Pay it forward download.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/pets.jpg” alt=”pets” width=”539″ height=”108″ />

We all know it can get bit lonely sometimes in This Big City. Sometimes you want to come home after a long day of being beaten down by the man and have a little critter snuggle up next to you. Obviously, pets are not allowed in NYU dorms, but lots of students move into pet friendly apartments in their upperclassman years. But just like your parents told you way back when you were a six year old whining about wanting a puppy, pets are a legitimate responsibility. And some are a bigger undertaking than others, both financially and emotionally. Here are four NYU students who have pets ranging from a dog to a pet rock (yes, really). Read their stories and see if getting a furry companion might be just what you need to get you through the impending months of dark stormy nights.

ASHLEY, SENIOR AND BISCOTTI, HAVANESE DOG

How old is your pet? 5 ½ Years

How long have you had him? 5 1/2 years. I lived with my parents until I got an apartment that accepted pets so he’s only been living in NYC since June.

Why did you get Biscotti? I always wanted a dog, but my parents wouldn’t get one. They said if I still wanted one when I was 16 I could get a dog because by then they knew I could handle the responsibility. So, I got him for my 16th birthday.

Where did you buy him? A pet store in Long Island.

What was the initial cost (equipment, shots, etc)? The dog himself was $900. After supplies and vet visits (he had a lot of things wrong with him the first few months I had him), my dad says that his first year cost over $2500.

What do you purchase monthly (food, bedding, etc) and how much does it all cost? His regular dog food, lots of greenies (to help with oral hygiene), wee wee pads (so he doesn’t have to go outside 10 times a day), biscuits/snacks, his medications, toys, bones and honey sticks to bite on. His food and pads cost about $50 a month and his grooming is every 6 weeks and costs $80 with tip.

Where do you shop for your pet? PetCo, Trader Joes, and some online stores that have good deals on pads and accessories

Do you see Biscotti as a financial/emotional/physical burden? How? Yes. For now, my parents still cover the financial end but that’s going to change after I graduate, and I’m not looking forward to that.

There’s definitely a huge emotional burden. My heart sinks to my stomach every time I leave. I always feel guilty when I’m out for more than a few hours even when it’s for work or school. It’s hard because he won’t do anything when no one is around. I leave the TV on Disney for him but he’ll just sleep on the couch no matter what toys or food I put out (I’ve tried them all). So I am constantly declining plans because of him. I try to not go to the library to get my work done so I don’t leave him, but I live on St. Mark’s Place so it’s really difficult to get work done since it’s noisy.

Sometimes it’s hard because I’m dead tired but I still have to wake up super early. After a long day the first thing I do is take him out, but at least I live really close to Tompkins Square Park. I take him there everyday for about an hour so I can just sit and unwind while he plays with the other dogs.

How much attention does your pet give you? He’s always genuinely happy to see me but then he gets over it pretty quickly unless there are other people around. He gets jealous easily and then squeezes between me and whoever I’m with.

How are have you or how are you planning on taking care of your pet if you leave your apartment for travel or holidays? I live on Long Island so my Dad can pick me and Biscotti up.

Are you glad you have your pet or do you wish they would just die already? I’m really happy I have my pet. I’ve been through a lot with him. It’s really difficult having him with so much going on and sometimes the responsibility can be overwhelming but I know it’s a lot better for him here then it was for him in the suburbs, where he didn’t get to be social with other dogs

Tell us a funny story about your pet. When he was a puppy, my Mom would say, “bless you” whenever he sneezed. So now he fake sneezes when he wants attention.

DIANA, JUNIOR AND STELLA, CALICO CAT

How old is your pet? Stella’s adoption papers say she is two years old, but the guy at the shelter said she was about 8 months so we don’t really know.

How long have you had her? A few weeks now.

Why did you get her? I’ve always wanted a cat, but my parents hate them. Now that I have an apartment, I can finally have one. My roomate and I thought it would be nice to have an animal around.

Where did you buy Stella? We got her at Social Tees animal shelter  [Ed Note: This is where I got my kitty, too. Highly recommended!]

What was the initial cost of your pet (equipment, shots, etc)? She cost $75, and came with all her shots, so we just had to buy bowls and a litter box. The guy [Robert Shapiro] at Social Tees sold us the bed, a cage, and a litter box for an extra $45.

What do you buy and how much does it cost? A bag of food that lasts a few weeks costs about $15, litter is about $10 and lasts for a few weeks as well.

Where do you shop for your pet? There is a pet store across the street called Mikey’s Pet Shop, or I go to the bodega on the corner [of 7th street and 1st ave.] to buy supplies.

Do you see your pet as a financial/emotional/physical burden? How? Stella is definitely not a burden at all.

How much attention does your pet require? She likes a lot of attention, she always jumps up on my bed to be petted, and swats at my books when I’m reading because she wants me to play with her. She likes to be near people so mostly she just likes to sit next to me while I am doing stuff. She also likes to sleep in one of our beds.

How much attention does she give you? She always comes and snuggles with me and is always excited when we get home.

What are you planning to with your pet during the holidays or when you leave your apartment to travel? I might take her home if she is allowed to stay at one of my parents houses or I might board her or get someone to come feed her.

Are you glad you have your pet or do you wish they would just die already? Ha. No. I don’t wish she were dead.

Tell us a funny story about your pet. She likes to eat plastic bags. She also thinks everyones hair is a toy for her so she always pounces on it when i am laying down in bed. She also sleeps with her paw covering her eyes. I should stop, you probably don’t want a list of things my cat does that i think are cute.

RACHEL, SENIOR, AND MEMPHIS, GUINEA PIG

How old is your pet? Almost one year.

How long have you had her? About a year.

Why did you get her? I got her for a film project last year. The story was about two old ladies who steal Memphis from an another apartment in their building, so i needed an animal. But really it was because I wanted a pet and this was a good excuse to get the OK from my roommate.

Where did you buy Memphis? PetCo in Union Square

What was the initial cost (equipment, shots, etc)? She cost $30. It was $130 for her cage, food, bedding, water bottle, dish, etc. What was really ridiculous was the cage. They only had one for $100 at PetCo and it was too big for her (more like for a rabbit) so either I would recommend buying one from someone (like on Craigslist) or just being careful so PetCo doesn’t screw you over for $100.

What do you purchase monthly and how much does it cost? Food, bedding, and hay. $35 max.

Where do you shop for your pet? I go to PetCo or Kmart to get her supplies. She’s not picky.

How much attention does she require? She’s made herself a bed and bathroom. Needless to say, cleanup is easy. She is cool, really chill and easy to take care of. She is practically a stuffed animal that purrs.

How much attention does your pet give you? She’s only interested in snuggling, so with that said, we watch many movies together when I get home from a long day.

What are you planning to with Memphis during the holidays or when you leave your apartment to travel? She has a couple of people that look after her. Her favorite are my parents because they spoil her like crazy and she gets fat. To say the least, I’m afraid to have kids.

Are you glad you have Memphis or do you wish she would just die already? I love my pet and glad I have her. Although sometimes I feel bad that I am away so much to not always give her the attention she needs. she’s cool nonetheless.

Tell us a funny story about your pet. She has gotten really good at stealing carrots from off my plate. In the morning she likes to run laps around her cage. Yes it’s weird. She is very girly.

TRACY, SENIOR, AND LITTLE WHITE BUNNY, QUARTZ ROCK

How old is your pet? I’m not so sure. What’s the average age of quartz?

Is it a girl or a boy? Boy

How long have you had him/her? I was in second grade when I found him, so in second grade you’re 7? Crap, 14 years.

What were your reasons for getting your pet? It looked funny sticking out of our rose bushes.

Where did you purchase your pet? In my front yard.

What was the initial cost? When I first got him, I had to use a paper towel to wash and wipe him off. So, what’s the cost of one paper towel?

What do you purchase monthly? I spoil him sometimes, by giving him a good rubdown with an anti-bacterial Lysol wipe (seeing as it’s Swine Flu season and all.)

How much do these things cost per month? I think one canister of those Lysol wipes is $3.99.

Where do you shop for your pet? Duane Reade. In California, it was Rite Aid.

Do you see your pet as a financial/emotional/physical burden? How? No. It’s actually quite the opposite. He’s a soothing presence in my life.

How much attention does your pet require? Not much. The little guy’s very self sufficient.

How much attention does your pet give you? He doesn’t have to actively give me attention. Just being there is what counts.

What are you planning to with your pet during the holidays or when you leave your apartment to travel? For Christmas Break I may be going to China since both my parents are there right now. For Thanksgiving I might go to my cousin’s in D.C. and spend it with her and her boyfriend’s family. They have really white people Thanksgivings. Obviously, Little White Bunny will be accompanying me.

Are you glad you have your pet or do you wish they would just die already? I hope he never dies.

Tell us a funny story about your pet. His name is a bit stupid. I was little. He looked funny sticking out of the bottom of our rose bushes because he’s this unpolished chunk of white quartz that’s about the size of two golf balls. I have no idea how he ended up there to begin with, but because he was white, I called him “Little White Bunny” (translated from Chinese).

It seems as though there is a pet for every income level and for every stage of emotional responsibility. Make sure that before you get a pet though (even if it’s a rock) make sure to really ask yourself if you have the time, money, and love to devote to it. If you find that you do have all of these things then get out there and find one because there are more animals out there looking for homes than can ever be bought or adopted.