Georgia football mascot Uga VII could have a private funeral in Athens before Saturday's game.

The four-year-old white English bulldog died Thursday morning of heart problems at his Savannah home.

This was only his second season on the Georgia sideline.

This particular mascot was named “Loran’s Best,” after well-known football reporter Loran Smith.

The dog made his first appearance at Sanford Stadium in August, 2008, before a game with Georgia Southern.

Some of the mascots have been prominently featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated, Time, and Newsweek, and in several movies.

The previous mascot, Uga VI, died of heart failure after a nine-year reign.

He and the other mascots are buried in a corner of the stadium.

UGA officials are finalizing his burial details and he could be interred at Sanford Stadium in Athens before Georgia hosts Kentucky Saturday evening.

Work on selecting his heir, the future Uga VII, will begin soon.

Tags: Bulldogs, Georgia Bulldogs, Uga VII, Sonny Seillor, Loran's Best