Tater Tot, the English Bulldog

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A Social Media Superstar

Tater Tot, the English Bulldog, is one of the shortest and biggest personalities in the Foley area. He is 10 years old and lives locally with his Dad and Mom, Mike and Donna Vanderburg. The Vanderburgs are from a small town that is a famous ski resort called Mammoth Lakes, California. Donna said, "We were tired of the cold weather and six months of snow, so we decided to retire early to the beautiful Gulf Coast in June of 2023." The Vanderburgs were in property management for 30 years. Donna also had her own day spa and specialized in manicures, pedicures, and waxing. 

Tater Tot's quiet, loving personality, with his unique face, is a delight to everyone who meets him. He's a supermodel. People love to take photos of him. He loves the spotlight of attention from adults and kids alike. You can usually see him as a frequent visitor at the Farmhouse Market in Foley, where his mom sells her handmade hats. This past Christmas, he was the Christmas Mascot for the Farmhouse Market. He has become one of the cutest, lovable local "celebrity mascots" in Foley. 

Donna said they got the English Bulldog when he was a pup. She says, "He was the perfect Tater Tot." He is the second English Bulldog the Vanderburgs have owned. The first Bulldog died at 11 years old. He was a service dog and made hospital visits. His name was Pork Chop. Donna said with a laugh, "We are keeping the naming in the food group family." 

 "We are lucky to have Tater Tot," Donna says. "He is a lovebug who follows his parents around each room of the house. Loves to snuggle and thinks he is a lap dog, even though he is a roly-poly of 50 lbs." 

Donna is busy with crafting and sews and creates hats. Tater Tot loves watching her and tries to get in her lap while she is working. Donna says that Tater Tot is lazy and snores. "He sleeps at the top of my head, often with his jowls covering my eyes, snoring away."  But Donna says that she wouldn't have it any other way. However, it is hard for her to find any friends who will dogsit him because of the snoring.

So, the Vanderburgs take Tater Tot everywhere they go. Donna says that he travels well. He has been across the United States from California to the Honky Tonks on Broadway in Nashville. Tater Tot loves to sunbathe on the screened porch at home and enjoys "Tiki Time" on the driveway in his neighborhood, where he has his own beach chair and umbrella, along with a flamingo. He greets the neighbors and enjoys their attention. Donna says, "He is quite the ham."

Tater Tot has his own Facebook page, and you can find him at Tater Tot the English Bulldog. He has about 3,000 fans.