Good Things about Luther Vol XIIVI: Pets; Bad Things about Luther Vol XIIVI: Pets

Pet ownership is a possibility for you if you’re thinking of coming to study at Luther Seminary. In the Burntvedt Court apartments there are several one, two, or three bedroom apartments that accommodate pets.

Pets have been a hot topic for Burntvedt residents of late. There is an area on the north side of the parking lot that residents, when they sign up to live here, agree to take their dogs to poop and pee. They also agree to pick up the waste and put it in Luther's dumpster. Pet owners are not to let their animals poop or pee in the central area of Burntvedt Court, a long, narrow, grassy area (akin to a backyard) on which children play, seminarians read and sunbathe, and residents picnic with their barbeques when the weather is nice (one staff person reported at Friday's community meeting that an animal pile was recently left on one of the picnic tables).

Many residents find this to be an agreeable situation. They get the joy of companionship and play with a domesticated animal and all residents get to avoid dealing with waste that is not their own. When this agreement works well no Burntvedt-er has to worry before they step or sit, no parent has to fear the potential crap-cake ruining their child’s appetite. Many residents work the plan and make the plan work.

Thanks to what is quite likely a minority, the plan is not working.

1. Several pet owners have told me that the designated poop-and-pick-up area is not being treated as such. It is feces land mine zone.
2. Many piles are left outside the designated area. During the winter, the sidewalks of the central area were regularly lined with yellow patches. I have picked up three piles of in the last three days, all located in the central area, each within 20 feet of an apartment door. Other residents have told me of similar experiences.
3. Perhaps all the damage is being done by non-campus pets since we do live in a heavily populated neighborhood and have open property lines. This could be the case. However, it seems odd that it would be the entire cause given the piles’ often close proximity to apartments.

What can be done? Perhaps those of us who don’t own pets should move to Sandgren (where pets are not allowed) and leave the lawn for puppies. Perhaps pets should only be allowed in the one or two buildings nearest the designated drop zone. Perhaps Luther should only allow pets that crap inside their owner's apartment (i.e. fish, turtles, cats, parakeets, and children). There is talk of a dog park but anyone who's been around the last two years and recalls Don Lewis's alleged commitment to another similar project, the Tot Lot at Burntvedt ("end of summer '06," "spring '07," "summer '08," "maybe a bit longer"), should not hold their breath. Even if that dog park was built, it still falls to the minority to actually use it. Perhaps pet owners should take their pets to the drop zone.

I am sure the conversation will continue. For now, however, bring your pets when you come to Seminary.