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pet Students find companionship in pets, but also find extra responsibilities. BY LUKE DALEY peeves
They greet us with a cuddly nudge or a slobbery kiss in the morning. They wimper incessantly when they want to be fed. When they want to play, we clean up the mess they leave. Above all else, they drain our wallets of all monetary contents. For whatever reasons, college students feel the need to buy pets, whether because they're used to having one growing up or it just sounds like fun. Make no mistake though, pets are like children, just without the diapers. They require more time and money than you can plan for.
U-Haul Your Animal
Katie Watson's dog Macy did more than just cost her money and time; she caused a change of venue.
Watson, Sublette junior, was living in an apartment complex that did not allow pets. She hid Macy from the complex management, until one day she got caught. Watson says the landlord gave her a 30-day notice, with the ultimatum of either getting rid of Macy or moving elsewhere. She says she moved because she lives alone and wanted an in-house companion.
Watson moved to Highpointe apartments, 2001 W. 6th, because it allows pets. She says the move was worth it, despite an initial $200 refundable pet deposit and a non-refundable $200 one-time fee. Watson was glad to pay it to keep Macy.
Married With Children
Having a canine companion can provide as much mental anguish as financial
Roger Dietz, Lakin graduate student, and wife Cara decided they were ready for a pet. Dietz says the decision to get their mixed mutt from the Lawrence Humane Society was calculated, but problems arose.
He says that last January, the puppy
developed a bowel obstruction from a chewed up bone being swallowed and lodged in its stomach. The incident provided them with a scare for their dog's health and the cost.
Although their dog recovered, he estimated that the incident cost about $800 for the X-rays, medicine and overnight stays.
The Dietzs also had to pay a nonrefundable $240 deposit and $25 a month to keep the animal in their Naimmith Place apartment, but Roger says it was worth it.
"I really think anybody can be responsible enough to take care of a dog," Roger says.
Doggie Daycare
When exams and projects come swooping in, time becomes scarce and patience runs thin. Unfortunately, your dog doesn't alter his or her eating and bathroom patterns around your schoolwork. It may be time to call a puppy/kittysitter.
Home Sweet Home Pet Resort, 2140 Haskell Ave., specializes in taking care of dogs and cats when their owners don't have time.
The resort is more than just a closed-off cage. There are couches for cat-napping or dog-napping, an outside area with room to romp, televisions and radios to recreate the sounds of home and numerous bouncing rubber toys to chew into mush.
Tiffany Saturday, manager, says she has several student customers. She says most students who get a pet through impulse don't realize how much work it takes to keep their animal happy and healthy.
Saturday says that students don't realize having a pet is like having a child.
"George, stop. Lassie, sit down.' They
Sean Smith/Kansan
clockwise from top: Second-grader Heather Zaman of Kansas City, Kan., catches the eye of a Senegal in Pet World. "We have a rabbit, a gini and a ton of hamsters, and a dog," Zaman said. Segenal's usually are around $649.99. Sam Sutheimen, Lawrence High School senior, exchanges kisses with a Blue and Gold Macaw. This Macaw is about $1,500. Three small gerbils gather to watch costumers pass their home in Pet World.
think all they need is food and water, and that's not it,"" Saturday says.
Loosing Nemo
Finding out how much work goes into having a pet leaves some students looking
for an eject button. That's when Lawrence locals start finding reptiles on their front porches.
Leanna Henning has heard a few strange pet abandonment stories during
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thursday. september 25, 2003
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