Yes, I'm crying over a mascot

Okay not just any school mascot.  My school mascot!  I'm a Tiger.  I went to LSU.  I bleed purple and gold.  I remember when Mike V passed and we got Rosco, from that day forward known as Mike VI.  He would be our mascot for a long time.  He was only two when we got him.  Tigers in captivity...especially ones that are cared for like our Mikes.  Seriously have you seen the enclosure....I think its nicer than my house! But he deserves it, he's a good boy.  So imagine the collective cry of pain when we found out our Mike, our only 11 year old wonderful Mike was diagnosed with terminal cancer.   He still had a good 10-15 years left. 

So LSU did what any caring "pet owner"  would do.  They got him the best treatment available.  Saturday we were told the cancer came back with a vengeance.  They gave him 1-2 months to live, saying they would euthanize before he suffered.  Today is Tuesday...3 days after getting that news...we were told Mike VI was humanly euthanized. 

Yea, I teared up.  Its freaking Mike!  We go visit him before LSU games.  We go visit him when we go to campus.  He is part of LSU!  He isn't a caged Tiger.  He is spoiled.  He is very well taken care of.  He isn't forced to do anything he doesn't want to.  He didn't like going into the Stadium so he doesn't.  He can "hide" from the crowd in his enclosure.  Its not living in the wild but he was born in captivity....there is no going back into the wild after that.  My point is he didn't have a bad life.  And now, not by anyone's fault, he is gone way too soon. 

I saw this online earlier today.  I don't know who wrote it so I can't give credit but I thought it was so perfect.

Today we lost one of our own:

"LSU sighed the day Mike died, and stood in silence with a tear in our eye.

The 12th man stood and bowed his head, he prayed for the safe journey of our beloved dead.

Rebels took a knee and the Bulldogs howled knowing they would miss Ole Mike's growl.

Razorbacks stomped and shook their head when they heard the news that Mike was dead.

The War Eagle flew, started to soar and looked at LSU cause he could see Mike no more.

Big Al was tough, but silently cried and there was a calm in that old Crimson Tide.

Time heals the heart, but love does it best. We will miss you forever.

Signed, The Men and Women of the West."

May you rest in peace, MikeVI.