Must love dogs: For SU students, keeping a canine is labor of affection
For animal-loving students who have resorted to dog-themed computer backgrounds and have called home to ‘speak’ with their favorite animal, the comfort of having a personal pet at an off-campus residence can give that cold apartment the warmth of home.
But owning a pet is a job in itself. On top of the responsibilities of classes and extracurricular activities, owning a pet can be an added challenge.
The added responsibilities and costs haven’t prevented senior film major Bryce Shulman from adopting Stella, his chocolate Lab mix puppy.
‘I saw her sister walking down the street in Utica and approached her owner, who told me that a litter of black-chocolate Labs was up for adoption.’ That’s when Shulman knew he had to get one for himself.
Since adopting Stella, Shulman has been reassured in the small loyal community of college student dog owners at Syracuse. Making friends and starting conversations is an added bonus. Students who were once strangers now approach Shulman when he takes Stella out for walks. Seeing the 14-month-old puppy lolling at his heels, they are instantly attracted.
‘It’s a small community of dog lovers that stick together,’ he said.
When meeting members of the opposite sex, dogs can be essential icebreakers. Shulman said girls are drawn to him much more frequently when Stella is nearby.
Catherine Lambert, a wildlife biology senior at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, owns a terrier mix named Tavy. She remembers how her dog was a tool of flirtation. Her male roommate would take Tavy out for walks, deliberately walking in the direction of attractive girls.
‘The girls dug my dog,’ Lambert said.
Shulman takes pride in all the effort he’s put into training Stella. He’s even able to communicate with Stella, in a way. He can now differentiate her needs, like food or water. Shulman claims having Stella made him a more mature person. ‘She gets me out of bed on weekends, instead of sleeping in ‘til the afternoon,’ he said.
Other students use their dogs as a form of security. Lambert said she adopted Tavy with protection in mind.
‘[Tavy’s] alertful barks keep me aware of outside intruders,’ Lambert said.
Though owning a dog has its benefits, the hassles that come along with the purchase should make potential owners think before they buy. For starters, it certainly isn’t cheap. Shulman said he paid close to $500 in veterinary and adoption fees in the span of a few months.
Other problems are a little less sanitary.
‘The worst part is when owners don’t spray or neuter their animals,’ Shulman said.
Time is a huge factor in properly taking care of a dog. The general rule is the bigger the dog, the more exercise it needs, both in distance and time span. The field at the side of the Women’s Building is a must-go place for Stella and her owner to play catch. The field has safety benefits because it is a fenced-in environment away from the road.
Shulman and Lambert said Mills Rose Garden is also an escape for a romantic dog walk for couples, and Oakwood Cemetery along Comstock Avenue is good for long, thoughtful strolls.
Because they are graduating this spring, Shulman and Lambert are concerned about their dogs’ futures. They said they weren’t sure where their lives would take them, and if they would be able to take their dogs along for the ride.
Shulman’s and Lambert’s parents have offered to take care of the dogs while the students settle into their post-graduation lives. Tavy gets severely anxious when separated from Lambert, so she’s not sure if the parent-hotel option will solve the problem. Shulman and Lambert said this concern should serve as a warning before getting a dog, and both said they wished they had thought about the long-term commitment before adopting a new pet.
For the two seniors, having a pet of their own has provided them with extra love. Though it can sometimes be a hassling experience, it is also a positive and maturing one, they said. Each owner said the sacrifices, time, effort and money put into keeping their dogs happy and healthy were worth the effort.
‘At the end of the day, girls come and go,’ Shulman said. ‘But Stella will always love me.’
Published on September 13, 2010 at 12:00 pm
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