Spring Break
Having a pet, paying the price
Stacy Smith/Activities reporter
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: News
Some students not only juggle schoolwork and jobs, but have other lives to take care of as well.
With landlord approval, some students living off campus have the option to own dogs and cats and therefore take on the responsibility of caring for the animal.
"Having a pet is like a full-time job," said Christy Tauber, a sophomore elementary education major.
Tauber decided to adopt eight-month-old German shepherd and pit bull mix, Roxy, approximately five months ago.
"I got her from a shelter on the way to Mattoon. The adoption fee is only $35, but they wouldn't let her out the shelter unless she got spayed, which is $70," Tauber said. "I also have to pay about $20 a month on food, $100 a year for shots and $20 a month on heart worm pills."
Everyone really likes her, but she gets into things, Tauber said.
"She ate my roommate's Christmas lights and my bed sheets and phone charger, she also ate 12 pairs of my sister's shoes." Tauber said.
Roxy is a lot more of a responsibility than Tauber thought she would be.
For instance, Roxy wakes Tauber up everyday at 9 a.m. and doesn't let her go back to sleep; the dog is always running around, she said.
"It's like being a mom; you have to keep your eye on her 'cause if you don't, she's going to get into things and there (are) always more things she needs to learn," she said.
But Tauber's dog makes her feel safe.
"I feel protected by having a dog in the house. I take her for walks a lot and she's a mean looking dog, people aren't going to mess with me."
When Tauber goes out though, she has to make sure that someone is there to care for Roxy.
"It is kind of a burden to make sure someone is with her, but it's not really that big of deal," Tauber said.
Lisa Guth, a sophomore psychology major and resident of Lindley Apartments, said she would not like to have a pet at school.
"I wouldn't want the responsibility to take care of it," Guth said, "I have too many other obligations, plus I have a dog at home that I love."
With landlord approval, some students living off campus have the option to own dogs and cats and therefore take on the responsibility of caring for the animal.
"Having a pet is like a full-time job," said Christy Tauber, a sophomore elementary education major.
Tauber decided to adopt eight-month-old German shepherd and pit bull mix, Roxy, approximately five months ago.
"I got her from a shelter on the way to Mattoon. The adoption fee is only $35, but they wouldn't let her out the shelter unless she got spayed, which is $70," Tauber said. "I also have to pay about $20 a month on food, $100 a year for shots and $20 a month on heart worm pills."
Everyone really likes her, but she gets into things, Tauber said.
"She ate my roommate's Christmas lights and my bed sheets and phone charger, she also ate 12 pairs of my sister's shoes." Tauber said.
Roxy is a lot more of a responsibility than Tauber thought she would be.
For instance, Roxy wakes Tauber up everyday at 9 a.m. and doesn't let her go back to sleep; the dog is always running around, she said.
"It's like being a mom; you have to keep your eye on her 'cause if you don't, she's going to get into things and there (are) always more things she needs to learn," she said.
But Tauber's dog makes her feel safe.
"I feel protected by having a dog in the house. I take her for walks a lot and she's a mean looking dog, people aren't going to mess with me."
When Tauber goes out though, she has to make sure that someone is there to care for Roxy.
"It is kind of a burden to make sure someone is with her, but it's not really that big of deal," Tauber said.
Lisa Guth, a sophomore psychology major and resident of Lindley Apartments, said she would not like to have a pet at school.
"I wouldn't want the responsibility to take care of it," Guth said, "I have too many other obligations, plus I have a dog at home that I love."
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