I was wrong.

Last year, my first ever #ItMightMeanTooMuch was the story of Tiger Jake. I referred to him as “the painted Auburn dog” that has developed into a mascot of sorts for the Tigers thanks to a 3-step grooming process that’s done under the supervision of veterinarians. Owned by a passionate Auburn fan, Ron Sanford, the dog had become a popular fixture at events like SEC Media Days, Auburn Fan Day, A-Day and home Auburn football games.

That, I was right about. I was, however, wrong in referring to Tiger Jake is “the painted” Auburn dog. It’s not paint. It’s actually a dye treatment that he gets done once every 8 weeks.

As I learned at SEC Media Days in Hoover last week while talking to Sanford for my annual Tiger Jake update, the dye treatment is called “Owpawz.” Sanford assured that it’s PETA-approved.

“When the vets say, ‘He’s had enough,’ we’ll quit,” he said. “They say he should be good until he’s about 10 or 11.”

Tiger Jake will be 7 years old in August. That’s when he’ll begin another year as the unofficial Auburn mascot.

I know what you’re thinking. No, Tiger Jake doesn’t have a preference between Bo Nix and Joey Gatewood. He met and took pictures with both quarterbacks and based on his lack of barks when the subject was brought up, he believes either is capable of leading Auburn to a bounce-back season. Sanford agrees.

“I really think it’s gonna be a big year, either way. I don’t care if it’s Gatewood or Nix,” Sanford said. “I think Nix is really gonna bloom out, but I think Gatewood could be another Cam Newton. If he gets his accuracy right, I think he’ll be another great quarterback.”

While Auburn is entering a new phase after a down season in the SEC with a 3-5 mark in conference play and a 7-win regular season, Tiger Jake had a solid year on The Plains.

In the midst of the Tigers’ historic run in the NCAA Tournament, he got to attend Auburn’s Final Four watch party at Auburn Arena. He also was at every home football game, as well as the season opener against Washington in Atlanta and the game at Ole Miss. Sanford and Tiger Jake also made it up to Nashville for the Music City Bowl, where Auburn thrashed Purdue.

The 63-14 win was a highlight of an event-filled year for Tiger Jake.

“He loved that,” Sanford said. “People were taking pictures right and left. Every time they got a touchdown, it’s like he knew it. He just froze up.”

Here’s a question — were there more Auburn points or pictures taken with Tiger Jake?

“There were more pictures taken,” Sanford said. “But when he goes to the ballgame, everybody wants a picture with Jake.”

I can confirm that.

What the many who take pictures with Tiger Jake might not know is that he was a rescue dog who was found tied to a pool rope after 3 days without food or water. Sanford’s daughter, who runs an animal shelter, was alerted of the dog’s need for help. She called on her dad, who adopted Tiger Jake in 2014 and he’s been a family fixture ever since. Tiger Jake even helped Sanford get through the death of his wife when she passed in 2015 (Sanford said his wife absolutely adored Jake).

At age 67 rocking a walking boot, Sanford said the biggest issue he has is moving around for all the people who want to take pictures with the unofficial Auburn mascot.

Before Auburn games, he’ll be at J&M Bookstore or at the famed Toomer’s Drugs to take pictures for an hour or so. There are plenty of other various events that he’ll appear at. He’ll be at Auburn Fan Day on Aug. 10, where he’ll inevitably take plenty more pictures.

By now, it’s nothing new. Tiger Jake has been snapping pics with fans and Auburn celebs like Bruce Pearl — Sanford said he thinks Pearl wants to take Tiger Jake home — for the last 4 years. Well, he had his hair dyed to look like an eagle in that first year.

As for what’s next for Tiger Jake, his attendance for the opener against Oregon in Dallas is up in the air. He’s a registered service dog so traveling isn’t necessarily an issue, though Sanford doesn’t plan on making a bunch of road trips.

What’s Tiger Jake hoping for in 2019?

He wouldn’t mind taking more breaks from pictures to see Auburn light up the scoreboard.