Does This Make Anyone Want to go Back to College?

[Leslie and Halas]

I just saw this article.  I think it's pretty cool.  College would have been even better with Halas around.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/education/06pets.html?pagewanted=...

[Camilla and Darwin]

It's true that most reputable breeders or rescues I have seen, usually have a policy of being 21 or older. If not a policy, at least a preference. Although, I got Darwin when I was 20, and in college. I like to think I'm a responsible pet owner, and of course, Darwin is neutered. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Camilla, I continuously forget how young you are! You are definitely a responsible pet owner and wise far beyond your years. I think you, like Jackdoodle and my own daughter, may just be what we lovingly call "an old soul"!

[Camilla and Darwin]

LOL!

[Amanda and Quinn]

Oh yes, this brings make memories of the malnourished golden retriever at my boyfriend's frat house and the Husky that supposedly one of the guys had stolen from a Phish concert. I hate to think of what happened to those dogs.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Same memory here....there were a few "frat house dogs" (of the canine variety....many of the human variety) who literally lived off the left over pizza in the boxes that were left all over the house. I was too young to realize then how poorly they were being treated....now when I think about it I feel awful. I'd be willing none of them were ever "taken home" to Mom and Dad...probably ended up with the Humane Society.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I am in college, and I wish college housing here in Utah was dog friendly! Living off campus is fine... but not as convenient!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I don't remember any frat dogs when I was in school. I don't think anyone I know had a dog - too busy partying!
But seriously, I think I must have quite a dog-loving circle of family and friends. My sister brought her chihuahua home when she was a Sophomore in college- Charley is the love of her life and is the reason I got Taquito. There are only two times when she left him behind with my folks. One is when she studied abroad in England - Chuck stayed with mom and dad, who loooove him. He is also living with them currently while she settles into her new life in Dallas (living with my aunt and uncle who have a dog on bed rest recovering from surgery for 3 months or she would have brought him). Mom will deliver him to her in 2 months. That's love.
My best friend adopted a very sick min pin in college. That dog is still around and was recently rescued from her flooded house along with her "little" brother and sister. She is the "oldtimer" of her group now :)
But I agree the majority of college kids might not be able to care for a dog the way they should. But there are others that just love dogs that much and would do whatever they can to keep them well cared for. Kinda like Camilla (and Darwin)!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

I saw this article today as well! SOOOO cool!

[Doris]

My son attends Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Students are not allowed to bring pets from home, but some students are accepted in a program to train dogs to work with handicapped people. The students have the dogs on campus with them for one year. The dogs attend classes, go to the dining hall and many other events so they are accustomed to many different situations. I think this is a wonderful opportunity!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Agreed, but that's a different issue. Those students are in a supervised program and must be accepted into it, no doubt under very rigorous scrutiny.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My son often takes our Springer to college with him. Gordie, our Springer, walks around campus with him, sits in the classes and helps the guys play ultimate frisbee on the campus green. I think that the main reason there has never been a problem with Gordie's visits is that one of the professors on campus has an old Welsh Spaniel who roams the campus. I think that people believe that Gordie is that dog and that our son is watching him or something. Lucky son, lucky dog. When our son has Gordie, he sleeps across the street in a house rented by a bunch of other guys.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That sounds perfect to me. Gordie gets a little vacation and your son gets some quality canine time!