:( Flusterated. What to do what to do...

[whoaxmary]

This sucks. I'm not sure if this is really appropriate to post on the forum but I didn't know where else to go over it all.
So I've been struggling to get myself an apartment to go to college. I have been accepted into general arts and sciences for now, and want to earn my zoology or biology degree and be a hepetologist.
My apartment applications just won't go through, and now everywhere I can afford is taken.

I've had a friend offer to share an apartment with me, but no pets. She has her own, doesn't want mine... My parents have offered, actually, are urgding me, to leave behind my three snakes, my gecko, my two cats, and my dog, who is only seven months old now, with them for the school year. ..

Everyone is really pushing me to do this, and I'm sitting here in tears because I can' stand the idea of not being with them.
Ugh. :(

[Lankyrob]

How cfar is it from school to home? Would you be able to keep in touch often? How busy is school gonna be - practically would you be able to properly look after all the animals AND properly commit to study? Do you trust parents to care for the animals as you would?

No answers i'm afraid but some things to consider logically rather than emotionally when you make the decision.

Hope it all works for you. :)

[2006gt]

best of luck. i wouldnt want to leave my animals behind either, i understand were your coming from! also good luck on becoming a herpetologist!!

[NennaMeerkat]

Sometimes you have to make really hard choices in our life to make the long term descisions better. I have had to give up pets and find them new homes several times because of things just like this. In the long run I think school is more important than pets, especially college. You only get one or two chances for college...but you have a lifetime to get pets.

That is just my opinion.

[Lankyrob]

Kina agree with nenna and also you wont be giving up the pets as you will get them back once school finishes :)

[stephanbakir]

If your parents cant watch them properly and you have no friends who can, I would probably be able to assuming you trust me to do it, and refund me on their food.
Minus the cats, my cat hates other cats. :(
Might be better then giving your animals up for adoption.

[dshin963]

Where are you going for school? I can keep an ear out for apartments and also same offer as Stephan if you would like I could take care of one or two animals while you are in school :)

[Wolfus_305]

Mhmm, Believe me, I know where you're coming from. I went away to school last year for the first time ever. I left behind my 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 snakes (as well as my sister and friends). It was not tough. I took my gecko though. My roomates thought I was crazy but I would always say goodnight to my gecko. It took me a long time to get used to the no pets, it was too quiet, I found myself watching animals on youtube quite a bit :P

Is there a way that maybe you could take just 1 or 2 of your pets? Maybe you could call the other places, sell yourself to the landlord by summing up all your great tenant qualities and perhaps you could strike a deal? maybe even a different payment plan?

Maybe you could go home and visit often if it's not too far?

Best of luck!!!! Keep us updated!
Kendra

[Jay]

I had the hardest time finding an apartment. My income is pure cash sales of Antiques and hockey cards, also a 4 day a week11.00/hr job. So technically on paper I am poor. I looked for weeks I finally found a place, met with a landlord who had a picture on his desk with him holding a stunning RTB w/ his son. We talked for hours about snakes. I left him my number to reach me if the application went through, he phoned a few hours later and he said he would be thrilled to have me as a tenant. (I have to pay an extra $40.00 per month for electricity.)

Hopefully you will find a place, if you were closer there are a few units available here.

[Jay]

Mhmm, Believe me, I know where you're coming from. I went away to school last year for the first time ever. I left behind my 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 snakes (as well as my sister and friends). It was not tough. I took my gecko though. My roomates thought I was crazy but I would always say goodnight to my gecko. It took me a long time to get used to the no pets, it was too quiet, I found myself watching animals on youtube quite a bit :P

Is there a way that maybe you could take just 1 or 2 of your pets? Maybe you could call the other places, sell yourself to the landlord by summing up all your great tenant qualities and perhaps you could strike a deal? maybe even a different payment plan?

Maybe you could go home and visit often if it's not too far?

Best of luck!!!! Keep us updated!
Kendra

BTW Nova is doing great I still have yet to see her "evil" side, one of the most tolerable snakes I have. Thanks again.

[infernalis]

Sometimes you have to make really hard choices in our life to make the long term descisions better. I have had to give up pets and find them new homes several times because of things just like this. In the long run I think school is more important than pets, especially college. You only get one or two chances for college...but you have a lifetime to get pets.

That is just my opinion.


My advice is just the same, the education is YOUR future, I can honestly say in retrospect of my own life, pursue the college now, you will regret it later if you don't.

[Wolfus_305]

BTW Nova is doing great I still have yet to see her "evil" side, one of the most tolerable snakes I have. Thanks again.

AHAHHA maybe it was just ME she didn't like!! :P But she was always striking the glass here! Glad to hear she's doing well

[whoaxmary]

Sorry everyone, I didn't have time to post again last night.
How cfar is it from school to home?
Depending on who is driving, 5-6 hours. Collingwood to Kingston. I do not drive, so I would have to depend on others to get me home. My parents won't be picking me up; they're not in the best health (another reason I rather not leave seven pets with them. x.x) and don't do that long of drives.

Would you be able to keep in touch often? How busy is school gonna be - practically would you be able to properly look after all the animals AND properly commit to study?
I would keep in touch for sure. School won't be very busy - it's a silly general arts and science coarse I'm not even sure why I'm taking anymore. I'd like to believe I could continue to properly care for them - my animals are not just my pets, or a hobby, they really are a huge part of my life, and my dad to day routine pretty much revolves around them. The only reason I'm interested in going to school is to hopefully get a good job and afford to work with them more and more. But - that is a point I my parents are worried about and I guess I wouldn't know until I was there for sure...

best of luck. i wouldnt want to leave my animals behind either, i understand were your coming from! also good luck on becoming a herpetologist!!
Thanks, that means a lot. I phoned the vet I work with to talk to her about it, and she told me she wouldn't go to school if she couldn't take her horses... Nice to know there's some understanding.

Sometimes you have to make really hard choices in our life to make the long term descisions better. I have had to give up pets and find them new homes several times because of things just like this. In the long run I think school is more important than pets, especially college. You only get one or two chances for college...but you have a lifetime to get pets.

That is just my opinion.
:( Unfortunately I feel like I've missed many chances. I went through breast cancer my grade 12 year, so while some of friends are done or near done or atleast in school - I am not. Rehoming though - just doesn't seem like an option to me, expecially since most of my pets are rescues - I feel like now they are my responsibility I took on, and I shouldn't go dumping them on others. (My cats each have health issues, my puppy is prone to urine and ear infections) And as I said... I don't feel like I'm simply talking about disposable pets. Their literally like my children. The thought of leaving them behind or whatever kills me.

:( So many things to consider.

Kina agree with nenna and also you wont be giving up the pets as you will get them back once school finishes
But in what condition? Will my puppy be untrained, will all the hard work I've spent these few months working with her go to waste? Even my father isn't comfortable taking Richard out of his tank, even though he will hold him afterwards (He is WINGY when you first lift him up) how will they clean up his nasty poops? Will they bathe him each time he sheds and drags himself all through his water dish and poo and makes a mess of himself...Will they know the difference between a normal and not normal activity? My dad taught me how to handle snakes, but he doesn't know much when it comes to captives. He still goes to hold poor Blue by the head each time he picks her up and scares her to death. Will they pay for Schuberts expensive Hypoallergenic food and rub lotion on his neck everyday... Will they fight my vicious cat Sylvie down to trim her nails so she can't attack Schubert? Blah! Sooo many things to worry about!!!

Where are you going for school? I can keep an ear out for apartments and also same offer as Stephan if you would like I could take care of one or two animals while you are in school
SLC in Kingston. Don't even want to go right now..Osap application is messed up, my boyfriend can't find work and is staying her, this thing with my pets, blllaaaah!!!!

Mhmm, Believe me, I know where you're coming from. I went away to school last year for the first time ever. I left behind my 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 snakes (as well as my sister and friends). It was not tough. I took my gecko though. My roomates thought I was crazy but I would always say goodnight to my gecko. It took me a long time to get used to the no pets, it was too quiet, I found myself watching animals on youtube quite a bit :P

Is there a way that maybe you could take just 1 or 2 of your pets? Maybe you could call the other places, sell yourself to the landlord by summing up all your great tenant qualities and perhaps you could strike a deal? maybe even a different payment plan?

Maybe you could go home and visit often if it's not too far?

Best of luck!!!! Keep us updated!
Kendra
If I'm staying with my one friend, no I can not take any of them. She feels it wouldn't be fair to her pets to bring the mammals. (Dog, cat, beardie.) then she is NOT a fan of reptiles besides her own. Not even lil Rog man my gecko.
I've tried offering other places to pay up to half the total rent at once, no go. I even got my grandfather who is retired and used to own a big publishing business to co-sign but for some reason still no go...
Unfortunately visits will be only big holidays. :(

[Gungirl]

Just my thought.. but It seems like you have already made up your mind. No one can make this choice for you. Make a list of all the pro's and con's of going and the situations to help you see why you are doing what you do..

I wish you the best in your decision.

[whoaxmary]

=/ -goes to get a pen and paper and start a +/- list- Thanks for giving me so many other views to consider everyone...
I'm really stressed about this, along with many other things, and my boyfriend has his own issues going on so I haven't wanted to worry him more...What did I do before this forum? :S

[Aaran]

Let stephan watch them...... him and a cat should be a laugh

[whoaxmary]

Lol. I'm charging my camera and going herping. It rained this morning, so hopefully I can find something interesting and bring back pictures... Hopefully this cheers me up!

[Lankyrob]

From an outsiders point of view with no emotional attachment and not knowing the full story i say dont go to school - it doesnt sound worth it. Can you do some sort of distance learning - we have the Open University here that teaches pretty much ANY subject 99% home learning and then the odd weekend or four day residential session - may be worth looking into.

[Jay]

I'm kinda' w/Rob especially considering tuition fees. Is it worth it to take "General Arts and Sciences" When you are aspiring to become a something different. My teacher told me that Gen.Arts was for people who were unsure of what they want to be, it sounds like you know.

[shaunyboy]

i know it will be hard to leave them but always remember they are in the best place possible

your parents did a great job raising and taking care of you pal

cheers shaun

[vendettaseve]

Seriously, Id tell your friend to go have relations with him/herself. if... it... expects you to be paying half rent etc. it can put up with your pets. Or at least one of them. Especially snakes and reptiles, hardly take up any room and would rarely be seen.

The trick to getting an apartment like that is harassment. Call them every hour on the hour till they accept your application.

[totheend]

I say go to school!!! General arts and science or whatever program, nothing beats an education. And if you are looking to take vet tech, it gives you a foot in the door. So it is worth it. I am in the area and can watch your animals for you....at least the ones without fur. :D

[stephanbakir]

As I said, worst case I could watch them for you.
Doing the school from home is pretty good though, the online classes can be great. Listening to a teacher give a lesson while in your boxers doing push-ups or something is a blast, and a great use of time. (Must take pics)

[vendettaseve]

As I said, worst case I could watch them for you.
Doing the school from home is pretty good though, the online classes can be great. Listening to a teacher give a lesson while in your boxers doing push-ups or something is a blast, and a great use of time. (Must take pics)


Who says you have to be at home to do that?

[TeaNinja]

LOL.....that is SO sad......i JUST NOW realized you wrote flusterated xD

[stephanbakir]

Who says you have to be at home to do that?
You don't want to try it at a public park and get the police on your tail thinking your a sex offending pervert :P
LOL.....that is SO sad......i JUST NOW realised you wrote flusterated xD
Sad man is sad:P

[whoaxmary]

Just a little update.
Been doing a lot of thinking - and the more I think the more I've been stressing.
I do think I am leaning towards staying in the area and not going to college - YET. I would love to continue working and do some sort of distance learning. A friend randomly sent me a link to Compass Education because they have a herpetology corse. No degree or anything, but I would still love to take it. Only 500 dollars, less than ones month rent!

Another thing I have realised - I have a lot of connections at home. My job at the clinic networks me to different vets and such. A groomer I work with here has offered to help me get a job at the Elmville Jungle Zoo because she knows many people there, and so forth.

I've also realised more of you are near me than I thought.

I'd really love to find someone I can learn from.. .I mean, even when I don't post I'm still lurking every day soaking in as much information as I can, but I'd love to take it a bit further, and I see posts about people finding mentors.

I don't know! I just do not want to spend all this money if it will be a waste of a year.

[TeaNinja]

a zoo job would probably be awesome.

[whoaxmary]

I'd have to start volenteering, right now I've missed the window for summer hiring, got all their highschool kids in and such. But start volenteering, then maybe work my way in.
I'm really thinking the best path right now might be just to work and network myself like crazy and build on my knowledge and experience before school so I can make sure whatever I take backs up what I really want to do.

I'd love to do something Matt Ellerbeck. lol.
Actually last week I started emailing local libraries and the school I used to attend and talking to them about doing small educational displays. School did not seem interested, but the library said they may get back to me about having something small for younger kids to come in and learn...
I feel like not only would I enjoy that sort of thing, I kinda feel like I'm meant to.
I've always been an activist, and an overall passionate person and that sort of drives me to want to do more than keep working in a clinic.

I think really - it just felt good to sit back and say "Yea I want to be a vet tech - I'm going to go to schooland take these classes" and pretend I knew what I wanted - rather than just admit I'm not sure?

[Lankyrob]

It feels good to have a plan and its hard to admit we dont know where life is taking us, well done.

Hands on experience is great and will also aid you in A) deciding if it is what you want long term and B) making study easier later as you will have practical rather than just "book" knowledge.

[whoaxmary]

Mhm, that's what I thought as well. Not to mention I am not very 'Book Smart' at all.

[Gungirl]

I'm very happy for you in making this choice. It is a VERY hard one to make but I think you have educated yourself in all of your options and are going to be better of later on because of it.

[stephanbakir]

Working at a zoo is fun, and rewarding :)