Summer is winding down and it's time to make the drive, take the Amtrack or possibly the tiny flight back into your college town.
But first, it's time to say to say a special inter-species goodbye.
1. Packing Has Begun
You know what the piles of boxes mean, but does your pet know? This brings about the larger question, do they remember the last time you packed to leave and therefore understand the larger implications of the growing disarray of clothes and items in your room? How far back can they even remember? The only solution to this is to hug your pet and ask Google.
2. Treat Yo Pet
A couple extra treats now can't hurt anything, right? Besides, who could resist those eyes?
3. Snap Star Pet Edition
It's only natural in 2016 to fill all your social media sites with the image of your fur baby. Besides, who doesn't want to see thirty different pictures of the cutest animal ever, right?
4. This Can't Be Real
Okay, so you are leaving soon but that does that mean you have to really leave your pet in a week?
5. Why Hasn't Anyone Made a Animal - Human Language Translator Yet?
Seriously, what's up with this? Who wants a flying car when instead you could finally talk to man's best friend? Granted, maybe all they would ask for is for is food or the whole, "I wanna be outside, I wanna be inside, I wanna be outside" debacle but at least you could explain what college is, why you have to leave and how this contributes to your growth as an individual. Surely then your pet would understand.
6. Extra Cuddle Time
The countdown is real and every time your pet comes over for affection you cannot deny them.
7. Promises Will Be Made
You ask each member of your family separately to take care of your fur-babies. They may deny your request for a blood oath but might take you up on a legally binding agreement.
8. You Promise to Skype and Call Them
So maybe your pet doesn't have a Skype account. But that doesn't mean when you are Face Timing your parents you won't casually ask to see your pets. Or that when you are on the phone you won't resist asking to speak to your pet.
"Hello baby, it's Mommy. How is your day going?"
9. No One Understands
"Are you sad to leave?" "Yeah, but I'm excited. I'm really going to miss seeing Bridget and Penelope though. And my family!" "Bridget and Penelope? Aren't those your dogs?" "Yeah...why?" "Um, no reason."
10. You Try To Explain to Them Without The Inter-Species Translator
Okay, it's a desperate attempt. You know it won't work. But you hug your fur-babies close and tell them about college and explain that you will be coming back for them. You're not sure how much actually gets through but you think they might not have taken the news well.
11. You Suspect They Might Actually Know
It's the day to leave. And your pets are running circles around your packed car and refuse to come inside, instead choosing to roll over as if to say, "Take me with you!"
12. The Actual Goodbye - For Now
Tears, tons of kisses, making sure to equally hug and love on your pets. They are your fur-babies and a more weathered, broke, but better you will be back for them.
It Might Be Hard But It Will Be Okay.
Just imagine how wonderful it will be to see them again!
For anyone whose pets provide emotional support and attends Humboldt State know there is a process to having your pet registered as an emotional support animal as well as different expectations for service dogs. However, as a forth year student at Humboldt State University, I would strongly recommend completing the process of registering your animal as a emotional support before bringing them up to Humboldt. It can be a very stressful and time consuming process and for the safety of your animal it is best to make certain it has a place to live.
There are also times during the year therapy dogs come to campus for students to pet and there is also the Companion Animal Foundation in Sunny Brae with cats!
