So Your New UT Tyler College Room-mate has a Pet?

(Also, you have a pet.)

Last week our communications team-mate, Carver, offered great advice on the responsibilities behind owning a pet while going to college. This month I have endured a similar yet very different experience- introducing an existing pet with a new, younger pet.

*Please note that if you want to own a pet, you must be living in one of the campus apartments. No mammals, reptilians, crustaceans or ichthyoids are allowed in the dorms. Sorry, fish enthusiasts.

No Ichthyoids allowed

This story began last month. As soon as summer hit, I had an insatiable desire to get a kitten. And how does one quench the urge to adopt an adorable kitten? Well, for me it was simply to adopt a kitten. I’m not particularly patient, so naturally, there were a couple issues upon bringing my new bundle of fluff home that I hadn’t really given much thought. Namely, I hadn’t thought about the more established canine member of my and my girlfriend’s apartment: her miniature dachshund, Diesel.

Burnadette: fluffiness and cat-stealth

Deisel: spirited lap dog, barks a lot

  VS

Needless to say, having two pets (of different species, what!) was definitely awkward at times. Deisel didn't like having a new animal absorbing love in the apartment, and because he got really excited around the kitten, we had to separate them for several weeks, which wasn't fun for anyone. Knowing now what I should have known then, I can offer the following advice: ie, you have to keep reading to get the advice. *wink

Having a Pet at the University of Texas at Tyler

A pretty common question people begin to ask themselves as they begin to move into their own living quarters, like an apartment, is whether or not they want to invest in a pet.  I happen to be one of those individuals, and after much deliberation on the subject, I am proud to announce that I am a new proud owner of an 8 week old Miniature Dachshund puppy named Oliver.  

Fortunately for me, my family always had a thing for animals, and we often had up to 3 dogs at any given time, so I was pretty well versed in all of the basics of puppy care.  However, as I have quickly found out, there were many things that my parents did for me in terms of caring for the dog....