Griff II is beloved by all of the Drake University community. He features prominently in our Instagram posts, draws in prospective students year after year and brightens our days when he walks by. The Live Mascot page on the University’s website boasts custom wallpapers for those who want Griff II on their cell phone screens, GIFs for those who want to spam their group chats and so much merch. May the day never come when this school runs out of Bulldog sweatshirts.
That same webpage touts that “Griff II is loved by all and has made a positive impact on many. He is, proudly, Des Moines’ hometown dog.”
May I never download one of those wallpapers. Despite the omnipotent website description, I can’t say that Griff II is ‘loved by all.’ I’m a firm believer that the live mascot program is overrated.
Now, I have nothing against Griff II specifically. But I do find it problematic the extent to which students tie their identity to a bulldog. Drake students love Griff II. But does Griff II support the students, or do the students support Griff II?
Personally, I’d love to know how much money and other resources the University allocates to the Live Mascot Program. That bulldog has a car, a parking space and a golf cart. Funnily enough, I’m not sure that he has a driver’s license. And that’s only the beginning.
That webpage says that Griff II “is a key part of recruiting efforts, student life, alumni functions, Drake athletics, and more.”
Griff II is absolutely an attraction for prospective students. I know when I toured Drake, I asked explicitly about how often the dog was on campus. So did my best friend. And we were both assured that yes, Griff II is always around. He’s not just in your posts, but he likes, comments and reposts them, too!
Yet as a student, I don’t see Griff II very often. Neither do the people I talk to. But I have yet to hear of Griff II missing a prospective student day. In fact, my only picture with that bulldog was taken a couple of weeks ago when I walked through the Olmsted Center and happened upon a prospective student event. Sure enough, Griff II was chilling in his chair while adoring students lined up for selfies. And yes, I was one of them. I’m a critic, not a hater.
Still, I would love to know how many of Griff II’s scheduled events are targeted to attract potential students instead of being immersed with current students. And how many prospective students are told that the live mascot is always around? And to what extent is that more of a promise than a follow-through?
But honestly? I don’t blame the dog. While he lives a life of luxury and privilege, he also lives a life of constant work and endless commitment. Ultimately, Griff II is a dog with, despite what his curated media presence would have you believe, little say over how he lives his life. He goes from one event to the next, day after day, fulfilling the role he was chosen for.
When Griff II announced his retirement (and I never thought I’d be writing a sentence about a dog making a career announcement), students across campus were devastated. And understandably — that bulldog is not only advertised and touted as instrumental to student life, but students internalize him as being a key part of their Drake identity.
Is he? Maybe, depending on who you are. Should he be? I don’t know. Personally, I’m wary of being emotionally or mentally dependent on the abstract idea of what Griff II means as a source of support. But it’s not all or nothing; you can enjoy the bulldog without tying him to your identity as a student. He can attract prospective students without being MIA for current ones. And he can work hard day in and day out, and soon, enjoy his well-earned retirement.
