Bulldogging the Capitals from INSIDE THE VERIZON CENTER!!
Ovie is inside! (Ovie the Bulldog)
Supporting Dogs on Deployment at Military Night
For 20 Caps games I’d held down the fort on the bricks of F Street in front of the Verizon Center. Always just feet away from the “Promised Ice” on which our Washington Capitals skate during the NHL season. For 20 games, fans stopped, pet me, gave me cookies, got high fives, and took thousands of pictures while asking why I couldn’t go inside. But along the way, I captured the attention of the Dogs on Deployment crew and an idea was hatched. Would I be interested in helping them raise awareness for their cause? When you read about how they support our military and their pets, saying no is not an option. Jen Kelly of Dogs on Deployment worked tirelessly with the Washington Capitals to get permission for me to be on the concourse during Military Night at the February 4th Caps/Isles game.
So, for my 21st game? I GOT INSIDE!
What is Dogs on Deployment?
Military members nation-wide confront a multitude of problems during their careers, the last thing they need to worry about is their pet’s care during their service commitments. Dogs On Deployment is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner’s service commitments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency. Join Dogs on Deployment’s mission in changing the lives of our military members and their pets.
Hey, this isn’t my spot!
I walked my normal route through Chinatown, it’s a different walk this time. Dad has brought my “Support bag” filled with treats, water, bowls, and other items needed when I am helping charities out at expos. As we approach the other “Ovie Spot”, my spot, I go to lay down as I always do on my bricks. This time Dad is pulling towards the door, opening it, calling to me, “Let’s go inside.” We get inside only to be rerouted back outside to the Admin Entrance around the corner, the inner sanctum of the Verizon Center continues to elude me, albeit temporarily. I enter with the Dogs on Deployment crew and slowly enter onto the concourse. Is that a choir of angels I hear? Great memorable First Steps in history, Man walking on the moon, Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road, and now me walking into the Verizon Center for a Caps game. Ok, maybe a slight overstatement on the historical part but I will NEVER forget those first steps inside.
The Dogs on Deployment table is outside Section 110 and we quickly get setup and ready for the game. Then it’s time to see the “Promised Ice” of Verizon Center.
It’s BEAUTIFUL!
INSIDE THE VERIZON CTR! Come visit my outside Sec 110 THANK YOU @DogsonDeploymnt pic.twitter.com/gTwdMZc2Jw
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 4, 2014
I get tweets of congratulations and support, none more touching than one of my littlest Caps fans and friend, Carson, who has made his own Ovie the Bulldog. He does support signs for the Caps EVERY game to show his support for the Caps and his favorite player, Connor Carrick. Tonight, he is helping me support Dogs on Deployment.
Showing our support of @OvietheBulldog pic.twitter.com/tAoHGaPCVm
— Trish Edington (@hh6trish) February 4, 2014
The Caps Experience, a Bulldog in tweets
The atmosphere inside is awesome! Lots of the Verizon Center crew were the first to congratulate me in person. One gentleman who works the F Street entrance saw me and announced I’d been outside for a long, long time and was very happy for me. As the fans entered, it was game on for me!
Practicing my D just in case GMGM wants to sign me ;)@DogsonDeploymnt #LetsGoCaps pic.twitter.com/lW7lMqVB9X
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 4, 2014
LIVE FROM INSIDE THE VERIZON CTR! IT'S HOCKEY O'CLOCK! #LetsGoCaps #RockTheRed #CapsIsles @DogsonDeploymnt pic.twitter.com/thQ9zIUecy
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
@granthpaulsen If you're at Verizon Center, come outside 110 before warm-ups to meet @OvietheBulldog and check out #BulldogsForTheBrave.
— Tyler Duchaine (@tylerduchaine) February 4, 2014
https://twitter.com/firefghteremt08/status/430846381260296192
Sporting a #BulldogsForTheBrave T-Shirt!
https://twitter.com/Viclovesracing/status/430850187821862912
I saw @OvietheBulldog *inside* Verizon Center! #Caps pic.twitter.com/QXxgeiebvj
— Ann-Marie Ward (@AMMWardo) February 4, 2014
Free smooches from @OvietheBulldog at Section 110! pic.twitter.com/PlQQhuGjj3
— CapsCarny (@CarnyCaps) February 4, 2014
hangin with @OvietheBulldog pic.twitter.com/1EarNedSiI
— Michael Lanning (@Pivonkasghost) February 4, 2014
My buddy @OvietheBulldog Chillin inside the PhoneBooth supporting @DogsonDeploymnt pic.twitter.com/08Xw61ULNT
— Lindsay (@ljpg25) February 5, 2014
Got to say hello to my buddy @OvietheBulldog tonight! Showed him the new sign too! pic.twitter.com/pt1VALcQnq
— ✨🍁 Rachel 🍁✨ (@kat326) February 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/TheHornGuy/status/430858285206745088
Fame is exhausting, huh, @OvietheBulldog? pic.twitter.com/HUlmTbsZfD
— AL (@annasleong) February 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/CapitalsChick/status/430863057586507776
I think @OvietheBulldog might be the most popular "guy" in Verizon center tonight
— Alex (@Sm0ke0530) February 5, 2014
Hanging with my buddy @oviethebulldog. What a cool dude. http://t.co/hOcRAvDYua
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) February 5, 2014
Gotta love him, @OvietheBulldog is just too cute. @DogsonDeploymnt #BulldogsForTheBrave pic.twitter.com/eSykfPjo4k
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
Envious of everyone hanging out with @Oviethebulldog pic.twitter.com/6f44I3JpL4
— good tweet pete 🌮 (@peterhassett) February 5, 2014
@OvietheBulldog Forget that eagle mascot, that team just needs Ovie running around to get the crowd hyped up.
— John Evans (@Jtevans0) February 5, 2014
@OvietheBulldog welcome to the great indoors!!! #Caps #RockTheRed
— GetchaGrubbOn (@GetchaGrubbOn) February 5, 2014
Watching the game! #LetsGoCaps! pic.twitter.com/UooUHrmQTM
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
@lindseynotlohan Sporting her temp Ovie paw print tattoo! She kept throwing up gang signs yelling OTB ;) #NotReally pic.twitter.com/xeohPrMOl7
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Taking a break while the game is going on. pic.twitter.com/PRu4fkX7B8
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Yesterday I had the chance to meet Ovi's biggest fan @OvietheBulldog!! #soocute #MissDC #loves #Ovie pic.twitter.com/fEZqLXMRqp
— Antoinette Cordova (@MissDC2013) February 5, 2014
It was a pleasure meeting @OvietheBulldog tonight. He is the perfect gentleman. pic.twitter.com/9OzROuXUpO
— Tyler Duchaine (@tylerduchaine) February 5, 2014
#Caps Red Rockers Brittney and Michelle with @OvietheBulldog! Come by 110 and support @DogsonDeploymnt pic.twitter.com/eRlLJ4loiH
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
.@OvietheBulldog, dreaming wistfully of a #Caps goal in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/RI5fbNbmD3
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
I can't help but feel so happy when I see this dog. @OvietheBulldog pic.twitter.com/Pw4RXEyYuO
— Tyler Duchaine (@tylerduchaine) February 5, 2014
What the Caps fanbase looks like right now a la @OvietheBulldog pic.twitter.com/lUXa0gWS4n
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
Took time to visit with the @capsredrockers at their #couragecaps table! pic.twitter.com/1ba7LElfvu
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Caps Event Thanks to all! @DogsonDeploymnt @OvietheBulldog pic.twitter.com/9yH2WeKqza
— Bulldog Rescuer (@dmvbulldogsaver) February 5, 2014
Caps lost…so while I’m here
#caps fans come for loss therapy in section 110 @DogsonDeploymnt
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Post game getting ready to ride home! Bummed #caps lost but I met so many great people tonight! pic.twitter.com/FbPuoSzKGk
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Supporting the Courage Caps!
I gots #swag #couragecaps @washcaps @DogsonDeploymnt #BulldogsForTheBrave pic.twitter.com/4G7Qu3NJtG
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
Like a boss. @washcaps @OvietheBulldog Support @DogsonDeploymnt #BulldogsForTheBrave #Caps pic.twitter.com/cyY5bGo5vf
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
Love the Courage Cap on @OvietheBulldog! @TAPS4America @DogsonDeploymnt @MSEFndn @washcaps pic.twitter.com/39Bsz3E8vP
— teams4taps (@teams4taps) February 5, 2014
Special Thanks!
I want to give a special thanks to Lindsey Novak and Tyler Duchaine of Capitals Hill for hanging out, handing out flyers for Dogs on Deployment the entire game! Their help was greatly appreciated! Capitals Hill is responsible for bringing the #BulldogsForTheBrave T-Shirt to the public, design by Tyler Duchaine, proceeds from the sale of the shirt go to Dogs on Deployment, so please go buy one or six right HERE!
I wasn't kidding, @OvietheBulldog. It's on the fridge. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/stY9DG3O77
— Lindsey (@wreckoslovakia) February 5, 2014
The Person Responsible
An exciting day made possible by Jen Kelly of Dogs on Deployment! If there is one person who drove this plan, it was Jen. For months she worked not only with Dogs on Deployment but with the Washington Capitals organization to convince them it was a great idea and that I would not maul the opposing fans! Jen, thank you, you made the dream of many come true. You got me inside the Verizon Center and then thought you should be thanking me.
I got flowers from @jlmichaels as a thank you for helping out @DogsonDeploymnt! It was my pleasure to help! #THANKYOU pic.twitter.com/ULEWpBZ7xj
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014
So happy I could see all my friends, old and new! Here’s hoping the Caps turn it around and start a long win streak!
Licks & Slobber,
Ovie
Lights out for this bulldog! Thanks to @DogsonDeploymnt @jlmichaels for making tonight happen! pic.twitter.com/gpfVANVAE4
— Ovie the Bulldog (@OvietheBulldog) February 5, 2014