One of the hardest parts of leaving home for the dorms is leaving behind the most important person in your life. And by most important person, I obviously mean your dog. Getting used to not having your number one pooch in your life 24/7 can take some getting used to. This highly scientific article explores this period of adjustment using the method known as the Kübler-Ross model, or more commonly, the five stages of grief.

1. Denial. In this stage, the victim or survivor tries to convince themselves that a different, preferable reality exists. Symptoms of this stage may include:

• Ignoring your emotions about the fact that you only have two weeks left with your favorite fur ball.
• Putting off packing so you don't have to think about leaving.
• Saying things like, “This can't be really happening. What monsters would take away the one thing in my life I actually care about?"
• Making up arguments to support your denial, such as, “once they see how cute Lola is, of course they'll let her stay in my dorm!"

2. Anger. In this stage, the individual comes to term with his or her denial, recognizing that it is not a sustainable model. This leads to intense anger, scapegoating, and self-questioning. Symptoms of this stage may include:

• Calling the housing department to yell at them for their pet policies. “We can't even have a fish? What kind of health hazard is a fish?"
• Shaking one's fists dramatically at inanimate objects and cursing the skies. “Why me?"
• Poking air holes in suitcases in an attempt to smuggle the animal in.
• Arbitrarily blaming passersby. Trying to gain awareness for your plight on social media.

3. Bargaining. In this stage, the individual inherits a notion that grief can be avoided through compromise or exchanges. These negotiations are usually made with a higher power or outside observers. Symptoms of this stage may include:

• Promising anyone who will listen that you'll maintain a 4.0, if they'll just let you bring your dog.
• Asking your parents if you can move into an apartment so you can take them with you, then realizing that almost no college apartments are pet friendly.
• Trying to con your parents into longer Skype sessions with your dog, weekly visits, and/or hourly Snapchats.

4. Depression. In this stage, the individual becomes lethargic, sad, unmotivated, silent, and may isolate him/herself. Symptoms of this stage may include:

• Skipping class to FaceTime with your dog
• Asking questions such as, “Why am I even at college if I can't be with my dog? What's the point of a degree in history if I know what I'm really passionate about? I could make a living as a professional dog snuggler, right?"
• Refusing to wake up because your don't have your puppy to give you good morning kisses.

5. Acceptance. In this stage, the individual starts to see hope in the world, and slowly comes out of depression to embrace the things that are still good in life. The individual seeks out comfort, plans for the future, and accepts that which cannot be changed. Symptoms of this stage may include:

• Seeing classmates and friends talking about missing their dog and realizing that you are not alone. This begins a stage of excessive over-sharing of dog pictures and stories.
• Looking forward to the age when you are old enough to take care of a dog by yourself. How old is that, anyway?
• Planning trips home to see -- your dog. We all know who you miss most.
• Going crazy when you see dogs out in public, like, embarrassingly crazy.
• Seeking out places where you can see dogs and volunteering at dog shelters.
• Realizing that seeing your best friend is that much better when you've been away for four months.
• Treasuring every moment you spend with your furry buddy.