'Minnie' reasons to own a dog in college
By Lily Jackson | Lifestyle Editor
Your roommates and you may be close as can be. Your parents may be your personal cheerleaders. Your significant other may be overwhelmingly affectionate.
But, no one will love you as much as your college pup. Coming home to my wiggly dog bursting at the seams with excitement to see me is the best part of my day. I could have made an F on a test and you wouldn't know watching my eyes light up from seeing her toothy grin running at me from the back of my apartment.
Minnie Jackson, my black boxer mix, has become the ultimate best friend. She has a personality that resembles mine, she's hyper and moody and loves to make a scene at the worst moments.
When considering the adoption process, you must think ahead.
Where will you be in three years and will you be able to bring your furry child along? Plan on traveling a good bit? You must think about what type of arrangements you would need to make and if you have the resources to make them. The main question is, are you ready to commit to a life-long relationship with a dependent animal?
The decision to adopt must be taken seriously and thought out thoroughly, as we are referring to a living, breathing animal.
Once you decide you are ready to commit, join the hunt. Selecting the right dog for your lifestyle is crucial.
After you've chosen your forever friend, start training. One must not get lazy or slack-off on the training. Once you let a dog roam free and uncontrolled or instructed, those habits become engrained and you know what people say about new tricks and old dogs.
If you live with other people, make sure to inform them of what you are training your dog at that time. If consistency is present, your dog will understand, learn and obey faster.
As for roommates, keep in mind that it is alright to ask for help every once in a while. College students have days where they don't make it home very often and might need a helping hand. Don't abuse this privilege and remember that your dog is initially your responsibility.
To keep those friends happy, make sure you always have room freshening sprays and floor cleaner for daily, "Oops," moments and never leave a mess behind for someone else to find.
I have learned more about responsibility and my previous lack-there-of from owning and caring for my sweet Minnie. She has taught me so much and gives me more love and companionship than I could have ever dreamed. She has become a necessity in my life, despite loads of poop scooping and training mishaps. If you are ready, go for it and adopt a wiggler of your own. The support is unmatched.
My Turkish Van is my best fran'
By Anne Dawson | Online Editor
I'm a busy college student— I work two jobs, I take a full course load and I am very involved in my sorority. So while my life can be crazy and all over the place, the one constant thing that remains is my love for my little buddy, Punkin.
Having a cat in college is honestly the best thing ever. Cats are more independent than dogs, so I don't have to come home and take him to the bathroom or feed him at any certain time— he does all of that himself, but still waits for me by the door because he's missed me all day.
Not only is having a cat great, but having this cat in particular has been the biggest blessing. Punkin is a very rare breed— he's a Turkish Van.
If you know anything about Turkish Vans (which you probably don't) you know that they are the only breed of cats who enjoy swimming. Yeah, thats right, my little dude can hop in a pool and start swimming. It's quite amazing and I recommend googling it.
He also has the softest fur of all breeds, lives the longest, and has the biggest personality of all. Not to mention his rugged good looks. I basically hit the jackpot.
The thing I love the most about my guy is that he is so much more than the stereotypical cat. He doesn't just lie around all day and sit like a log, he actually has a personality.
Sometimes he's very sleepy so we cuddle for hours and hours, sometimes he's hyper so we play and chase each other and sometimes he gets sassy and decides he doesn't want anything to do with me. I never know which mood I'm going to get, but I love every one of them because it keeps life interesting.
These are all reasons why my cat and I are bffs, but the main thing that keeps my heart full is knowing that every night I get to come home to that fluffy little guy rubbing against my feet purring, as if saying "Hi mom, I missed you."
If you are thinking about getting a cat in college I say go for it. They aren't too much to handle, they don't require as much attention as dogs and they still provide a cuddle buddy for you on those long and lonely nights.
My best advice is to make sure you get a breed that fits you— it sounds silly, but the personality of your cat depends on its breed. So if you get say a Ragdoll, your cat will literally just sit there all day. But if you get a Turkish Van, you'll get a cat with many personalities. Just do some research, nothing too time-consuming, and make sure you know what you want.
Whatever you do, don't de-claw your little buddy. Cats have sharp nails and can mess things up, but take precautions ahead of time to help with this.
Put clear tape over door frames so they don't scratch paint off, buy a scratching post so they can get their energy out there and put tinfoil on areas they seem to be destroying to make them un-intersested. If none of those things work, they make clear nail caps to go over cats claws so they don't scratch. Take care of your friend and your stuff will be fine.
Thinking about a new pet?
First, ask yourself...
• Do you have the time?
Animals need and deserve a lot of attention. Before you adopt a pet, think about how much time you’ll be able to spend with them.
• Do you have the money?
Pets are expensive. Vet bills, food, medicines, cages, leashes, collars and treats all cost money.
• Do you have the space?
Dogs need lots of space to run and play, especially when they’re puppies. If you aren’t willing to take them on long walks each day, you might want to consider another pet.
• Is your house or apartment pet friendly?
Not all apartments allow animals, so make sure you know the rules before you bring your new friend home. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly living situation, The Social, 319 Bragg, The Connection, The Grove, Logan Square, Aspen Heights and Eagle’s West are well-know apartments that allow tenants to own pets.
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