From the December 18, 2005 issue of the
Newnan (Ga) Times-Herald:

By MEGAN ALMON
megan@newnan.com

He's tenacious, yet gentle. He's loved by men, women and children alike. He's reached star status -- in sports, in Hollywood and
throughout the media.

Though he's only been around half a century, he's a living legacy. He's had songs written about him, slogans and cheers bearing his
name. His image is a symbol that represents pride, loyalty and the spirit of a true Southern entity.

His name? Three simple letters. U.G.A. -- Uga.

But to the Seiler family of Savannah, Ga., he's a pet, a fifth child, a brother.

Emmy award-winning producer Erica McCarthy, owner of Nowhere Productions out of Athens, worked for nearly five years to tell Uga's
story through a "dogumentary" film titled "Damn Good Dog" (the cheer that was chanted by University of Georgia fans at Uga I's
retirement in the 1960s). McCarthy visited Newnan on Wednesday in a tour around the state to raise awareness by word-of-mouth about
the film.

"Uga" -- or rather, the spirit of Uga, as the film covers the lifespans of six different dogs -- narrates his story. McCarthy had
one voice in mind for the dog, and she chose none other than the gravelly tones of the Bulldogs' beloved radio announcer Larry
Munson.

Uga, pronounced "Uh-gah," is the white, English bulldog who serves as the beloved mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs, and though in his
humble beginnings he simply stood on the sidelines at each football game, Uga has developed quite a repertoire.

He was voted Nation's Best College Mascot by Sports Illustrated Magazine in April 1999, and was pictured on the cover. He appears on
University of Georgia paraphernalia everywhere -- he even wears custom-made jerseys at each game and rests on the sidelines in his
own, air-conditioned, fire-hydrant doghouse. He made several appearances with owner Sonny Seiler in the Clint Eastwood film
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and wore a custom-made tuxedo to the movie's premier. His face has become a symbol of the
University, and all this was made possible by one man's willingness and commitment to bring his pet bulldog to every football game
since the early 1950s.

McCarthy wanted to explore the dynamics of Uga's background, and of the family that has stood just outside the limelight since the
beginning. Having met Sonny Seiler when she produced the infamous "Ugacam," (a small tripod-and-camera device attached to Uga's
collar to give fans a dog's eye view from the sidelines) to have the designe approved by the gruff Savannah lawyer, she was
interested to find out more about the man, the dog and the rest of the family -- what it was like to be Uga's owner, to grow up with
a well-known symbol as a fifth child, or as a brother.

Seiler warmed up to McCarthy when, on the Ugacam's inaugural day at Sanford Stadium, Uga's first order of business was to peer up a
cheerleader's skirt. Seiler was pleased with the good-natured publicity the stunt received.

McCarthy was able to interview Sonny and Cecilia Seiler (Uga's "Mom") and each of their four children. She captured their memories,
their feelings about each of the Ugas, the dynamic Sonny and Georgia football in general.

McCarthy called the process of producing the film a "dreamy project." She gained access to all the right characters -- Munson did
the voice, the Seilers and many others gave their time and memories, and Jack Davis, who has illustrated countless famous images for
the Bulldogs, and drew for Mad Magazine and TV Guide, provided the artwork. McCarthy is hopeful that a shorter version of the film
she's working on cutting for television broadcast will include an appearance from Clint Eastwood, who was willing but unable to
participate in the documentary due to his involvement in other projects at the time.

The film includes interviews with Herschel Walker, Vince Dooley, "Irk" Russell and other well-known names associated with the
Bulldogs. McCarthy was able to gather film clips and photographs of unforgettable Bulldog moments: Herschel Walker's highlights;
Lindsay Scott's last-minute touchdown to beat Florida in 1980; and the Sugar Bowl Victory for the National Title over Notre Dame,
after which the sea of red and black stormed the field. And much more recent memories, of David Greene and David Pollack, the 2003
SEC Championship, Current Head Coach Mark Richt and Uga's attempt to take a bite out of an Auburn player -- not to mention Uga at
home, Uga at work and Uga at play.

McCarthy said "Damn Good Dog" makes a great stocking stuffer for Bulldog fans or football fans in general. Copies of the DVD are
available at Scott's Bookstore on the Court Square in Newnan, or can be ordered from www.damngooddog.com.

And as Bulldog fans gather round to cheer them on against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 2, don't forget the old saying --
"You can't spell 'sUGAr' without UGA!"