Mascot Handler Takes Reveille Home

Reveille, Texas A&M’s mascot, fluffs her pillow before she goes to bed at night; although she is prim and proper, especially in public, she still plays fetch. Cody Guffey, sophomore political science major, knows because he was selected to be her handler for the summer and the upcoming school year.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, but I feel really lucky to get to play a big role in A&M’s tradition, and I’m glad I get to influence the school by taking care of Reveille,” Guffey said.
Company E2 of the Corps of Cadets has a tryout process each year to select the mascot handler. Guffey was selected, and took Reveille home to San Angelo for the summer.

“The person taking care of her has the responsibility of feeding her, grooming her, protecting her from kidnappers and also making sure she gets to her events on time,” Guffey said. “I groom her about once a day, and during the school year she gets professionally groomed once a week.”

Guffey said Reveille is more playful in their one-on-one time than she is in public.

“Usually in public she is really calm and quiet, but once she gets to know you she will play fetch and chase you around,” he said. “We have a lot of fun together.”

Reveille is considered part of the student body, and is not allowed to be alone at any time.

“She goes everywhere with me,” Guffey said. “And if I go somewhere she can’t go, Co. E2 takes her places with them. Although I’m the primary caretaker, pretty much all of E2 plays a role in taking care of her.”

Hilda Guffey, Cody’s mother, said she loves having two Aggies at home now that Reveille is around.

“The more the merrier,” she said. “She’s just been great, and we’ve loved having her and sharing her with other Aggies. We can’t wait for football season and to bring her back to Aggieland.”

Hilda said Reveille has a unique demeanor about her that makes her a special dog.

“She is so calm-natured,” she said. “We had her around a bunch of kids taking pictures, and she was so patient with the little kids that were touching her and petting her.”

Evan Wasser, sophomore general studies major, is the assistant mascot corporal and will be living with Cody in the fall to help take care of Reveille.

“I began to realize it’s about getting her out to the school and giving every student a chance to interact with her,” Wasser said. “Being one of the few live mascots that lives on campus she is so accessible, and I think a lot of people don’t realize that. So I’m mainly excited for Cody and I to give other students the chance to interact and see the tradition she really is.”

Guffey said there is a lot of responsibility in taking care of something so many people cherish and love.

“I think the best part is the looks on peoples’ faces when you walk in the door with her and the happiness she brings to people,” he said.