Have you ever envied your friend who had their dog living with them in college? Did you ever wish you could bring your pet to live with you as you finish college? Well, it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Having a dog in college is not at all easy. I know this for a fact because I live in an apartment with my dog, working every afternoon, going to team practices, and going to school two days a week. If you can tell already, my life isn't easy. Some people don't realize how much work and care goes into having a pet, especially in college. For some, having a dog in college is easy; for others, it's not.

A lot of times, students who have dogs just want to either come home and nap or do homework for five hours, but they have other responsibilities. They have their dog that they need to feed, love, and walk every day. Since I have a dog, I stay up late doing homework so that I have time to take my dog to the park before work. Finding time to do all of the things is one big challenge, but I manage.

Many of my friends are always saying "Ugh, I wish I could bring my dog to school," or "You're so lucky to have your dog with you." All I do is smile and agree with them. Deep down, I know I am lucky to come home to a wagging tail, but I've done so much work to make sure I have time to do everything when I can. To be honest, I don't hang out with my friends very much during the day like I used to. I am more focused on school and work, but mainly making sure that my dog is happy.

I try to plan my schedule around my dog and my job. That is the key thing to do when you have a dog in college. Luckily, I work up to three and a half hours a day so I'm not away from her for long. I plan my life around her because she is literally my baby. I make sure I have time to take her outside in the morning before school, when I get home from school, and before and after work. Time is of the essence with a furry munchkin.

When it comes to the bank account, it is a big barrier for a college student who owns a dog. You have to pay for vet bills, food, treats and all of their necessities. When I worked at PetSmart, I had an employee discount, but now I do not. I make sure I budget my money wisely so that I have enough to go buy treats and poop bags. Now, I know how to shop when there is a big sale or when there is a good pet perks coupon in my email.

Even though living with a dog can be very challenging, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love coming home to her wagging tail and her day's story. One of the benefits of having a dog in college is that they help distract you when you really need the distraction. They're there for cuddles, to drag you off the couch to play outside, and also a good way to develop responsibility. My dog helps me stay firm with my budget because I know I need to have backup money to pay for her needs.

I am very thankful that all of my friends love her just as much as I do, because they are all so relaxed about her going to their house/apartment. If a place lets her in, she goes everywhere with me. And I wouldn't have it any other way.