Tupper’s Excellent, Adventure-filled Day, Part 2

When we last left off on my excellent, adventure-filled day, I was suckling my old friend, Lenny Lamb.

But so much more happened.

Ma said, “Let’s go, buddy! The students from Bryant Zhuhai want to meet you!” Yes, if you haven’t heard, Bryant University has a campus in Zhuhai, China!

No, YOU’RE silly, Ma!

So we met the first group, and they were all like, “OOOOH!”

Note my tie… I like to look my best.

Okay, maybe that one girl didn’t look so happy, but she is afraid of dogs, she said. 😂

Look at this group in their Bulldog gear! 👍👍

In between, I ran into some Volleyball Bulldogs.

Go, Bulldogs!

I want to chomp mini-Tupper!

I don’t know what I was looking at, TBH…

I MET SO MANY FUN PEOPLE! But wait… there’s more. Watch for it tomorrow. (To be continued…)

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My Top Five Favorite Activities on a Patriots Bye Week

It’s 55 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, and breezy. Let’s never leave the lawn chair, Ma!

This article originally appeared in the October 8, 2015, issue of The Archway, Bryant’s student newspaper.

No, we’re not going to have THAT conversation. You know which one. The one where you tell me how terrible the Pats are. I am Boston-born and raised for the first four months of my life. I think that’s the equivalent of 15 years in humans. What’s that, Ma? I was born in Raynham? That’s not Boston? I thought every town/city within 50 miles of the actual Boston was considered Boston…no? Oh, I guess there’s some sort of rule, but Ma doesn’t know because she’s from Rhode Island.

Anyway, my point is that you’re not going to get me to drink your Haterade. BOOM! I bleed red, white, and blue. Actually, my blood is only red. Please don’t cut me. BOL! But one week every football season, three to four hours miraculously opens up, and I can choose a variety of other activities. Pawsome.

I present to you “Tupper’s Top Five Favorite Activities on a Patriots Bye Week”:

5. APPLE PICKING. There are a ton of apple-picking places in Smithfield. And beyond. A lot of places offer hay rides and hot cider and – OH-MY-DOG – apple cider donuts! What’s not to love? Especially because I’m too short to actually have to do any of the work. I DO love my apple snacks.

4. NAPS. Naps on naps on naps. This is EXCELLENT weather for napping, don’t you think? Gotta re-charge the batteries. Check the inside of your eyelids for anomalies. If I’m being honest, though, I nap a lot in all types of weather. BOL.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE. I got A LOT of followers. And I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Vine, and Instagram. I don’t always get to see what my friends are up to, and it’s nice to catch up. And my followers demand regular updates from me. It’s the least I can do – share my extreme handsomeness with the world.

2. DVR DELETING. Catching up on the fall television shows is imperative. What happened to Deacon? What is going on with Castle and Beckett? Why is Gibbs crankier than ever? Inquiring dogs want to know!

And my number one favorite activity on a Patriots bye week is:

1. QUALITY LAWN CHAIR TIME. What an excellent way to spend an hour or so on a beautiful fall day. And Ma usually takes advantage of the face that we’re outside to give me a good brushing….ahhh…the Kong brush is awesome. The fur is flying. Don’t stop, Ma!

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Activities on a Patriots Bye Week. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vine. Get at me! I’ll see you soon. ’Til next time…WOOF!

Tupper’s Top Five Winter Activities – 2015

Tupper snow angels…it’s how I roll…get it? BOL!

This article originally appeared in the February 26 issue of The Archway, Bryant’s student newspaper.

Here’s the thing…I love winter…usually: I can stay outside and play, and mom doesn’t worry about my allergies or heatstroke or anything. But this winter has been kind of brutal. I like the snow, but I don’t like when it’s actually snowing. What can I say? I’m a complicated dog with complex feelings and emotions…BOL! This winter, it seems like it’s ALWAYS snowing. But take heart, humans. When this article gets published, it will be 22 days until spring. Twenty-two days! In the meantime, here are some suggestions to pass the time in the winter. I present to you “Tupper’s Top Five Winter Activities.”

5. SNOW ANGELS! Make sure you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, too. If you want the full Tuppy experience, you gotta be naked. It’s so soothing…trust me. Full disclaimer: Ma says DON’T trust me and rolling around in the snow naked is not recommended.

4. ARTISTIC EXPRESSION! That’s what I call it when I lift my leg on every single inch of the walls of snow that line our bathroom paths. I mean, I’m limited by my height and the media (white “canvas,” yellow “paint”), but it’s still pretty fun! I’ve left my mark on every bit of the pathway Ma shoveled for me and the Frenchies.

3. REJUVENATING FACIAL TREATMENTS! Just throw your face right in the nearest snowbank and motorboat that snow…ahhh…feels SO good! And it’s FREE. You won’t usually pay less than $50 for a good spa treatment like that.

2. SHOVELING! I am a BIG help. Basically, this winter, with snow every other day, I’m completely INVALUABLE. If you want to see me in action, check out my six-second Vine video. HUGE help.

And my number one favorite winter activity is:

1. EATING BACON! What’s the best thing to do when it’s cold and snowy out? Eat something warm, delicious, and satisfying, of course. Gives you sustenance for all of the aforementioned activities, too. What’s that, Ma? She says that eating bacon is technically not a winter activity. Technicality, I say. It’s an activity, and you can do it in the winter!

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Winter Activities. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vine. Get at me! I’ll see you soon. ’Til next time…WOOF!

BaconQuest

If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Vine, you already know I am ALWAYS on the hunt for bacon. I call it my personal BaconQuest.

Sometimes, such as the day before a major holiday, the bacon seeks ME out!

Here’s how it breaks down:

1) Ma wakes me up from my restful slumber

Oh, hey…here to rub my belly, Ma?

2) I sense a pork-product disturbance in the atmosphere

Holy mother of Porky! What do I smell?

3) My sniffer’s working overtime

Just a tiny edge of this treat is visible!

4) I’m actually moving…into “treat-receiving” position

OMNOMNOM! GIMME, GIMME, GIMME!

5) Being told I have to wait…WAIT?? Do you know who I am??

What? Stay still? IMPOSSIBLE!

6) Making a grab for it

Faster than a speeding bullet when bacon is involved!

7) SUCCESS! BaconQuest fulfilled for today. I shall start my quest shortly for tomorrow…

YES! The most flavorful treat around!

Tupper’s Tidbits: Top 5 Bryant Football Facts

 

C’mon, Alberti, right through the uprights! AND THE KICK IS GOOD!

 

This article originally appeared in the November 13, 2014, issue of The Archway, Bryant’s student newspaper.

And just in time for a HUGE game between the 8-1 Bryant Bulldogs and the 8-2 defending NEC conference champs, the Sacred Heart Pioneers, I’m divulging facts about Bryant’s football team.

Bryant’s been around a long time – 151 years, to be exact. I’ve only been around four and a half of those years, but I know a lot about Bryant. I’m a bit of a history buff…BOL, just kidding. My mom writes a lot about Bryant, so she tells me all this stuff. Sometimes I listen. Okay, it’s rare, but I guess I absorb it through osmosis or something.

So I might know a few things about Bryant that you don’t. Knowledge is power, folks. So I’m going to tell you a bit about Bryant’s football team. I present to you “Tupper’s Top Five Bryant Football Facts – By The Numbers.”

5. 1999! That’s the first year Bryant had a football team. No, seriously. That means that even freshmen are older than Bryant’s football team! Mom graduated from Bryant before we had a team. She’s very elderly, but she’s feisty, so don’t try to steal me while we’re at the games. She works out by carrying me up and down the stairs.

4. TWO! That is the number of head football coaches the Bryant Bulldogs have had. Isn’t that crazy, when you think about it? Alabama has had 27. Of course, their team started playing in 1892. I think that’s the year my mom was born. BOL. Ba-dum-bump!

3. EIGHT! That’s how many wins Bryant Bulldogs have had this season. It’s also the number of wins the Bulldogs had in 2006 and 2007. Before we became a Division I athletic school. Those eight wins in each of those years snared us the conference champion title. Alright, we were TIED for champion, but it’s still pretty pawsome. Mom says champions get to dump Gatorade over their coach’s head…who doesn’t want to see Coach Fine in Gatorade? Go, Bulldogs!

2. THREE! That’s the number of hot dogs mom will share with me at the football games. I think this is totally unfair. I mean, there’s like TRUCKLOADS of hot dogs at the game. She says a lot of stuff in response to my asking for more. Sounds a lot like Charlie Brown’s teacher. Too rich, too processed, pancreatitis, bark, bark, bark.

And the number one Bryant football fact by the numbers is:

1. ZERO! That is the number of home football games I’ve missed since I became mascot in May 2010. We don’t always stay for the whole game – that depends on the weather and whether or mom feels like I’m in distress. But I’ve been at every home football game. The next one is Saturday, November 22. It’s also the last one of the season. Senior Day. Plan now; kick-off is at noon – I want to see everyone there.

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Bryant Football Facts – By The Numbers. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vine. Get at me! I’ll see you soon. ’Til next time…WOOF!

Tupper’s Take on Five Human-Animal Interactions

These are my people. With or without bacon. With is preferable, but I love you guys anyway.

This article originally appeared in the October 16 issue of The Archway, Bryant’s student newspaper.

There’s a Twitter account called @cuteemergency, and it’s all pictures of adorable baby animals. You don’t have to have a Twitter account to see them. Go ahead and check out “@cuteemergency”… I’ll wait. And wait. Did you SEE that fluffy baby duck?

It’s no big mystery why it’s got 1.3 million followers – humans are under so much stress and pressure constantly that they need a break from everything bad.

Okay, okay, I understand that not everyone gets to see me every day, so stress relief may be needed…BOL (Bark Out Loud for my newbie readers).  I’ve got an opinion on stuff, so I present to you “Tupper’s Take on Five Human-Animal Interactions”:

5. HUMAN-ANIMAL BONDING. From elephant and tiger caretaker reunions (who hasn’t cried over those?) to those suffering from PTSD who feel better with their animals, we have an indisputable bond. We’re all on this planet together. You help me, I’ll bark and wake you up if the house is on fire…deal? Okay, I’m not being starved or anything, but I think this constant withholding of the bacon is mean, don’t you agree?

4. POLICE/MILITARY ANIMALS. Drug-sniffing, bomb-sniffing, searching for lost children, searching for suspects, detecting mines, tunnels. These dudes are amazeballs! What? No, mom, “amazeballs” is a word…seriously. It’s on Dictionary.com as a slang meaning “enthusiastic approval.” I enthusiastically approve of these hard-working dogs. I mean, I couldn’t do it. Now, BACON-sniffing on the other paw…

3. CIRCLE OF LIFE. A lot of humans freak out when they see bats. Mine doesn’t. She’s got bats that fly back and forth over her house all summer, from dusk on. She loves them because they eat mosquitoes. Of which, we got plenty. And I’m allergic to them. You know what I’m NOT allergic to? Bacon.

2. SERVICE ANIMALS. There are dogs for the deaf, for the blind, for the wheelchair-bound. Dogs can detect cancer, insulin levels, and know when a human is about to have a seizure and protect them from harm. This elite group, true service dogs, are allowed anywhere except private homes. Emotional Support dogs help humans have a will to live, especially those suffering depression. Therapy dogs visit hospitals and such to give everyone a smile. All three groups must pass certifications and be registered. I’m a therapy dog. Obvi.

And the number one human-animal interaction I want to talk about is:

1.  COLLEGE MASCOTS. Listen, college sports isn’t a big deal in New England – except for three places: UCONN, Yale, and Bryant University. Know why it’s a big deal here? Because these three schools have totally cool mascots beloved by many. Why do I stand out among such noble company? Because any student can come and pet me at most sporting events. I’m a dog of the people! Especially people with bacon.

So there you have it. Tupper’s Take on Five Human-Animal Interactions. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Vine. Get at me! ’Til next time…WOOF!

P.S. DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

 

Rhode Island’s Top Mascots

So here I was, sitting at home around 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, when Bryant University’s Twitter account broke the news:

Lookin’ good, @bryanttuppy RT @RIMonthly: Here’s a roundup of our favorite mascots from around the state: http://t.co/hKxW4O5DY0

— Bryant University (@BryantUniv) July 10, 2014

 

Oh my dogness…I’m a star in my home state! I’d like to thank Dog, my family, my social media friends, my students, my alumni, my alma mater….I could go on and on and ON! Mom says not to, though, because, really, I came below a doughboy – not something to be overly proud of.

I ignore mom because I have a joie de vivre she doesn’t. I was SOOOOOO happy, I leapt for joy. And mom was scared, because I was aiming right for her.

Gird your loins! Here I come!

But then…she caught me. Because she always does.

Here are a couple of interesting facts about this list.

1) I’m the only live mascot (which means I’m WAY more cuddly)

2) I’ve met a few of the mascots on this list. And a few who didn’t quite make the cut this time around.

We were in a YouTube commercial for Cardi’s Furniture. WATCH HERE.

You can read the entire list on the Rhode Island Monthly blog.

Tupper’s Tidbits – Top Five Things to Do Over Winter Break

This piece originally ran in the December 7 issue of The Archway.

You can see the light at the end of the tunnel…at this point, you’re hoping it’s not a train coming at you, but the semester’s almost over! You’re going to go from 100 mph to 0 in about 5 seconds. Do you have any idea what that can do to a person (or dog)?

Winter break is awesome because it’s a loooong holiday vacation for you. You’ll see family and friends, and sleep in your own bed again. You’ll see your pets that you’ve missed, and eat mom’s and grandma’s home cooking. And then, 10 days later, you’ll be wishing you were back at Bryant. Trust me, I know these things…I’m a mascot!

Trust me, I’m a mascot.

But you’re going to have five or six whole weeks off! What will you do? I can tell you from my personal knowledge bank that there are things you can do to make your time off even better. “Better,” you say, “how so?” I present to you: Tupper’s Top Five Things to Do Over Winter Break:

Stop staring at me!

5. TAKE NAPS! Did you know that young humans such as yourselves need about 9 hours of sleep each night (www.sleepfoundation.org)? Get on that! You’ve got so much work that you stay up all night and walk around like Monster-swilling zombies! Get your sleep…that’s an order! I know I’m no good unless I get my 22 hours each day! 🙂

4. VISIT YOUR DOGTOR! Health Services does a great job, but they don’t know YOU. Not like your regular dogtor does! My dogtor knows when the slightest thing is off about me. Visit your physician, say “hi,” and have him/her do a wellness check.

3. CHEW A BONE! When I get bored, I get into trouble. My chew toys are what my Momma calls “productive activity” because they help my dental and mental health. You need to make sure that you’re doing something productive during break; otherwise, re-entry in January is going to kill you! Especially you first-years who will be doing the 72-hour Bryant IDEA Program as part of the Gateway Experience…it’ll be so helpful, but each day will wipe you out – stay in practice!

2. HAVE PLAYDATES!  It is awesome to be by yourself sometimes to recharge your batteries, but make sure you’re also connecting with humans – IN PERSON! Socialization is important. It teaches you to be more independent and will make you happier and more satisfied with your life.

And the number one thing you must do over winter break is:

1. STAY IN TOUCH WITH ME! I’m going to be lonely… 😦 Check in with me on my social media accounts. Post pictures of your trips, adventures, and family members! I’ll be thinking about you when you’re gone. Spare a thought to your favorite mascot?

I will just chomp on my WJMF Frisbee until you get back.

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Things to Do Over Winter Break. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook and Twitter. Get at me! ’Til next time…WOOF!

Tupper’s Tidbits – Top 5 Reasons to Be in the Unistructure December 5

Papers and presentations and finals…oh, my!

I know this time of year is crazy…you just had the Thanksgiving Break, now you’re back and it’s all late-night study sessions and group projects. There’s a lot going on…and you get stressed. My humans explained this whole “stress” thing to me…sounds awful. Glad I don’t have to do it!

Kickin’ it with my buddy, Cam Burke ’14.

The good news is that this semester, my friends and I can help. Did you know I’m a certified pet assisted therapy dog? On Wednesday, December 5, I’ll be joined by a couple of King Charles cavaliers, a couple of Lhasa apsos, a golden retriever, and mixes of Chihuahua, Tibetan spaniel, and bulldog in the Roto to provide you with much needed stress relief. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we’ll be there to support Wishful Thinking, a non-profit student organization that partners with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts/Rhode Island. Donate a couple of bucks – it all goes to charity – and get all the doggy loving you can handle! We’re SO worth it!

Then from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, Health Services is sponsoring the same type of event, but they’ll have all sorts of other stress-relieving techniques as well. Go to room M44 to get de-stressified during those times.

With finals just around the corner, I present “Tupper’s Top Five Reasons To Be in the Unistructure December 5”:

5. I’LL BE THERE! Not only am I your mascot, but did you know I’m also good luck? Just ask the people who pet me last year whose team won the E-Pitch about half an hour later…

Chillin’ with Kristin Penta, Bryant alumna and employee.

4. IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE! Children who are terminally ill get to do one thing they’ve dreamed of doing before they die, thanks to Wishful Thinking and Make-A-Wish Foundation. It really means a lot to them. Donate to them, and get some puppy loving from me and my friends!

3. YOU MISS YOUR PUPPY! I know you do…I see the tweets. My friends and I are decent substitutes.

2. WE’RE GOOD LISTENERS!  Sometimes, you just want to kvetch or complain. You don’t need someone to tell you what to do… I PROMISE we’ll never tell you what to do!

Rollin’ with my homies…Just look at the joy I bring them!

And the number one reason you must go to the Unistructure:

1. BEST. STRESS RELIEF. EVER! Really…there are tons of studies on this stuff. Pets reduce blood pressure and have a calming effect on the person who’s doing to petting…and, no, I’m not making this up because it suits my needs… 🙂

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Reasons To Be in the Unistructure on December 5. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook  and Twitter. Get at me! ’Til next time…WOOF!

Tupper’s Tidbits – Top Five Reasons For Giving Thanks

This article originally appeared in the November 15, 2012, issue of The Archway.

Less picture-taking, more belly rubbing!

I have been around the block a couple of times now…I know that the third week in November is a special time of year. When it comes to students, they’re most grateful for time off from school. And the rest of you humans are grateful for time off from work … don’t deny it; you know you are!

Well, I don’t have to take mid-terms or write papers or give presentations. Nor do I have deadlines and schedules. When I go to campus, it’s all about strutting my stuff and getting scratches for being so darn adorable. I LOVE IT!

One thing we can all agree on, though, is that we may sometimes take things for granted and this is possibly the one time we all take a moment and think about how lucky we are. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I present “Tupper’s Top Reasons for Giving Thanks”:

Bulldog Buggy!

5. I HAVE A ‘BULLDOG BUGGY’! Hey, let’s keep it real. The campus is 428 acres. That’s a lot of ground to cover. I see you guys moving around campus in your gas-powered buggies. My legs aren’t even 1/8^th as long as yours!

4. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS! Tradition in the Senecal house: All the scraps left on people’s plates get redistributed into our doggie dishes. OMNOMNOM! Gravy makes me so happy!

Amaze-balls!

3. MY BALL SUPPLY IS RESTOCKED! You can probably count the number of times that you’ve seen me without a ball in my mouth on one hand. Momma calls it my “puppy pacifier.” Special thanks to Bryant’s Alumni Relations Office and the Student Alumni Association for keeping me swimming in balls… 🙂

2. I AM THE BRYANT MASCOT!  I can’t even imagine being a regular dog now! When I hear applause, I assume it’s for me (isn’t it, though?) Our students are the best. They dedicate a lot of time to community service, including about 300 of them recently writing “Thank You” cards to members of our armed forces overseas this holiday season. I love them!

And the number one reason I give thanks:

1. THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME! Whether it’s my Momma reading me a bedtime story, students rubbing my belly and high-fiving me, or (my personal favorite) people who show their love by feeding me, I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who love me. I’m not the only one, though. So are you…I guarantee it!

So there you have it. Tupper’s Top Five Reasons for Giving Thanks. Don’t forget – I’m on Facebook and Twitter. Get at me! ’Til next time…WOOF!