Dogs Are Not Good College Roommates

I love spring on Ohio University's campus. Summer is in the air and everyone is in a better mood now that they can shake off the winter blues and cold weather. I also hate spring on this campus. It seems like everyone suddenly feels the need to get a puppy and parade it around on anywhere people might be able to "ooo" and "aww".

I understand that pull to get a dog when the nice weather starts. What's a better way to greet spring with a dog where you can run around, play catch or just lounge in the grass. .

But the novelty of owning a puppy can quickly fade, especially when you have to walk it, clean up after it, feed it, brush it, take it to the vet, and attempt to give the same love and affection it gives you.

When I see these puppies happily rolling around in flower beds, something tugs at my heart. Usually, that something is sadness and even pity. What happens to that little yorkie or dalmation when its owner moves out of his or her house at the end of the school year? Can it come along or is it shuffled to someone else's house or worse yet, given up to a shelter?

Owning a dog in college is selfish and ultimately hurts the relationship between canine and owner.

Perhaps I'm being too pessimistic and that dog will lead a happy life, but I think there are much better alternatives for college kids wanting to scratch that puppy itch.

Why not volunteer at a local animal shelter? These facilities can always use extra hands to take the dogs out to play  while their cages are cleaned. Even if you can't take that floppy-eared dog home with you, you are giving it an extra 30 minutes of love it wouldn't have gotten before.

If that isn't long term enough, what about using your place as a foster home? If you can't keep a dog long-term, providing a foster home allows for some dog to stretch its paws of out the shelter, open up space for another dog and give you a companion without worrying about what to do with the dog.

There are other animal alternatives too. What about a fish or cat? Either way, dogs are companions that need long-term, responsible care--not college roommates.