Fish are very relaxing too, but not very interactive.
For those you you thinking about getting a puppy before law school and training him "in the summer"....think again. Puppies, for the first few months, are like babies - they cry through the night, have accidents, and need attention basically 24-7. And dogs need a lot of attention, period, no matter how old they are. My dog sits at my bedroom door and whimpers when I study, until I take a break to play with him...this will obviously have to change before law school starts!That said, if you have or get a slightly older dog, they are amazing for relieving stress, and there is no better feeling than coming home, depressed because you failed a test and don't want to talk to anybody, and to have your dog waiting by the door, excitied as ever to see you.
My dad is REALLY allergic to cats and breaks out in hives if he comes in contact with the hair from my GS... but we've had a westie for nearly 13 years and he's been fine, so they really are hypoallergenic and they are such great dogs, little w/out some of the negatives associated with little dogs, and just pure love!and there are breeds of cats that have lesser allergy problems--but with cats, it's so hard to get a pure-breed one, that it's nearly impossible to find one that wont affect you, though we have had a few at the SPCA that have gone to homes with mild allergies and been fine, it's just more of a hit or miss.and my bf was totally a cat person, swore up and down we'd never have a dog, yada yada, and literally now I think they guy honestly, seriously loves her more than he does me so there's hope for your bf, too (not that he'd love an animal more than he does you, but you know what I mean...)
And, if you aren't heart-set on a young one, think about adopting an older one, they are SO hard to find homes for--and you get some bonuses, usually you can already tell what their personalities are like, so you have a better idea of if you will bond with them, and they are less likely to have behavioral problems (reputable adoption places will tell you even if the animal has some bad habits--their goal is to get the animal in a home forever, not to have it returned b/c the owner can't handle that it ripped up a chair or something).I will agree with this 100%. I've had 4 cats over the past 11 years (3 still with me) and 2 have been stray adults. The only downside to taking them in was that my first one was a stray male (I hit him with my car) was FIV and FELV + and died within 3 years of getting him. I will tell you though, strays are the most loyal and they are so thankful to have a good home. My female just decided one day that my house was where she wanted to live and she has been a wonderful cat. Don't get me wrong, I loved having kittens, but I always felt much more in tune with the strays. They just don't take things for granted.
It's a little sad, but the main strike against NYU for me is that I'd probably have to leave my cat with my sister or parents. And it's a major strike.I admit that my current apartment search would be a lot easier if I didn't have my cat, but I adore her, and I think she'll be a great influence on me in law school. If I end up in an apartment without any other cats I'll probably wait a little while and see if she seems lonely, and if she does I'd see about adopting another cat to keep her company. On the plus side, I suspect I'll have more time for her in law school, since I currently am out of the house at minimum from 8-6 every weekday, and that doesn't count any time I leave the house for anything other than work. And she likes to sleep on my lap while I read.
Discussion
Resources
