POOCH HEADED TO GEORGETOWN

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Nathan and Rachel Hochstetler with Jack Jr., the new mascot for Georgetown University.

VALLEY CENTER — Marcus and Janice Hochstetler have a young celebrity in their family, Jack Jr., a bulldog.

The pup was recently donated by the Hochstetlers to Georgetown University near Washington, D.C., where it will become the school’s new mascot.

The Hochstetlers, both psychologists, who raise and show a small number of the dogs, have lived in Valley Center 14 years. They have six children, two of whom attended or are attending the university.

“This is our way of saying thank you for our kids’ amazing education,” Janice said.

Their son Nathan graduated in May, and their daughter Rachel will graduate in 2013.

The Hochstetlers attended Jack Jr.’s induction ceremony in April along with 2,000 other people at the university. He will eventually replace the college’s current 8-year-old mascot, Jack S. Carroll, who injured his leg this year. Until he takes over, Jack J. Carroll, also known as “J.J.”, is learning the ropes.

The class of 1964 made the bulldog the university’s mascot. They wanted to name him “Hoya” after the sports team, but the bulldog never responded to that name. He only answered to “Jack,” thus every bulldog since has acquired that first name with the last name of Carroll, after the founder of the college, John H. Carroll. Each dog is given a new middle name.

The Rev. Christopher Steck will be the mascot’s caretaker.

“The Rev. Steck flew out here and spent four days just getting to know Jack,” said Janice Hochstetler. “He takes full charge of him, and Jack stays in his apartment and sleeps on his bed.”

Jack, who has been on poster ads for Petco, comes from good lineage. His grandmother, Bryn, and his mother, 3-year-old “Treasure of My Heart,” still live with the Hochstetlers. His father is a breed champion.

Before Georgetown games, boosters bring out a cardboard box decorated with the opposing team’s logo. Jack Jr. has already had the pleasure of tearing it to shreds.

“He loves it,” Janice Hochstetler said.