Get to know the newest Augie Doggie

Augustana welcomed a 7-month-old English cream golden retriever to campus this fall.

Nicknamed the “Augie Doggie,” Ace is tasked with going to events, meeting students and encouraging Augie pride.

While many students have had the chance to meet Ace, his preferences and quirks remain a bit of a mystery. Ace sat down to answer some of the Mirror’s most pressing questions.

Who takes care of you?

My mom, Pamela Miller, takes the best care of me! She is the Augustana chief of staff and chief of cuddles. My mom loves dogs as much as I love humans.

What’s your favorite place on campus?

That big building that has all the good food — the humans call it the Commons? That’s where I meet a whole bunch of new friends, too. All the student humans always shriek when they see me and then run to give me pets. Very nice.

What do you do when you’re not at work?

Play with my brother, Shadow, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Actually, I play and he watches me. Mom says I’m too high energy for him. Mom also says he’s the boss. Oh! And, two days a week, I go to school at Paws Pet Resort to learn how to be on my best behavior.

What’s your favorite toy?

Any toy that squeaks super loudly when my humans are in meetings, so they don’t forget I’m there.

What’s your pet peeve?

When my humans don’t let me eat sticks, grass and bugs. I don’t get it. They all taste so good, but they always say, ‘Ace, leave it!’ I never do, so they grab the sticks or grass out of my mouth. It’s so sad.

What’s your favorite building on campus?

My mom calls it the Administration Building, but I call it Mom’s office. That’s where I spend a lot of my time and get a lot of my treats, especially from Teresa Moore. Teresa, or Auntie T, is the executive assistant to the president and to me, I’m pretty sure.

What is your favorite drink at Starbucks?

Puppuccino with extra whipped cream.

What is your favorite sport to watch?

Tennis — the AU Tennis Teams are amazing! Plus, tennis balls fit perfectly in my mouth.

What is your favorite treat?

KONG Kitchen Study Break Treats! They taste like peanut butter, and you can get them at Nyberg’s Ace — that’s who sponsors me, Mom says. I don’t know exactly what that means but Kevin Nyberg is super nice and always brings me fun, new toys.

Do you prefer the campus squirrels or rabbits?

The squirrels! They like to play hide and seek with me… except for the seek part. I’m super fast, but my humans never let me catch up to the squirrels, so we usually just have staring contests. I always win!

Which spot on campus has the best smells?

The flowers by the labyrinth, paws down. But, now, there’s a new smell coming from across campus that smells a lot like chikin…

What do you want to be when you grow up?

President of Dog-ustana University.