Spirited poodles have remained a tailgating tradition for 10 seasons

Upon meeting Tom and Nancy Hazlett, it's difficult to say which animals they love more — tigers or poodles.

Famous for their decked-out dogs, the Hazletts are no strangers to attention at tailgates. Nancy has been grooming messages into the hair of her standard poodles since 2001.

It all started after 9/11 when Nancy and her husband decided to shave "USA" into the side of their poodle, Been Jammin' On De Bayou — Ben, for short.

"Everyone liked that, so in 2002 it made sense for us to put LSU on him," she said.

Just in time for the team's national championship season, the family adopted another standard poodle in 2003, Makin' Roux For De Gumbo. Also known as RouxD, the 9-month-old pup joined the fandamonium.

Tom and Nancy attended tailgates with both dogs, Ben sporting "LSU" and RouxD with "TIGERS" spelled out on each side.

The Hazletts next added Ollie to the family, a third standard poodle, officially named Against All Odds.

"Ollie was born in the 2007 championship year," Nancy said. "That was the year we had two losses and got the championship game, so his name fits."

Ben eventually became too sick to fulfill his attention-demanding duties, and passed away in 2008. He left the showmanship to Ollie, who currently sports the letters "LSU."

Now 8-year-old RouxD and 4-year-old Ollie are participating in the Hazletts' 10th football season with costumed canine companions.

RouxD stands at about 29 inches at his shoulder and Ollie more than 25 inches, making them big for standard poodles. Nancy said this helps her clearly shave letters into their hair.

Tom said the pair travel with him and Nancy to each home game, to the delight of both Tiger and rival fans.

"It can get crazy," Tom said. "There's always lots of picture taking, and even people like Georgia or Florida fans want pictures of the dogs and even with the dogs."

After the first year, when Ben's coat first read "USA," Nancy learned how to do the grooming herself — a task that can total five to six hours per poodle.

"I never do it all at one time," she said. "I used to bathe them in the bathtub and shower or outside, but it was awful. When we moved [homes] we made a grooming room."

The grooming room contains a large bathing tub, an adjustable grooming table and an assortment of colorful and festive leashes, collars and doggie decorations, donned for games as well as visits to local hospitals.

Nancy said her pets have served as therapy dogs for about six years. She has taken them to visit people young and old in different facilities.

"I get as much out of it as anyone," she said. "Sometimes we'll see someone out when they're tailgating who has a child we've visited. People have said, ‘We can't tell you how much it meant to us to have the dogs come in and see our child.'"

Over the years, the Hazletts have participated in University celebrations and have posed their poodles with local celebrities from Skip Bertman to Mike the Tiger to East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden.

Nancy said they are especially looking forward to walking in the upcoming Homecoming parade on Nov. 12.

"Our kids and our money went [to LSU]," she said. "In 10 years it's just been a very good experience for the dogs and for us. Basically, it's just really fun."

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Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com