The North Carolina State University live mascot is a beloved symbol of the university's spirit and tradition. Since 1921, the university has had a live wolf as its mascot, starting with their first live mascot, Tuffy I. The live mascot represents the university's mascot, which is a wolf. The role of the live mascot is to bring excitement and energy to sporting events, campus activities, and other university functions. Tuffy, as the live mascot is commonly called, is a Siberian Husky breed. The chosen breed reflects the heritage and history of the state, as huskies were originally bred for sled pulling in cold climates.
International Tamaskan Forum
I hope he has a good time and isn't scared by all the people / noises.
I'm sure he'll do fine though. and no doubt the crowd will LOVE him.
The future lies before you, like a path of pure white snow.
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.
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Re: Tuffy the "Tamaskan" (NCSU's Live Mascot)
Post by Valravn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:38 am
I know! I'm freaking out! I'm officially a Wolfpack fan! GO WAVE!
I hope he's handling everything ok. It's really loud there…
Sylvaen Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 5224 Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 3:53 pm Location: Croatia Contact:
Re: Tuffy the "Tamaskan" (NCSU's Live Mascot)
Post by Sylvaen » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:50 am
The people on the NCSU forum like him too:I just told my wife to check out the new mascot. Her reply - "Um, that's a real wolf." LOL That's one pretty animal. Tuffy 2 looks more wolfie than Tuffy 1. JMO
The future lies before you, like a path of pure white snow.
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.
Posts: 1049 Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 4:22 pm Location: Ohio, USA
Re: Tuffy the "Tamaskan" (NCSU's Live Mascot)
Post by Valravn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:02 am
And they think he's a wolfdog.Is that a real wolf or some wolf-dog combo? Sylvaen Tamificent (Guru)
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Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Sylvaen » Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:23 am
The only annoying part is that, in the video, they call him a German Shepherd X Husky mix. he's a real TAMASKAN.
The future lies before you, like a path of pure white snow.
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.
Posts: 240 Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:49 am Location: California
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by kendrrat » Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:43 am
i am SOOO HAPPY! go ~~~~WAVE. ~~~~
i am so happy for how the situation turned out! i really hope this works out well, i hope Wave is happy with his new role in the community and im so happy hes so well received by the fans!
And ---DUH--- OF COURSE he looks more wolfy than an RPK dog, he's a real Tamaskan.
hehe sorry for all the enthusiasm, im just so excited!
RahneRe: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Rahne » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:13 am
Yay, I couldn't watch the game from NL but Tina told me about it.GO WAVE. Valravn Tamificent (Guru)
Posts: 1049 Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 4:22 pm Location: Ohio, USA
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Valravn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:23 am
This was only a trial run though, right? Any idea when we'll know for sure if Wave got the job? Sylvaen Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 5224 Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 3:53 pm Location: Croatia Contact:
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Sylvaen » Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:56 am
The future lies before you, like a path of pure white snow.
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.
Posts: 360 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 7:41 pm
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Wave2Tuffy » Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:10 am
Wave had a GRAND time! He was not afraid of the crowd or the noises. He was his typical laid back self. I think if he continues he will get more comfortable & be a lil' more interactive with the crowd. Before a commitment is made both parties want to make sure Wave is a good fit. We feel comfortable with him attending the games. now we have 2 get the feedback on how the crowds & school felt about his attendance. Live input says he was a HUGE success. I also did not like the fact that he was not referred as a Tamaskan. I think this is a temporary reference, though, because of the RPK situation. I will let everyone know any feedback I receive from NCSU.
Nino Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 3105 Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:13 am Location: Aalborg - Denmark
Re: Tuffy the "Tamaskan" (NCSU's Live Mascot)
Post by Nino » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:09 am
I was just thinking, didn't he miss the tongue piece in the other side?
Until i noticed that the 3 on one of the other pictures were backwards too.. wtf?
ITS GREAT THAT IT IS WAVE!!
Posts: 1758 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 1:10 pm Location: Lincs, UK
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by blufawn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:10 am
Im so glad to hear Wave had a laid back attitude to the game. I too hope with time he will be comfortable and look forward to the attention he gets at games and become more involved.
I still see there is upset about live mascots in general and although under normal circumstances I would agree, I am 100% confident that Wave has a fantastic home life and he isn't dragged out a kennel to attend the game and then dragged back again. This is a very positive outcome for the NCSU, I don't care if they never mention Wave is a Tamaskan, im just pleased that its him Go Wolfpack
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Posts: 3105 Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:13 am Location: Aalborg - Denmark
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Nino » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:16 am
blufawn wrote: I don't care if they never mention Wave is a Tamaskan, im just pleased that its him Go Wolfpack
I agree..
And if they don't mention him as being a Tamaskan dog, it will not make people want a Tamaskan because of that, and then people will not find RPK as an easy alternativ.
Posts: 360 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 7:41 pm
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Wave2Tuffy » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:32 am
They were excellent on allowing Wave to come & go on the field as necessary. They new certain noises might startle him & had him leave the field during those times too.
BTW
Some of the comments by the cheerleaders & others that interacted with the RPK dog:
she was scared (she being Roxy)
she acted weird &/or out of place
small not near as big as Wave
not as wolfie as Wave
she looked more like a dog
Overall, Wave did much better than Roxy in all areas
MelB Tamific (Novice)Posts: 294 Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 11:01 am Location: Kent, UK
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by MelB » Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:55 am
Well done Wave!! (And you too Lisa )
I was hoping to find out last night but went to bed straight after Cindy's 1st training class, feeling rough. First thing I thought of this morning was "Who was it?" & "How did he do?"
Loving the positive comments. Probably a good thing he's not referred to as a Tam just yet as people might think he's just another RPK dog. Let's educate some more people on puppy mills and build Wave's fan base.
Good luck with the feedback, fingers crossed for you all.
Blustag Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 2969 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 7:53 am Location: UK
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Blustag » Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:11 pm
Well done Lisa and Wave!
I'm glad all turned out well in the end and I'm happy that Wave goes home to a loving family at the end of the day.
Posts: 1049 Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 4:22 pm Location: Ohio, USA
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Valravn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:08 pm
Well they do keep labeling him a Tamaskan "Wolf Dog" in the photo gallery. http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/09/17/ . 91610.html
Nino wrote: I was just thinking, didn't he miss the tongue piece in the other side?
Until i noticed that the 3 on one of the other pictures were backwards too.. wtf?
lol That's because it was taken with my Mac. It flips everything.HiTenshi16 Tamificent (Guru)
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Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by HiTenshi16 » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:29 pm
Well done Lisa and Wave, I'm happy to see there was so much positive feedback! JoshC Tamtastic (Apprentice)Posts: 463 Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 3:20 am Location: Madison, WI USA
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by JoshC » Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:45 pm
WAVE LOOKED GREAT. Lisa thanks for taking this on. I still can't cheer for the WOLFPACK. Go Badgers. BUT BIG GO WAVE.
Wave2Tuffy Tamific (Novice)Posts: 360 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 7:41 pm
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Wave2Tuffy » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:51 pm
Its official Wave is their Mascot. They loved him & want him long term. The said they were so impressed with his disposition & how incredible he was heeling etc. He is such a good boy.
I can't belive my baby is the NEW NCSU MASCOT.
Valravn Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 1049 Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 4:22 pm Location: Ohio, USA
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Valravn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:53 pm
YES! GO WAVE. MelB Tamific (Novice)Posts: 294 Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 11:01 am Location: Kent, UK
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by MelB » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:56 pm
YAY.
Fantastic news! Good boy gorgeous Wave. A few extra treats today methinks? I think he deserves them. He's done himself, his owners and the whole breed proud.
Posts: 463 Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 3:20 am Location: Madison, WI USA
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by JoshC » Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:58 pm
CONGRATS LISA AND WAVE. I am still a Badger fan. BUT LOVE THE BIG GUYTarheel Tamtastic (Apprentice)
Posts: 481 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 1:37 am Location: North Carolina USA Contact:
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Tarheel » Fri Sep 17, 2010 4:20 pm
We are so excited and proud of Wave, The New Tuffy. Lisa and Joe did a outstanding job raising and training him to be an excellent represntitive out the Tamaskan Dog Breed. Tuffy is great for the school and for all of us. We should support Tuffy regardless of who our school alliances are with.
Joe did a great job handling Tuffy. You were like the the Waterboy for Tuffy. Anytime Tuffy was thrirstly, Joe was there to make sure he has some high quality H2O. GO WOLFPACK, Go Tuffy, Go Waterboy. lol
Tarheel Tamaskan
Committee of Breeders Rahne
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Rahne » Fri Sep 17, 2010 4:45 pm
Congrats! Whoooo WaveKazee Tamthusiastic (Newbie)
Posts: 35 Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:43 pm Location: Atlanta, GA Contact:
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by Kazee » Fri Sep 17, 2010 5:01 pm
That's awesome you guys! Wave looked at home out there on the field! kendrrat Tamific (Novice)Posts: 240 Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:49 am Location: California
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by kendrrat » Fri Sep 17, 2010 5:59 pm
Wooo HOOOOO. GO WAVE! congrats on being such a wonderful representation of the breed and such an amazing dog and family! youve done us all proud
blufawn Tamificent (Guru)Posts: 1758 Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 1:10 pm Location: Lincs, UK
Re: WAVE: NCSU's NEW Live Mascot!!
Post by blufawn » Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:04 pm
Congratulations guys and a great big thanks should go to EVERYONE who helped and supported our campaign to get Rightpuppy mill out of the public eye. You all did a grand job and should give yourselves a pat on the back, you may just have saved a few puppies lives.
Also a big thanks to all the NCSU students who contacted the TDR to offer their support and their opinions on which dog was the most Wolfy looking. (It was always Wave)
And of course thank you to Waves owners who seemed to have dropped everything at the last minute to help support the Tamaskan breed
And finally the BIGGEST thank you to Wave who did an outstanding job of showing how laid back and friendly the Tamaskan really are. Wave went a long way to showing what huge differences their are in the quality of real TDR Tamaskan Dogs and commercially produced designer mutts from RPK.
Without Wave and his owners there very well could have been another RPK dog at the next game.
I hope everyone will join in our campaign and keep fighting until we can put a stop to commercial farming of Tamaskan Dogs. We have won the battle, let's win the war.
GO WOLFPACK, I am sure they will get more than one new fan, just because of Wave
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Beloved NCSU live mascot Tuffy II dies
North Carolina State University’s live mascot Tuffy II was owned by Joe and Lisa Downey of New Bern, and Lisa Downey said the dog was recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and acute renal injury (renal failure). (Photo: Megan Scarano, NewsChannel 12)
NEW BERN, Craven County — A dog beloved statewide and also by his New Bern owners has died.
North Carolina State University’s live mascot Tuffy II was owned by Joe and Lisa Downey of New Bern, and Lisa Downey said the dog was recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and acute renal injury (renal failure).
“We did not see this coming; if you would have said a month ago Tuffy II would not be with us anymore, we wouldn’t have believed it," they said. "It’s been extremely emotional.”
While the couple’s name was familiar to fans of the NCSU Wolfpack, Lisa said they’ve never before allowed news outlets to mention where they live. She said it all started about a month ago with a yearly physical at the vet; she had noticed he did not have an appetite and developed a cough, but she thought it was symptoms of kennel cough.
“Everything happened so rapidly," Downey said. "That we were shocked how a couple a weeks before that he was running around chasing, playing with his treats to being in ICU.”
His condition worsened, and she said he spent a week at NCSU ICU. Dr. Teresa DeFransceso supervised the medical team at NC State taking care of the beloved dog.
“We are unable to identify an exact cause; that being said most of the time the disease we believe has an inherited condition," she said. "There are also infectious inflammatory and nutritional causes.”
She says there are signs of heart failure of which pet owners should be aware.
“The dog will start to cough," she explained. "They pant a lot, a lot of panting, and just having trouble catching their breath."
Tuffy II came home Tuesday after they thought his congested heart failure was under control, but he passed away overnight.
“We really thought there was hope," said Lisa Downey. "Finally we there's hope, but unfortunately, it was just a long goodbye. And in the middle of the night, he was laying in a favorite spot and he passed away. Peacefully. I’m glad he was home with us, we loved him. They treated him well at the Vet school, but I’m glad he was with his family.”
The chosen breed reflects the heritage and history of the state, as huskies were originally bred for sled pulling in cold climates. Tuffy is specially trained to handle the noise and crowds of university events, and ensures that the spirit of NC State is showcased at every opportunity. The role of Tuffy has evolved over the years, from simply appearing at games to becoming a beloved figure on and off-campus.
Related: Father and Sister of Wolfpack Mascot Poisoned
Tuffy II had been on the sidelines as part of NCSU Athletics since 2016 until his death Tuesday morning.
“Unfortunately it was just a long goodbye," the family said. "Something devastating has happened, a silent disease has taken him, and we feel like we should share that with the public.”
While they might not know the exact cause of Tuffy II's death, Lisa Downey says she wants to spread awareness for heart failure in dogs.
“All we know is that our boy is gone, and it’s gut-wrenching. to lose him so quickly especially if it could have been prevented," she said.
Tuffy II was a Tamaskan, a breed that originates from Finland and was specifically bred to appear wolflike. The Downeys said he was 4.5 years old.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical costs and says any remaining funds will go towards dilated cardiomyopathy.
The Downeys are not sure if there will be a Tuffy III. While they did not say the door was closed, they say that right now, they need to mourn the loss of the beloved Tuffy II.
Tuffy II, NC State’s live mascot, dies following battle with heart condition
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Tuffy II, N.C. State’s live mascot, has died following a battle with a heart condition, the school’s athletic department announced Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we share that Tuffy II passed away in his sleep last night,” the athletic department said.
It is with deep sadness that we share that Tuffy II passed away in his sleep last night. Our thoughts are with the Downey family, Tuffy II left a lasting impact on the NC State community. pic.twitter.com/irvwd3hSfQ
— NC State Athletics (@PackAthletics) October 27, 2020
On Monday, Tuffy II’s owner, Joe Downey, posted on a GoFundMe account that the mascot had returned home with a new regimen of medicine.
Tuffy II was receiving treatment at the N.C. State School of Veterinary Medicine after being diagnosed with canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
The disease results in a decreased ability of the heart to generate pressure to pump blood through the vascular system, according to N.C. State’s veterinarian school.
The GoFundMe surpassed its goal of raising $10,000 to help pay for Tuffy II’s treatments.
N.C. State announced Tuffy II as the new live mascot in 2016 – taking over for his brother, the original Tuffy.
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Tuffy can be found at various sporting events, community gatherings, and even participates in charity events. The live mascot serves not only as a symbol of the university, but also as a representative of the Wolfpack community. The university takes great care in selecting and caring for the live mascot. Tuffy is carefully trained and socialized to ensure he is comfortable in various settings. Additionally, Tuffy receives regular veterinary care to ensure he remains in the best health possible. The university also has a dedicated team of handlers who work closely with Tuffy to ensure his safety and well-being. Being the live mascot of NC State is a prestigious and honorable position. Tuffy's presence serves as a source of unity and pride for the Wolfpack community, as he symbolizes the fierce and resilient spirit of the university. The live mascot represents the university's commitment to tradition, excellence, and community, making him an integral part of the NCSU experience..
Reviews for "Tuffy II: An Inspiration to the Wolfpack Community"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - The Nc state live mascot was such a disappointment. Firstly, the poor animal looked miserable and scared the entire time it was on the field. It's clear that it is not a suitable environment for a live animal. Additionally, the crowd was loud and chaotic, which only added to the distress of the poor creature. I strongly believe that using live mascots in sports events should be banned for the sake of animal welfare.
2. Mike - 2/5 stars - While I understand the tradition and spirit associated with having a live mascot at Nc state events, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the animal. It was evident that the poor creature was being subjected to loud noises, bright lights, and an overall chaotic environment. It's unfair to exploit animals for entertainment purposes, especially when it clearly stresses them out. I would much rather see a well-designed, inflatable mascot that does not compromise the well-being of any living being.