Butler mascot Blue II has pneumonia

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler's lovable bulldog mascot is feeling blue.

Blue II informed fans through Twitter that he has been diagnosed with pneumonia and is being treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. He says the doctor expects him to mend quickly, and Blue II even returned to his doghouse, not Hinkle Fieldhouse, Tuesday night.

For now, Blue II will have to sit quietly as his successor, Blue III, makes appearances around town.

Bulldog fans long have enjoyed watching Blue II prance around Hinkle Fieldhouse, but he didn't put the bite on the nation's college basketball fans until Butler made its remarkable run to the 2010 NCAA championship game. Players routinely pat the dog's head during pregame warm-ups, and NCAA officials even allowed Blue II to walk onto the Final Four court in Indy.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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