The pet question

Owning a pet is a huge responsibility.

Don’t get me wrong, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

But take my advice: College is not the place to do it unless you are ready to make some sacrifices.

Flash back to sophomore year. I was living in an apartment that didn’t allow pets, but for some reason I thought it would be a great idea to adopt a dog from the Humane Society.

Her name is Rosie, and she is an 8-pound Parson-Russell terrier, a breed known for its energy and stubborn disposition. These were the beginning of my problems.

Soon, my landlord found out and threatened to evict me. But I found a way around it by letting the dog outside through the back window instead of the front. It worked, but it was unfair to her because of the large amount of time she had to spend indoors.

Because of my choice, I risked being evicted and constantly had to hide the fact that I had a yappy little terrier living in my small two-bedroom apartment. After that year, I had to look for apartments that were pet-friendly, limiting my housing choices and forcing me to settle for living a sizable drive away from campus.

Money is also a very important factor in raising a pet.

Veterinarian visits, rabies vaccinations, pet food, toys – all of these things are essential, and you must be ready to spend an ample amount of money to keep your pet healthy and happy. All of these sacrifices pale in comparison to the commitment that has to be made with your free time. The ability to be spontaneous is a thing of the past.

Forget taking trips that are more than a few hours long because you have to be back in time to take your pet out. Walks are important with high-energy dogs.

Not all is negative. You will never find a better friend. I always have someone to share my food with, I never have to clean my plate; my feet are never cold because she likes to lay on them while I take a nap; there is no better running buddy, and she is always there to greet me when I get home.

You can’t replace these things, and I would not want to live without her.

All and all, it was probably a bad decision, but I am glad I made it. Nothing is more rewarding than giving a shelter dog a second chance.