that he is always safe , that he stays healthy and what he does is fun for him .”
While Dak enjoys the attention , he also knows he has a job to do as mascot , Julie said . “ If you put that harness on him , he knows ‘ I am at work .’ And he knows it . That is what he is trained to do …. he knows where he is going and what he is about to do .”
“ I think we call it work ,” said Bruce , “ but I think he thinks ‘ gosh , I am about to go have fun .’” M
This sketch of Dak , drawn by Julie Martin , is licensed by the university .
24 • MERIDIAN LIFE