Dear reader,

I think we truly underestimate the power our pets have over us until we leave for college. 

Every time we glare at them for being too loud or tell them to get off our beds because they take up too much space is heavily taken for granted. 

When I was home for break, I couldn’t stop picking up every single cat in my house. I squealed at every sight of one of my pets, and I’m pretty sure my family thought I was a little crazy.

Every time my parents send a photo of them, I always have to save the photo before staring at the wall wondering how they could possibly be so cute, and my heart aches with how much I miss them.

Being away from my pets is probably one of the worst parts about being at college, especially not being able to cuddle something soft and furry as I have a mental breakdown from stress.

While I miss my pets every day, and I feel for anyone going through the same thing as me, I do have good news to share, and that is that we can still get our furry friend fix on campus.

Therapy Dogs in the library

Every month, the library hosts therapy dogs. Students can come and sit with the dogs and get some animal therapy.

UW-Eau Claire’s therapy dogs include: Luigi, Bella, Chloe, Coda, Madison and Nelson. Each one is so cute, and paying them a visit is the perfect way to relieve stress.

Therapy dogs will be coming to the library all throughout April, so check out the schedule on McIntyre Library’s Instagram.

Petting these furry friends is the perfect way to take a break from school, while also temporarily fixing your pet withdrawal.

Attend Bark Break

I was very sad to hear that Bark Break was canceled on March 31st due to the rain. I have been to almost every Bark Break since I started going to school here, and it’s one of my favorite things.

Faculty and staff bring their dogs to the campus mall. Students can walk around and pet all of the dogs, and maybe even feed them treats.

For this past Halloween, the dogs were dressed up in costumes, and it was the exact serotonin boost I needed. I definitely died from cuteness at least five times throughout the event.

Hopefully, Bark Break will be rescheduled in the next few weeks, so watch out for the new date.

Buy a bunch of stuffed animals

Sadly, I covered the two most accessible ways to get your furry friend fix on campus, but my final tip would be to buy stuffed animals and pretend they’re your pets.

I’m not afraid to admit that I probably have too many, but I love squeezing them when I miss my pets a little bit too much.

If you want to take it a step further, you can buy a pillow with a picture of your pet from The Pet Pillow. I think it’s the perfect solution.

While we miss our pets every day, we can still find ways to combat the ache. I know this was just the article you were looking for. I got you, don’t worry.

Lots of love and hugs of encouragement,

Skyler

Schad can be reached at [email protected].