Butler’s brand-new mascot, a five-month old English bulldog named Blue, should be in the final stages of mascot-specific training right now. He had just finished puppy training and was about to start learning how to chase down the bone at the end of the basketball court to signal the end of the starting lineup announcements at Hinkle Fieldhouse. He was also set to learn how to let players pat his head when their names were called.



Blue was supposed to be following Trip, his predecessor and great-great uncle, around campus to learn from him. Trip was supposed to be preparing for his own retirement; he had planned to walk across the stage — last, after all the seniors — at Butler’s commencement ceremony on May 9.



None of that is happening right now. Both dogs are stuck at home with their owners, only leaving the house to go for walks while practicing social distancing just like the rest of us.



It’s certainly a strange time to be a...