The former First Lady of Aggieland passed away Thursday morning.
The 70-pound purebred was admitted to the Small Animal Clinic at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences on Tuesday morning and had emergency surgery that afternoon. Caregivers said Reveille VII seemed to be recovering well from pneumonia-like symptoms on Wednesday and that the Thursday downturn was sudden and unexpected.
"Up until Tuesday morning, she was very healthy," Eckman said. "There were minor medical problems, but overall she was very healthy and had a good quality of life. It came on very suddenly, and she had a whole team of doctors here working on her, but in the end the best decision was made for her."
Eckman said large dogs like collies typically live about 12 to 15 years.
Reveille VII's immediate family, caregivers Tina and Paul Gardner of College Station, said she was beautiful and at peace when she passed.
"We've been married 46 years, and we've always had at least one dog, if not two," said Tina Gardner. "Each dog, just like each person, has its own personality. She really was a hoot. She was the most loyal, loving dog. She never ever once had it to where she was not the queen, the first lady and had a regal look about her. She always carried herself that way."
To thousands of Aggies, she was a former five-star general and the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. To the Gardners, who took care of Reveille after her 2008 retirement, she was a loving and caring pet. She wasn't too fond of lawn mowers, golf carts or skateboarders, but was clever and a big fan of food. She even swiped some candy and people-food she shouldn't have a time or two.
"She was a great eater," Gardner reminisced.
Reveille VIIloved being a part of the Aggie family, Gardner said, but acknowledged that the public appearances and job duties were sometimes stressful for the former mascot. The retired life, she added, was much more relaxing.
"If you think about it truly, that's not a dog's natural life," Gardner said of the mascot's former duties. "It got too stressful for her, and that's why she got retired at a younger age. She was with us one or two days, and there was a noticeable difference."
Gardner choked up a few times when talking about the beloved pet and said that she appreciated the outpouring of support from the community and the university.
"We loved her so much," Gardner said. "It was a prestigious honor to have her in our home."
Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez, commandant of the Corps of Cadets, said the death was a loss felt by the entire Aggie family.
"She represents our school, our tradition and what this university is all about," Ramirez said. "Anytime we lose a Reveille, it's a significant emotional event for all of us ... For those of us who are Aggies and wear the ring, it's like losing a member of our family."
Most details about the memorial service are unknown, but Reveille VII will share a view of the Kyle Field scoreboard for each home football game, along with the former Reveillesburied at the north end zone. Gardner said Reveille VII will likely have a full military funeral at Kyle field, similar to her predecessors, and that the memorial might be held in the fall, when students return from their summer vacations.University officials said memorial service details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
