When I was on my first visit to Williston, in the winter of 2017, I was rifled with questions from my tour guide. While many of these inquiries were to avoid awkward silences, one got me quite fired up. He asked me if I had any problems sharing a campus with dozens of dogs.

I was taken back by the peculiarity of this question, but he proceeded by telling me about the variety of animals that live on campus as pets.  While many animals have been here for quite some time, this new school year brings in not only new students and a new dorm, but also new pets. Let’s take a look at some of the new (and some veterans) of Williston.

GLITTER

Starting off is a 1st year resident of Ford Hall, living with Mr. Kearney on the second floor. She goes by the name of Glitter and is a 10-year-old English bulldog.

Glitter is a diva, said Kearney, and hates any dog that tries to steal her thunder.

She was rescued at seven and has adapted to the dorm life very well.

“While many dogs wake up before their owners, we actually have to wake her up, because she can sleep through our entire morning routine” Kearney, the Head Athletic Trainer, said.

While Glitter is fairly low maintenance, she does require a fair bit of attention. She goes on four walks a day and joins Kearney on his strongman adventures in the gym.

TELLA

Next up is Tella, the wolfdog living on the third floor of Ford Hall with Mr. Eberle. While she might appear scary at first, this 80-pound German Shepherd/Alaskan Malamute mix is one of the friendliest dogs around.

At only nine months old, she gets along with pretty much anyone, Eberle told The Willistonian. She was a spontaneous purchase; Eberle was not coaching last spring, and when he saw her pictures online, he felt compelled to get her.

The only issue with caring for Tella, said Eberle, is making sure he gives her enough exercise.

“If I have three classes in a row, that’s a lot of time spent inside for such an outdoor dog like her,” Eberle said.

While Mr. Eberle still has a lot to teach to this growing pup, she has in her turn taught him important lessons.

“She’s definitely taught me patience, and I learned how to let go of possessions,” Eberle said. “I might get home one day and find a destroyed book, and rather than get mad, I just let it go.”

MABEL & BUFFY

Perhaps one of the purest sights you shall see on campus this year is Mr. Seamon walking with his two golden retrievers, Mabel and Buffy.

Mabel, seven years old, was a single child up until last spring, when Mr. Seamon felt like something was missing.

“While having one dog is great, bringing in a second one makes it so much more fun. They constantly entertain themselves,” Seamon said. “They were wrestling in the kitchen five minutes ago.”

Although work keeps the Head of the Math Department busy, he always finds time to make sure his dogs are accommodated for, with big daily walks and swimming sessions. On the weekends, he takes them up to his relative’s farm, where the get more space to run around than they could have ever wished for.

Mr. Seamon claims he has never met a golden retriever as smart as Mabel, which can be quite useful in the upbringing of the new pup. With such a good motherly figure, this duo is bound to become iconic on campus.

SCOUT

The newest member of the Williston family is a puppy named Scout, who reached the four month mark recently. Mr. Choo and his family got the German shepherd / Marrima / Newfoundland mix one week before the school year started.

This dog was in dire need of a home, and Mr. Choo saw the stars align, as he and his wife had been thinking about getting a family dog for a long time. He drove up to Vermont, picked Scout up, and never looked back.

While raising a dog and two kids might seem like a daunting challenge, Mr. Choo loves the bond that he and his kids share over the pup.

“In my perspective, kids and pets go together well. I get to spend more quality time with my kids, cause we get to walk the dog together, feed the dog together and play with the dog together,” Choo said.