Volume 124 Issue 133
kansan.com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
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CAMPUS & TOWN
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A MAN'S BEST FRIEND or BIGGEST BURDEN? The good and the bad things about being a full-time pet owner and a student
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Jack races down the street on his leash, pulling his favorite human companion, Adrienne Mather, a sophomore from Olathe, along as they go on a run. Jack, a black Labrador mix, is excited about getting some exercise after spending his day in Mather's apartment while she was in class. Mather takes Jack running a lot, especially since the weather has been nice.
At first, Mather thought bringing Jack to Lawrence from her parent's house would become a hassle, but she says he's an easy dog. It doesn't take long to take him out in the morning and he adapts well to new surroundings. "The only bad thing is that he gets into the trash and drags it into my roommates room, but he gets into the trash at my parents house too," she says. Jack gives Mather a sense of protection living in the apartment.
"College students make good pet owners just like anyone else," says Dori Villalon, director of the Lawrence Humane Society. "There's a myth that the Lawrence Humane Society picks up pets that college students leave behind on the streets, but that's not true."
Villalon says college is a good time to have a pet. Some students have set schedules, making it easier to find time to care for pets, and an animal that usually roams the entire living space, such as a dog or cat, may enjoy an active house with a lot of roommates.
Students should consider these factors
before bringing a pet into the home, to make sure the pet fits their lifestyle. Villalon says it's hard to find landlords that allow pets, so that might restrict where pet-owners can live. Pets may limit travel opportunities during breaks. There are extra costs, such as pet food or veterinary bills, to owning a pet. Nakai Marr, a junior from Lawrence, owns seven pets: a Rottweiler, a cat, a California Kingsnake, two box turtles, and two tortoises. She spends up to $500 each month on all seven of her pets combined. "Money is the biggest shocker to any college student. If they live off their parents, then they need to realize the expenses of having a pet quick, if they want to get a pet," she says.
Matt Sanderson, a senior from Overland Park, owns a Doberman and a cat. The Doberman, Aiden, has a lot of energy. Sanderson says if Aiden doesn't get enough exercise, he turns into a nut job. "He needs at least one walk a day. Once he goes on a walk, he's chill," says Sanderson. Taking care of Aiden is the biggest challenge because Sanderson must balance it with school and work, his top priorities.
He lives in Overland Park half of the week and takes Aiden with him, but leaves his cat, Khloe, at his apartment in Lawrence because she doesn't need as much attention as the dog. His roommates don't have a problem helping out
to take care of Khloe when he's gone. Despite the stress he sometimes feels from being a pet owner and student, Sanderson enjoys the company of his pets. "Honestly, the cat is a stress release and I know it's cheesy, but a dog really is a man's best friend," he savs.
Sometimes students realize too late they aren't ready for the responsibility of being a pet owner. Emily Strom, a senior from Evanston, Ill., adopted Nala, a Labrador mix, from the Lawrence Humane Society at the beginning of the school year. Strom realized she didn't have the time to care for Nala, and wishes she waited to adopt a dog because of the expenses and time commitment they can require. Luckily, Strom was able to find a better situation for both her and Nala—living with her parents as the family dog.
If you miss having a pet while in college and need a pet fix, you can volunteer at a humane society. Kathy Maxwell, director of business affairs and adoption services at Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka, says volunteering is a also good way to get to know different animals and figure out what kind of pet works for you. "If college students are wondering if their lifestyle can accommodate a pet, they should volunteer first," she says. If you don't have an hour a week to volunteer, then you won't have time to take care of a pet.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE HOWARD
Be a Pet Foster Parent:
The Lawrence Humane Society encourages college students to become foster care volunteers. Students have the chance to take in mother cats with kittens and sometimes dogs. Students raise the kittens until they are ready for
adoption. The Lawrence Humane Society provides food and everything needed to care for the animals. Volunteers don't need to have any experience and the Lawrence Humane Society has training sessions open to new and current volunteers.
winning a conference championship, clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament twice and winning 30-plus games in seven of nine seasons. The Jayhawks' two trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2009 doubled the number of appearances they made at the tournament in the 100 years before Price's arrival.
Price significantly changed the baseball program's fortunes during his tenure, but is it time for a new direction?
As long as the Texas and Oklahoma schools are in the Big 12 conference, Kansas probably won't find themselves atop the Big 12 standings, but they shouldn't find themselves last in the conference either.
Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger is serious about revamping the Kansas football program because it's a cash cow, but if the baseball team's struggles continue, he should make an effort to revitalize the program.
Kansas baseball is a tough sell for high school recruits who are searching for a program that can prepare them for the major leagues.
Wide receiver Marquis Jackson evades a tackle in a game last season. After having a chance to watch his team, coach Charlie Weis is making some changes to his line-up during spring practices.
Edited by Jeff Karr
KATHLEEN GIER
kgier@kansan.com
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
After two weeks of spring practice, football coach Charlie Weis has had a chance to look at the team and has mixed feelings about what he has seen. He beamed about quarterback Dayne Crist during yesterday's press conference, but noted lingering questions about depth at positions across the board. This is a time for adjustment in the university sports scene, and his football team, which is preparing for its first season under a new coach, is no exception.
The team is also adjusting after losing leading rusher James Sims, who has been suspended for the first three games of the season following a DUI arrest. But Weis will keep him productive while he is gone.
"We going 'to have the best show team running back in the country," Weis said of Sims' new role of preparing Kansas' defense for opponents in scrimmage. "The only way to not get rusty is to go over there and run show team."
moving sophomore wide receiver Marquis Jackson over to running back during spring practice, Jackson adds size and a physical element to the position that Weis has not seen from other players.
At the running back position, the Jayhawks have sophomore Brandon Bourbon, sophomore Tony Pierson and Sims. That leaves a deep roster at wide receiver with six options for Kansas.
One way Weis is adjusting is by
Weis said the Jayhawks would focus on getting Pierson more touches this season, but there is a challenge because he and running back coach Reggie Mitchell have to discover a balance to keep him productive, but fresh and injury free for the 13 game season.
"You are in a catch-22 now, because every time he touches the ball, he has the chance to score a touchdown," Weis said.
That is where the other ball-carriers will support Pierson and keep the offense moving forward.
That depth and versatility gives the coaches the ability to keep adjusting throughout the season to keep the ball with the hot hand.
They can tap their helmet when they want to go out, but I will wave them back in," Weis said. "You can get a break after you score."
Currently, training is a balance between weight-lifting for maintenance and conditioning. After
"I don't care how tired they get.
practice, Weis plans gassers, which is an attempt to increase the team's stamina.
"You can't play this game without having stamina," Weis said. "That is true on both sides of the ball and special teams."
10.9
The focus will be on short-burst running and weight training to prepare the Jayhawks for a tough and physical Big 12 season.
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— Edited by Corinne Westeman
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