Athens — Uga V's Whatchagot Loran, better known to the world as Uga VI, will be laid to rest Monday at 3 p.m. at Sanford Stadium.

The University of Georgia's pure white English bulldog mascot passed away Friday night of heart failure. He was a month shy of his 10th birthday.

Like his five predecessors, Uga VI will be interred in specially-built marble vault built into the side of the south grandstands just inside the main gate of the southwest side of the stadium. According to UGA, it is the only school that buries its mascots within the confines of the stadium.

A private ceremony will precede the burial. The Rev. Claude McBride, a Baptist preacher and former chaplain for the football team, will officiate. UGA president Michael Adams will be among those to make remarks.

"Every time I go through another one of these it's just as hard," said Sonny Seiler, a Savannah lawyer whose family has provided all of UGA's mascots since 1956.

Though UGA VI could not have had a more public life, Seiler emphasized that this is not a public ceremony.

"I don't want people to think that can come to the stadium, find a seat and watch," Seiler said. "So many people don't understand that this is a family pet."

Few pets have been beloved by so many. At previous burials, fans have peered in from a respectful distance atop Sanford Bridge. As of Sunday afternoon, there were nearly 600 entries in Uga VI's guestbook on ajc.com.

Most were from Georgia fans offering condolences to the Seilers and thanking them for their efforts. Then there was "Lucy," who claimed to be a Maltese from North Port, Fla.

"Arf, arf, old friend," she wrote.

The identity of the dog that shall become Uga VII remains a closely guarded secret.

"That's been taken care of," Seiler assured. "Let's get through this first."