Full disclosure, I used to hate dogs. But don’t discredit me yet, I can redeem myself! This is a passion blog after all, and my dog is an important enough part of my life that I would willingly blog about him for a semester.

My journey from dog-hater to bonafide dog-lover happened the summer before my senior year, when against my wishes, my parents agreed to get my sister a dog. In the months that followed, the puppy we came to know as Charlie slowly transformed me from someone who disliked dogs partially because I feared themnto someone who tears up every time they see a dog on Old Main Lawn (its very emotionally draining).

Charlie transformed me as a person by showing me new happiness that I had no idea a dog could provide. Taking him on walks went from a dreaded task my parents asked of me to a therapeutic activity that I looked forward to every day. When Charlie first arrived, I had my door closed at all times so that he could never get in. In time, when my dad let him out of his crate every morning he would run up to my room and sleep in my bed with me. I used to dread going to friend’s houses that had big dogs because they frightened me. I pushed them away when they jumped on me and was so relieved when I could be in a closed-off room away from them. Now because I experienced Charlie’s gentleness and loving personality, I feel comfortable around dogs and absolutely love it when I go somewhere and they have a dog. The best part is that I’m never alone because Charlie is always at home with me, sitting right beside me.

Does a blog that is an endless stream of pictures and videos of my dog and gushing stories about how adorable he is sound appealing? If it is, let me know.

I suppose that college is also a passion of mine, since that word encompasses my entire life right now. As a result I could probably spend every waking hour doing homework, studying, or laying in bed stressing about how I should be getting something done. But that’s no way to live, and its definitely a way to get burnt out way before the end of the semester. So I’m going to try out different ways to relax each week, and report back on what was the most effective! Maybe you’ll be inspired to check it out for yourself.

I’m considering the following methods of relaxation: Going on walks (preferably somewhere in nature), exercising at the gym, creating art either by drawing, coloring, writing, or playing an instrument, watching Netflix, and reading for pleasure.