MSU's Zeke the Wonderdog: A tradition for more than 30 years

Eric Lacy | Lansing State Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Zeke the Wonderdog's performs with his caretaker during Play in the Park in East Lansing Zeke the Wonderdog's caretaker Jim Foley talks about what it means to work with the famous dog at a performance at Play in the Park in East Lansing.

The original Zeke the Wonderdog at MSU football game halftime shows and other events crafted quite a resume over about a 10-year span. He started a tradition that's stood for over 30 years. Below is a look at things you may not know about the golden labrador retriever.

Former MSU football coach Darryl Rogers awarded Zeke a varsity letter after the 1977 season He is the only non-human in school history to be awarded a letter.

An image of Zeke was featured on MSU's souvenir program for its 1978 home football game against Minnesota.

Zeke made headlines in April 1979 when he was missing for eight hours. He disappeared while out for a morning workout and was found curled up in front of a downtown East Lansing store.

Zeke came out of retirement in 1984 to co-star in the play "Annie," a Lansing Civic Player's production. He played the role of Sandy, Annie's dog.

More: How Zeke the Wonderdog became a Michigan State tradition

More on the four Zeke the Wonderdogs

There have been four Zeke the Wonderdog canine performers at MSU football games and other events since the mid-1970s. A chocolate lab named Keze also performed for about a year in the early 1980s. Below is a look at each Zeke, their original names, breeds and years they were Frisbee-catching entertainers.

Zeke I

The golden Labrador retriever's original name was Ezekiel. He was owned by Gary Eisenberg, an MSU graduate, and was runner-up in the 1977 World Canine Catch and Fetch Championship at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Zeke I performed at MSU events from 1977-84. In addition to halftime shows, Zeke made appearances at telethons, festivals and other special events. He even played Sandy in the Lansing Civic Players performance of "Annie." Zeke died in 1987 at the age of 13.

Zeke II

The MSU Athletic Department revived the Frisbee dog tradition in 2002. Zeke II, a black lab named Dexter, performed at events starting in 2002 but was forced to retire early in the 2007 season due to medical reasons. Zeke II died in 2012 at the age of 16.

Zeke III

Bou Cou, a yellow Lab, became the new MSU football halftime performer, known as Zeke III in 2007. He held the job until late 2016. Zeke III, not related to previous Zekes, was a leader of troupe dogs that performed Frisbee tricks. Zeke III died Dec. 2, 2016 at age 9 from a tumor in his stomach. His last football game was Nov. 19 of that year. He was at a home MSU women's basketball game the day he died but was too ill to perform.

Zeke IV

Formerly known as Buckshot, this firecracker red English lab was a member of Zeke III's troupe of performing dogs but wasn't related to him. He became the new Zeke on Dec. 3, 2016 following his former mentor's death a day earlier. Zeke IV's first solo performance occurred at an MSU men's basketball game the day after Zeke III died. Zeke IV has an extensive resume that includes appearances at NFL football games, MSU Alumni Association functions, festivals, parades and golf outings.