It’s said that all dogs go to a better place, and that’s where Hank, the legendary Milwaukee Brewers mascot, has gone.

“Our beloved Hank, known as ‘The Ballpark Pup,’ passed away today,” announced the Brewers in a statement Thursday evening.

This small, fluffy dog left a huge mark on the team and its supporters.

The story goes that Hank was a scruffy stray who appeared at the Brewers’ spring training camp in Arizona back in February 2014, coming in with an injured tail and a tire mark on his fur.

Reportedly, at the age of 2 or 3, this bichon frise mix brought a new spirit to a team struggling after a tough 2013 season. He received all the love and care from Brewers’ coaches, players, and staff.

“Throughout that spring, Hank was with the team during the day and enjoyed a cozy home at night,” the announcement stated. “Each day, Hank joined players for their workouts and greeted fans at games.”

The internet and social media were enamored by Hank, named in honor of the great Hank Aaron, who spent his entire big-league career in Milwaukee. Hank quickly became a beloved figure, capturing the hearts of fans not only locally but across the nation, making appearances on national television and being highlighted by People magazine.

His arrival in Milwaukee was celebrated with a gathering that included former Mayor Tom Barrett, ex-Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Brewers executives, television crews, excited kids eager to meet him, and a large crowd wanting a glimpse of the canine superstar.

Marti Wronski, the Brewers’ Chief Operating Officer, and her family took Hank in after spring training in 2014, providing him with a warm and caring home for ten years.

“Hank was deeply cherished by our family, and we are so thankful for the decade we spent with him,” Wronski stated in the announcement. “He understood he was rescued by the entire Brewers family, and he loved every fan – and every human – he met. We are devastated by his absence but thankful for the happiness he brought to so many and the attention he drew to animal rescue.”

When Hank first appeared at Miller Park in March 2014, fans started lining up at 4:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. meet-and-greet. By dawn, hundreds were waiting.

“It was like a March madness event, with one beaming person after another kneeling next to Hank for a photo. They exclaimed, “Oh my God, he’s adorable!” and “Good boy!” among other sweet remarks, as noted by former Journal Sentinel columnist Jim Stingl.

In his prime, Hank was the star of various merchandise, including bobbleheads, T-shirts, plush toys, locker name plates, buttons, bumper stickers, and pennants—all with his image on them. Six thousand plush versions of him were sold in just a few weeks, as reported by The Arizona Republic.

Through his merchandise sales and appearances, Hank aided the Brewers in supporting various charitable causes, including contributions to the Wisconsin Humane Society.

In January 2015, Hank was awarded the title of “Dog of the Year” at the CW Network’s World Dog Awards in Los Angeles, according to MLB.com.

“We thought it would be a simple 20-minute story on social media,” said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers’ president of business operations back in 2016. “The appeal of Hank is extraordinary.”

After that, Hank stepped back from the limelight to enjoy a peaceful dog’s life.

In 2016, a social media discussion sparked about whether Hank was still the same dog. Schlesinger confirmed that he was indeed the original Hank.

In 2018, Tyler Barnes, the Brewers’ Vice President of Communications, mentioned that while Hank hadn’t “officially retired,” he still made “seldom appearances” and deserved to live the life of a cherished pet.

For those who want to pay tribute to Hank’s life, the Brewers and Wronski family encourage contributions to the Wisconsin Humane Society or MADACC (Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission), as stated in the announcement.