It’s A Dog’s Life, But It’s Not So Bad When You’re 8-0

gracie.jpg

The legions of crimson-clad Bama fans who invaded Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium, turning it into Tuscaloosa-Northeast, weren’t the only ones psyched up about the Tide’s workmanlike 29-9 dismantling of what’s left of the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday night.

As you can see, despite the threat of NCAA sanctions for “extra benefits,” Amazing Gracie the Wonderdog fired up her traditional victory stogie nonetheless.

Come to think of it, Gracie’s life revolves around a full menu of “extra benefits:”

  • The traditional victory cigar, of course, along with the lovely houndstooth collar.
  • An always-full water bowl and endless supply of dog food and glucosamine-fortified treats (she has a touch of arthritis in her hips, poor baby).
  • On sunny days, thermo-therapy for those arthritic hips via the sunbeam which streams through our dining room window most of the day
  • 24-7 access to a full array of massage and physical therapy, including head, chest and stomach rubs
  • The privilege of sleeping whenever and wherever her little heart desires, including the new living room furniture
  • A big back yard where she can run, bask in the sun, “take care of her business” and play with her little chipmunk friends, even if it does mean they end up with broken necks
  • The divine right to be recognized by anyone who walks into the room, including all visitors who must first fall on their knees and pay full homage the moment they enter the front door

All toll, it’s enough to make your typical NCAA bureaucrat seize up in a fit of prickly self-righteousness.

Yeah, it’s a dog’s life, but it’s not so bad when you’re 8-0.

As Gracie would say, “Ro Ride, Ro!”

13 Comments

  1. Jeff Slater

    I loved seeing the Bama fans singing Rammer Jammer at Neyland Stadium! Sweet!

    Roll Tide!

  2. Jeff Slater

    One more thing…

    What’s great about this year is that they weren’t supposed to be this good. It makes me very optimistic for the years to come!

  3. Donna

    The most fun game of the year!!

    Roll Tide!

    It is good to see a hound dog properly attired!

  4. Mike the Eyeguy

    “The Process” is definitely ahead of schedule. What I really liked about Saturday night was the way the D was hitting (very HARD) in the 4th quarter–like they were behind.

    Saban has got them all working from the same script and they seem focused on the moment at hand. If Arkansas State is expecting the Tide to “look past” them, I think they may be surprised.

    Oh, and another thing I like about this team is their blue collar worker ethic. There are no “stars” to speak of. And I’m glad to see John Parker Wilson finish well. He’s no Colt McCoy, but he’s good enough and more importantly, he’s a great leader in the huddle and off the field.

    We may not get there this year, but we have SEEN The Promised Land, and it is not far off!

    RTR.

  5. Laurie

    Ha! No comment on the American football stuff, but my dog loves those “cigars” as well. My 13-y-o calls them “puppy churros.”

  6. kristiS

    I’m a Razorback fan to the depths of my soul, but I’m willing to cheer for Alabama this year. Obviously my team can’t get it done, so Roll Tide Roll. But don’t expect me to trade my cat’s traditional Hog printed sweatshirt out for something houndstooth. I can’t quite go that far.

  7. Hal

    Ha, this is a good post. I missed reading your pre-game stuff last week as I was out in Anaheim at the Academy and didn’t take my laptop. I ran into Ernie on Sat and he was really pumped up to watch the game. I didn’t know that he has a child at Bama too.

  8. Mike the Eyeguy

    Laurie–

    You’ll appreciate this story. Gracie’s glucosamine treats look so much like real cookies, that Eyegal has to print “FOR GRACIE ONLY” on the bag lest one of the bumbling males in our house stumbles into the kitchen for a quick sugar fix and grabs the first thing they see.

    Hal–

    Yes, Ernie’s son and Number One were in the same dorm their first year. He’s been a diehard Bama man (he got his undergrad degree there) even though he grew up in West Virginia.

    Hope you had a good time in Anaheim. I hope to get back in the loop and attend next year when it moves back east.

  9. dunderwood

    RAMMER JAMMER
    YELLOW HAMMER
    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

    It’s only going to get better!
    DU

  10. Mike the Redneck

    Brotha’ David, yews preachin’ to the qwire!

  11. Mike the Eyeguy

    Kristi, your comment got hung up in moderation for some strange reason, but we welcome you aboard the Crimson Tide Bandwagon, even if only temporarily. And don’t sweat the houndstooth thing.

  12. Stoogelover

    Bama actually looked like a championship team for four quarters in the same game! Several times during the game, I thought about you and what you’d have to say about it. So for the next few weekends, would you please stay out of my mind!! 🙂

  13. Mike the Eyeguy

    Sorry to ruin your weekend like that, Stoogie. Next time, focus more on The Houndstooth Twins.

Comments are closed.