As I sit and write this I am filled with happiness and anticipation. It is March 27th at the end of an exciting day. After working a busy day, at 5:00 PM, my husband Dennis and I decided to go to the Broad Ripple Brewpub to satisfy our cravings for their delicious nachos. We were tired and had spaced the fact that at 4:30 PM Butler was playing Kansas State in the Elite 8. What a treat to walk into the bar and get seated up close to the TV to watch this great game. By now you all know how that game ended. Butler won and is headed to the Final Four! This is so exciting! I am a close personal friend to Blue II, the Butler Bulldog mascot. I immediately came home and got on Facebook to see what he had to say about the whole thing. I knew he would also be on twitter and on his blog. I had to check out all of his comments. Of course he was completely full of himself. He had good reason. Not only did his team win the game today but it is also his birthday. He is now six. We have been friends since he was three. I don't think I would be breaking the privacy act if I told you he is a sensitive dog with a delicate system that requires a food that doesn't upset him. I have just the food for him at our store. That's how our friendship started. I wanted to contribute to his care in honor of my parents who are Butler alumni. I was told of his issues and met the challenge. Of course the product we selected is packaged in blue and white. It is anchovy, sardine and salmon. I get to see him on a regular basis when he does his shopping.

I sent him a hearty birthday wish and told him to come in and get a special gift. I can't wait to see him to hear all about this excitement first hand from his dad, Michael Kaltenmark who is from Butler's class of 2002 and is the university's Director of Annual Giving.

The Indianapolis Star did a feature on him today about his birthday party that was held at the campus Starbucks. Honestly, this dog is a total and complete ham. If the Butler Bulldogs become the champs he will be a fabulous local celebrity. After all, isn't that what mascots are for? He will do a superb job as will Michael for taking him to all of his appearances. They are both very gracious.

From his social networks I have learned that Final Four T-shirts are available in the Butler bookstore. In addition, the team is arriving home at Hinkle Fieldhouse at 2:00 AM which is just two hours from now, as I write this. They are one hour late and everyone has been invited to come meet them. I have also learned that he is already scheduled for a tomorrow morning appearance on WISH TV. The fun is just beginning. I can only imagine the mayhem that is ensuing on campus as I write this. I wish I could go over and see the team come home but I am just too dog tired (pun intended). It's been a Bulldog kind of day. I learned that my son-in-law is getting a puppy from his cousin who has a litter to sell. He called to ask if he can bring two of the pups to our store next weekend to show prospective interested buyers. Then as we walked in to the Brew Pub there was a Bulldog puppy sitting out in front with his people. We stopped and chatted. It seems the Brew Pub is becoming the social gathering place for dog lovers as much as Plump's Last Shot. Pets make you smile!