I cannot begin to explain the emotions I feel when I see Smokey running on to the field. It brings a tear to my eyes. But when the game is getting tough and you hear Smokey bark it changes everything! The charge of electricity is amazing. It's like being in combat your in a bad way but all of the sudden your brother looks at you with a big Southern grin and says "Hondo let's get em". I have served 24yrs in the military 18 in special operations. God I love UT and Treasure Smokey! I hope one day I might meet him.
Both my children are UT grads. We have always loved Smokey. 3 summers ago we were looking for a rescue companion for our older Basset Hound. Well, as it happened we came across an abused full blooded BlueTick at the shelter in Gallatin, TN. He knew when we got out of the car that he was ours. The Governor signed into law that BlueTick Coonhounds were the State Dog of TN right after we got him. He’s not Smokey but he is loved, he’s goofy, he is the sweetest guy. BlueTick Coonhounds are active, large and can be very loud so aren’t for everyone but it is hard to imagine life without one.
I had one once! Since we live surrounded by forest ( pigeon forge) she would always run off. One time she ran off and never came back. We live near rental cabins and my family thinks one of them to her. She was named Tennie because she looked just like Smokey!
There is no competition to Smokey but have you heard about "Lil Smokey"? He has become very popular on campus, particularly with the females. He even met the Pride of the Southland Marching Band during a walk and they fell in Love with Lil Smokey. In fact, he may have more girlfriends than anyone in Tennessee. "Lil Smokey" is engraved on his UT varsity jacket. Yet there is a far more personal story: A vagrant left him with a neighbor who was nearly a vagrant himself and he was the one that gave Oscar his name. He couldn't take care of himself, much less a dachshund. His previous owner died September, 2017. When he presented Oscar to me in 2014, Oscar was starving but it was Love at first sight. When I lost my wife, he saved me from suicide with his Love. In turn, I have saved his from pit bulls and others not on a leach. After his time of neglect, I promised him a life of Love and am doing my best because I truly believe he is my guardian angel. Meet "Lil Smokey: facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1712105292182332&set=a.1147507805308753.1073741829.100001486327861&type=3 He can by no means replace Smokey as the official mascot or the University of Tennessee. What he can do is appeal to females and children to love as the little hound dog. He is not an official Service Dog but he is a Therapy Dog. As for me, I am a First Transit bus driver and more known as the owner of Lil Smokey, even at my job. The ones that drive those orange buses know Oscar. I am putting my job on the line when I say Lil Smokey/Oscar would do well. My name is John Sparks and my Facebook page is about my Dachshund as much as it is about me.
I love him...he is ADORABLE! He has to be a VERY special dog to do all that stuff on game day....with all that NOISE and confusion...remarkable. He is a beautiful dog. Love this family, too! I feel sure that these dogs have a pretty long life span. I liked this video so much that I watched it TWICE(and I have to admit....I'm a UGA alum and DAWG fan.) I like our mascot, UGA, but English Bulldogs aren't as "hearty," and they don't live very long. Hope Tennessee has a great year with their new coach!
What a good pupper. As much as I want to shower him with affection I'm glad I'm glad I'm not the owner because he'd definitely be on the chubby side So do the family not get free tickets to all the games?
I thought that the Smokey generation of blue ticks were born and bred by that Hudson family but it’s just a family that has kinda like “dibs” on finding a new puppy every time from any breeder they want. 😒 They should let anyone from Tennessee ,like a contest , put there Bluetick up for the Smokey “job” each time it happens due to the current Smokey being to old or sick so to take over the reigns.
I don't like that damn chain like that around Smokey's neck. I say we put a pinch collar on some of those morons supposedly caring for Smokey and lead them around on a leather strap. It's disgusting to see this. It took the joy out of watching this short film about an iconic figure/mascot/dog for UT.
