Meet Effie, the Maltipoo who's practically the mascot of Jester West floor 13. Her owner, Kolean Gudalj, got Effie in April of 2015 and brought her along to UT after she learned that she could have a dog in her room. Kolean shares her experience with Effie below:
Would you say that Effie has been a big part of you meeting new people?
Kolean: Absolutely! She is more social than I am. If this were high school she would be the prom queen. She has helped me meet people I never would have talked to. All the Jester staff know her and stop what they are doing to play with her. Especially in the dorm, a lot of people keep to themselves but Effie is an automatic icebreaker. I actually see people look up from their phones when see comes around.
What kind of "accidents" has she gotten into, if any?
Kolean: I am very proud to say that she has had no accidents.
What's the most annoying/hardest part about having a dog in your dorm room?
Kolean: The most annoying part is living on the 13th floor with Effie, and not being able to just walk outside from my room. Also, when she brings boy dogs home and I have to sleep in the hallway.
The best part?
Kolean: The best part about having a dog in my dorm room is living with my best friend. School sucks a lot of the time, and especially when you live in the jail cell that Jester can feel like sometimes. But Effie makes my dorm feel homey. Coming home to her in my dorm is like coming home to a cheesecake everyday. Also, puppy naps are 10 times better than regular naps.
How often do you have to walk her?
Kolean: I walk her for an hour, five times a day. I’m thinking about getting a Fitbit for her.
How do you bathe her?
Kolean: I bathe her in the dorm shower. I hate giving her bathes. She fights me the whole time so I look like I jumped in the pool with my clothes on after.
Does it ever get annoying when people want to pet Effie all the time? Are there any times where you're in a rush and wishing people wouldn't obsess over her?
Kolean: I always love when people want to pet Effie. And even when I am in a bad mood, seeing people smile and [petting] Effie brightens my day. I do wish people wouldn’t rush her and ask me questions about her when I’m on the phone.
Do you always have to return to her after a night out? How long can she be alone without you?
Kolean: I never leave her alone for more than four hours. I plan my days around that.
Does she eat Jester Food?
Kolean: She eats Jester food all the time! She especially likes Jesta Pizza.
Where is her favorite place to do her "business?"
Kolean: She loves to go in the bushes. She jumps around in the bushes like a rabbit and does her thing there.
If you want to see more of Effie, follow her Instagram @effie_maltipoo.
