14 APARTMENT GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008
PETS (CONTINUED FROM 12)
little," said Laur. "The cleaning supplies are the most expensive; he still pees in the house sometimes."
As for the amount of time needed for a dog, Sperry, a full time student and full time employee, leaves whatever time she has left to spend with Enzo and Conan. When she is in class or at work, Sperry places her pups in kennels as to prevent them from terrorizing her home while she is away.
Aside from time commitments and financial responsibilities, pet policies are another important consideration when deciding to get a dog. Many complexes, such as Laur's, require a pet deposit, a signed contract, and/or monthly pet fees. Also, limitations on the size of dogs are common throughout Lawrence apartment complexes. Laur's landlord demands that all dogs must weigh less than 25 pounds.
"The bigger the dog, the more damage they can do," explains Laur. "In Lawrence, it's hard to find a place that allows dogs over 50 pounds."
Check with your landlord or complex manager for exact pet policies.
So you have the money, the time, and understand your complex's pet policy. Now all you need to do is make a decision. Kelsey Fath, Topeka freshman, is doing just that. Though still weighing her options, Fath has a strong affection for dogs and wants a Pomeranian for
next year when she moves out of the dorms and into an apartment.
"I really miss my dog from home," said Fath, echoing Laur's reasoning for getting a dog. "I love animals, dogs in general, so I wouldn't mind taking care of it."
For those of you who, like Fath, are considering getting a dog of your own, Laur and Sperry offer a few words of wisdom.
"It's a pretty big decision that people need to think about pretty hard," said Laur. "It took me awhile to decide that I was ready to get a dog. You really need to think a long time about it."
Sperry said "understanding your responsibilities" is the most important factor in making a decision: being financially prepared and willing to dedicate your time to caring for your pet.
"Pets aren't for everyone, and they do cost a lot," said Sperry. "They need constant attention and care."
So before you run to the pet store or start flipping through the classifieds in search of the perfect pup, heed the advice given by Laur and Sperrey. Like they said, having a dog is a huge responsibility, and the decision to get one should not be taken lightly. Understanding such responsibilities is key to owning any pet, not just dogs, and will make your experience that much more enjoyable.
Kris Laur, Milwalkee junior, said the reason she got a dog once she moved into her Lawrence apartment was that she found herself missing her dog at her home. She said it was a big decision to get a pet and that it took her a while to make it.
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN