Flashback to finals week. The scene: various dogs and a bunny are scattered about, frolicking in the grass. Onlookers from all angles ooh and ah, filled with an instant affection for the critters. Survey any of the students stopping by to pet these animals and I guarantee you will hear more than once the common phrase: "I just miss my pets so much!". It is no secret that one of the drawbacks of college is that it's No Pets Allowed. And while many of us may wish we were able to smuggle our beloved creatures into our bags and take them to live in the dorms with us, summer provides college students with time for a reunion. Now that summer is in full swing, it's time to reflect on just how important our pets really are to us as college students home for break. Here, I present to you the four major reasons why your pet has (possibly unknowingly) become your best friend this (and every) vacation:
1. You Missed Them
First, the obvious. We all miss our pets when we're forced to be away from them for a long period of time and it makes us extremely happy to be able to see them again. Of course, summer is filled with a lot of fun things to do, such as trips to the beach and pool, time with friends, or an exciting new job, but let's be honest here - one of the most exhilarating things about school breaks is the chance to spend as much time as we want with our animal companions. At last, after all that time you spent gazing lovingly at dogs being walked through campus by strangers and imagining they were your own, you are finally able to unleash the months' worth of pent up love and affection you have been saving! Don't even feel bad if you totally accidentally bypassed your parents and siblings in a mad dash to make it to your pet when you entered your house for the first time after move-out day. After all, family members can text and call to keep in touch with you, but pets cannot.
2. They Missed You
Coming home from college tends to bring on a surge of attention, as everyone is interested in knowing how you like school, if your classes are going well, etc. Eventually, however, you finish filling your curious relatives in with the basic overview of your semester and catching up your friends on all the newest gossip pertaining to your life. Soon, the initial rush of having you back dies down and it almost feels like you've been home this whole time. Cue your pets to make you feel this welcoming and oh-so-flattering feeling of joy that you are back long after everyone else has forgotten you ever left. If you have an animal that likes to greet you whenever you step inside, you will notice that pets don't seem to differentiate between an extended absence and a short one. They treat every little trip you make like a major voyage and welcome you back each day as if it is the first time seeing you in ages. It makes the experience of being home ten times more welcoming knowing you have boundless excitement of your return waiting for you every single time you walk through the door. And as an added bonus, your pets promise not to pester you with those good-natured but still dreaded "so have you decided what you wanna do with the rest of your life yet?" inquiries most of us know all too well. They're just happy you are here, no questions asked!
3. They're Always There for You
The older we get, the busier we get. For many college-aged students, summers of sleeping excessively and lounging in the sun are replaced with summer classes, jobs, internships, and more. Sometimes it can be hard to find time when you and your friends are all free to get together. Countless hours are spent reviewing schedules and looking for time off just to coordinate one hangout. The good thing about having pets is that they are basically completely dependent on you, their owner, to set their schedule. Stuck at home while all your friends are jet-setting to various locations around the globe? Don't worry! You've still got your pet to laze around the house with you. Do you have a supercharged work - load that leaves you busy most practical hours of the day? Small animals never really had logical sleep schedules anyway, and will keep you company while you're just trying to unwind after a night of working late. No matter what your schedule looks like this summer, pets are the one thing you can always count on to spend time with you whenever you want.
4. They Haven't Changed a Bit
College is a time for change. All around us things are changing, from our lives to our peers to ourselves. While this is an important and good thing, sometimes it can be a little tough coming back home and remembering that life goes on even though you aren't around. Your relationship with your pets, however, is one that will remain unchanged through the tests of time and distance. No matter how long you and your pal are separated, you can rest easy knowing that after every long school year you will endure apart from each other, they will always be just as happy and excited to be with you. From adventuring together in the woods to just curling up on the couch, your pet will gladly do all of the activities you guys regularly do together, providing a little bit of constancy in such a hectic time. Being away from our furry friends just makes us appreciate their unconditional love that much more.
