Gene Lonsway and his dogs have been working with the world famous Durham Bulls baseball team since 2003. Over the years, he’s worked with Lucky The Wonderdog and Lucky Junior. Ace and Deuce, the newest additions to the Lonsway team, will begin working at the DBAP in the 2013 season, (if they pass their interview in the early spring.)
Lonsway and his dogs have appeared at the DBAP over 300 times. They have performed a number of different tricks on the field. The most popular, and one that all the dogs have known, is running the bases at the end of a Durham Bulls victory.
Keep an eye out for the new tricks in the 2013 season. Thanks to Deuce’s talents with frisbees and Ace’s propensity to be airborne, 2013 promises to be a very exciting year!
Check out Lonsway and his dogs on Facebook for updates on Ace’s and Deuce’s training as well as lots of current pics and stories.
Lucky Junior (mascot from 2010 – Current)
Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel’s Official Greeter & Durham Bulls Mascot
We are proud to introduce you to our pet, Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel’s official greeter, and the Durham Bulls mascot, Lucky Junior. Both he and his predecessor, Lucky The Wonderdog (ret) are owned, handled, and trained by Gene Lonsway, owner of Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel.
Lucky Junior began his career with the Durham Bulls on Friday June 11, 2010. Since then he has performed at all of the Durham Bulls weekend home games. The highlight of his performance (for him and the audience) is his victory lap around the bases after a Bulls victory.
Lucky Junior is a yellow Labrador Retriever. He weighs about 90 pounds and was born in late spring, 2009. He was acquired as a puppy from Donna Reece at Ridge View Labradors near Cleveland, Ohio.
To see lots more photos and videos visit Lucky Junior on Facebook!
Ace & Deuce (2013 mascots in training)
Our mascots in training are Border Collies named Ace and Deuce. The brothers were born on April 5, 2012. Coincidentally, that was the season opener of the Durham Bulls’ 2012 season.
What is a mascot in training? Well, in this case it’s a couple of dogs who are being trained to work as mascots, but who have not, as of yet, been “hired” by the team.
The Durham Bulls are aware of the dogs, and if things go as planned, the boys will have an audition in the very early spring.
It appears as though Deuce is going to be “the” frisbee dog and Ace is going to specialize in jumping tricks and ball tricks. We’re also working out a couple of tricks involving Ace and Deuce together.
We’re working hard every day and fully expect Ace and Deuce to be on the field with Lucky at the DBAP next year, but only time will tell. Good or bad, once we have our audition with the Bulls, we’ll let you know what happens.
(In the photos to the right, Ace is in the top photo and Deuce is on the bottom.)
Lucky The Wonderdog (mascot from 2003 – 2010)
Lucky The Wonderdog touching 2nd base at the DBAP
Lucky was known for his great enthusiasm. It didn’t matter what Lucky did, he did it with zest. In fact, sometimes his excitement level caused problems with his performance. It’s no secret that for the last two years Lucky did his victory lap he never once touched second base! He just couldn’t wait to cross home plate and get his ball.