THE DAWG

Jeff Schultz’ tribute/love letter to Uga ($$) is well worth your time.

First, a story:

… There used to be a couple of steps, not a ramp, from the doggy door to the yard, but Charles Seiler didn’t realize when he built the house 10 years ago — literally designing it around the dog’s quarters — that stairs and English bulldogs can be a dangerous mix.

“Tore his ACL the first year we had him,” he said.

Oh, no.

“It’s a live-and-learn thing. I didn’t realize the steps were going to be a problem,” Charles said. “Poor guy blew out his ACL. He hadn’t even done a game yet. But think about it: The front legs of a bulldog are like tanks. The back ones are just designed to keep his balls from dragging. As they cut and turn and do all that, that bag leg just swings around like a chicken wing.”

Now you know.

Speaking of wings, here’s what’s waiting in them:

“Que,” or Uga X, is 8 years old. It’s near retirement time. But he has been resting for a year and a half, and there’s no reason to make a change now. There’s a depth chart at the breeders. “We always keep a couple of spares,” Charles said. The two on deck: “Sony” and “Nick.”

Quality depth is always important.