Uga VII has been chosen

Athens — Uga VII has been anointed. You’re just not going to see him until Aug. 30.

That was the word Friday from Savannah lawyer Sonny Seiler, whose family has overseen the selection and care of Georgia’s white English bulldog mascots since 1956. Seiler confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday that they have designated the successor to Uga VI. Uga VI, whose registered name was “Uga V’s Whatchagot Loran,” died of heart failure in late June.

“We’ve made a decision,” said Seiler, driving to Athens from Savannah with his daughter Swann on Friday. “We all holed up in a room for two days and considered all the possibilities. You can rest assured we’ll have a beautiful dog.”

Just who that dog is and where it came from will remain a secret, Seiler said. At least, that is, until the day before the season opener against Georgia Southern.

Seiler said he is working with UGA sports communication director Claude Felton to issue a detailed news release about the new dog — including pictures — on Aug. 29. However, Uga VII won’t make his first public appearance until he is unveiled in a pregame ceremony the next day.

Seiler would not confirm reports that their decision came down between a 5-month-old pup and a 2-year-old.

“Obviously we had a lot of options,” he said. “We were looking for the best dog, whether it was young or old or black or white. But we’re always on the lookout. I’ll just say I think the Bulldog Nation will be pleased.”

By the way, there are pictures circulating on the Internet this week claiming to be of the new Uga. Georgia officials say it’s a hoax.

“In due time everybody will get to see him,” Seiler said.