I have had my Italian Greyhound since she was ten weeks old. I got her on a frigid December afternoon in rural Nebraska, when she barely weighed 5 pounds-- a stark difference from her current, boisterous 10 pounds. Her name is Morticia because she’s a sleek black, somewhat spidery and very open about her sexuality- just like Morticia Addams. Morticia, or Morty as her friends call her, has complicated my life, but she’s also improved my overall well being.

Her hobbies include hunting fallen leaves, eating lint and listening to reggae music. We have so much in common. For example, right now I’m trying to type on my laptop, and so is she! I’m also trying to eat a banana, and guess what... She is also trying to eat that very same banana! Wow, we’re basically twins. Expect for how my friends like her better than me, and one of us is getting our ovaries taken out this month (spoiler alert: it’s her).

Having a dog in college may be a big responsibility, but so is just about everything else. My time commitment isn’t any greater than an extracurricular, a job or a having a significant other. The difference is that while some commitments are straining and unrewarding, having a dog is a constant blessing. Seriously, even when my dog does something annoying I still find myself forgiving her more quickly than I’d forgive a human, which probably says more about me, but that’s for a different article.

There’s something about dogs that has captured my interest from a young age. I’m constantly in awe of how they have humanistic features and yet a complete disregard for human norms, their diverse ways of communicating and how they can possess a keen insight into human behavior. It’s not a surprise that these animals are used for therapy pets; their ability to read emotions and ceaseless drive to make people smile is inspiring.

When I come home from a tough day at school, Morticia is there with her wagging tail and wiggly body, so eager to give me kisses, which (while probably highly unhygienic) is a great mood booster. Another benefit of being a dog owner is the joyous aspect of community engagement. I know it may sound banal, but when I take her for walks around campus and see how happy students are just seeing a dog, it makes me feel great. Students welcome the much needed respite from stressful school work and will even take pictures with her (can’t blame that, she’s adorable). Also, they almost always thank me afterwards, which I think speaks to the well mannered students of Macalester and also to the therapeutic powers of even a quick petting/cuddle session.

Another perk of caring for a small dog is that it’s relatively inexpensive, as long as you don’t let the veterinary bills rack up, and it’s much cheaper than a shrink. Obviously, professional therapy is useful and necessary treatment for many, but if you need a constant pick-me-up and don’t like talking about your feelings to other humans, then a dog is a great choice. Also, you can cuddle with a dog, whereas your therapist is usually less comfortable with the idea.

Dogs are amazing; there’s a reason they’re used to comfort people in retirement homes, hospitals, schools and other recovery communities like post-disaster relief. While I doubt my Morticia will ever be a service dog, I’m grateful for the positive influence she has on my daily life and the impact she can have on others.