Having a pet, paying the price

By: Stacy Smith/Activities reporter

Posted: 9/22/05

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."

Matt Pozezinski, a senior history major, adopted golden retriever/labrador/husky mix, Justice, nearly a year ago.

Justice was found at the Coles County Animal Shelter, Pozezinski said.

It costs approximately $41 for shots, food and then the shelter asked for donations, he said. However, the shelter makes new owners take the dog to the vet to get neutered, which costs about $95.

"It was expensive having her in the beginning because I was buying her all kinds of stuff," Pozezinski said.

"I would definitely recommend adopting, but it's good to get your parents approval before getting a pet," Pozezinski said. "She is one of the best investments I've ever made; I was here in the summer and I probably would have gone insane if she wasn't here."

Justin Hlazin, a senior communication studies major, is one of five roommates of Pozezinski's.

Justice is well trained and doesn't really get into much, Hlazin said.

"Everyone is really supportive and helps take care of her," Hlazin said, "She is always around, people watch out for her and share the equal responsibilities."

Liz Shields, a senior sociology major, had a black labrador and Australian shepherd mix named Beau.

Shields had to get rid of the dog because she said it was too hard to take care of a puppy by herself with a job and schoolwork.

Shields said she thinks students do not realize how much responsibility owning a pet can be because parents are usually the ones who take care of the animal.

A dog provides companionship, protection and exercise, but if roommates don't want it, it's hard to take care of and it costs a lot, Shields said.

"I can see a lot more people have gotten pets," Shields said. "You see people walking dogs all over campus."