This is a guest post by TallahasseeScene’s Leanne Castro
Nothing reveals a person’s true colors quite like how he or she handles living alone. Some, like Henry David Thoreau, flourish in the aloneness and end up writing the book of their career. Others, like myself, handle loneliness a little less gracefully.
This summer I found myself having to temporarily move to North Carolina for a job. I lived in a creaky cabin tucked deep into the mountains, i.e. a place where no one would be able to hear me scream if I was inevitably attacked by one of the many murderers that “Criminal Minds” has taught me to believe are lurking around every corner. Now, I know from my panic-stricken late-night research (I heard a noise in my house and was certain the end was near) that the area I lived in has virtually no crime ever, certainly no murders. But, alas, I had made the ill-advised decision to spend my alone time after work watching “Twin Peaks” — a show about a girl my age being murdered in a woodsy town — and was convinced that I was fated to be the first murder victim in the town’s history.
Three weeks of unsuccessful attempts at filling my house’s silence with the sound of my voice belting “I Will Always Love You” and I cracked. I needed a companion ASAP or I was going to do irreparable damage to my psyche with all that worrying about being killed in my sleep (not to mention whiplash from constantly looking over my shoulder). So, I adopted a puppy. It was, in my mind, the only logical solution. My parents disagreed vehemently with my logic. Although my reason for taking on a long-term responsibility may have been borne of a short term problem, I truly believe that owning a dog at this age is a deeply beneficial thing. If you find yourself in a similar situation of desperately wanting a furry new best friend but being met with strong opposition, have no fear. Below is an irrefutable case for owning a dog in college.
Owning a dog keeps your spontaneity in check.
While unchecked spontaneity may sound like a good thing, the reality is that it sometimes leads to seriously considering skipping class to road trip from Tallahassee to New York City to see a band you have already seen twice that week. This is something I came dangerously close to doing in sophomore year. Owning a dog means that this wouldn’t even be within the realm of possibility. Where would my dog stay during the concert? What hotel would let me bring my dog? How much extra time would be added to the trip to stop and let my dog pee? Having something keeping me in Tallahassee (and, subsequently, nearly all of my classes) means that academia prevails.
Via: petsafe.net
Dogs demand exercise.
I will find any excuse under the sun to not exercise. Almost every other activity is more appealing than sweating, panting, and being in general discomfort. I will put exercise off for weeks and then wonder why my body feels so run down and tired all the time. Owning a dog has revitalized me. My dog is eight months old, which means she has boundless energy. If I don’t take her on our three mile walk every morning, she will go stir crazy at home while I’m off at work. Having someone who depends on you to keep him/her healthy ends up keeping you healthy too. Plus, seeing your dog’s uncontainable excitement about going on a walk will change your relationship with exercise. Hey, maybe taking basic steps to keep yourself alive isn’t so bad after all!
Financial responsibility.
If you thought my almost-trip to NYC for a concert was irresponsible, you should see how I spend money. When I worked at Gap, I’m pretty sure I didn’t end up making a single cent because I would immediately spend my paycheck on cute Gap clothes and convince myself that I was actually saving myself money because I was getting an employee discount. This was, of course, completely illogical and led to monthly panic attacks when rent was due and I couldn’t figure out who had stolen all the money in my bank account (spoiler alert: it was me). Having a dog means that I have to prioritize what I spend my well-earned money on. Sure, I could go out to eat yet another night this week or cruise the world of online shopping, but the reality is that dog food and heartworm medicine isn’t going to buy itself. Learning to put needs over wants is something that people our age struggle with but eventually have to learn one way or another. There is no greater positive reinforcement for putting your money in the right place than seeing a dog nearly shit itself with joy when you bring out the dog food you bought for it.
Via: poshpooches.org
Learning to Love Unconditionally.
This is a sappy one, but it’s true. Owning a dog makes you realize why our parents stuck with us through the thick and thin of dirty diapers and bitchy teenage years. When something depends on you to take care of it, a very special bond is formed. Sure, my beloved Ginger might sometimes pee on the carpet or try to eat other dogs’ poop, but the ways that she annoys me are the furthest thing from my mind when she is burrowing into my lap, trying to get as close to me as possible. She needs me and that knowledge means that I would do anything for her. I will love her no matter what, and the reality is that the ability to feel this about something is going to come in handy later in life when I need to love a baby despite all its crying and puking (scary but true).
I cannot encourage you enough to go out and adopt (for the love of god please do not buy a dog from a breeder—there are shelter dogs that need you) a dog. It will change your life. I know Ginger has already changed mine.
Featured photo courtesy of: baggbulldogs.wordpress
