February 23, 2012
With the beautiful scenery and numerous paths leading all over campus, Hamilton is an ideal place to walk a dog. On any given day, you are likely to see a professor or town resident walking his or her dog. We decided to take a little time to profile some of the dogs that are famous around campus.
Although Brien Kehoe is not a professor here, he still enjoys bringing his English bulldog, Margaret, around campus every day around 4 p.m. Kehoe notes that Margaret is very popular around campus and loves all the attention she receives. She is a purebred Bulldog and both of her parents were champion show dogs. Margaret is known by name by many students on the light side of campus. Kehoe says this is a major reason he walks her here. She routinely gets her picture taken by students (Kehoe keeps count, I am the 121st person to take her picture) and according to Kehoe “she is the wallpaper of to a number of cell-phones and laptops.” Several students have even told him that they have a picture of Margaret on their dorm wall. Margaret acts a surrogate dog for many students on campus, as pets are not allowed. Kehoe is happy to bring Margaret to campus and Margaret is happy to come. “I think it is probably her favorite place in the world. The crumbs, cookie fragments and pizza crusts she find around campus only add to its charm.” When asked if he had any unique stories to share, he made sure to mention this year’s orientation. Margaret was playing with a new student when the student’s father asked if Margaret received a lot of attention. Kehoe’s response “Well, I know what it’s like to be Mister Elizabeth Taylor.”
Possibly the most famous dog and the first one most students see when the first arrive is Indie Jillings. Indie belongs to Andrew and Sarah Jillings and he even has his own email address (yes, he does answer emails). Indie is a Border Collie mix. He has been here for about 10 years. He came to campus shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 after he was rescued and taken to a vet. He commented, “I still don’t like going to the vet.” Indie is most likely to be seen walking around; his favorite spot for walks is the Kirkland Glen loop. Indie comments that he does like students here but “I’ve never liked being bashed on the head as a form of greeting.” So, no offense to students; it might be hard to get a little of attention from Indie, but Professor Doran’s dog, Holly is always eager to play.
Like Indie, Holly was also rescued. Professor Doran notes that she had been looking for a dog from some time. It was around Christmas time. Holly was found walking around the town of Whitesboro. She was taken to a veterinarian in Clinton who suggested the best thing for her was to put her to sleep. Before doing so, the vet, Dr. Walsh, had an idea; he called Professor Doran on Christmas Day. She and her family instantly fell in love with the dog, and Holly has been a part of the family ever since. Holly is believed to be a cross between a Poodle and a Wheaton Terrier but no one is positive on that. Professor Doran has been known to bring Holly to class. Doran says that after a once-around the classroom, Holly usually lies down for a nap. One funny moment from the recent past involved just that. Holly was sound asleep and managed to roll onto her back with all four legs in the air. Professor Doran had her back to the class and the students burst out laughing: she said moments like that brighten her day. She also noted that “Holly is a welcoming presence in the Philosophy department and she is particularly attached to Bob Simon and Ruth Lessman.”
Another friendly dog you may have seen is College Chaplain Jeff McArn’s dog, Lily. Many students can probably remember Toby, McArn’s former dog. On a recent trip to North Carolina, Toby passed away. The family, heartbroken, knew they couldn’t continue without a dog. One month later, in January of 2011, the McArns adopted Lily from Rescue Me. McArn notes it was a moment of “who rescued whom?” Lily is half black lab and half unknown. Either way, Lily loves people and McArn loves to bring her to campus although she is still a little puppy-esque. She doesn’t come to campus all the time, but when she does, she loves to see students and absolutely adores being played with. Like many of the dogs on campus, Lily can be therapeutic to students having a down day. Lily is similar in attitude to Professor Isserman’s dog, Pippen.
Isserman describes Pippen as part custodian, part therapy dog. Pippen loves to walk around KJ with Isserman and find bits of cookie, chips, etc. Pippen is a Beagle that Isserman got from Terry Hawkridge. Aside from his being the Assistant Director of Grounds, Horticulture and Arboretum, Hawkridge also breeds Beagles. Pippen is nine and Isserman describes him as a “Canine Studies Interdisciplinary Major” who has “no plans to graduate any time soon.” Just like his owner, Pippen loves learning and thinks that it is an integral part of life. When asked if Pippen had any problems on campus, Isserman responded that Pippen has no problems on campus. However, he knows that Indie is the dog on campus and will show deference towards him. Also common to the Kirkland side of campus is Professor Pellman’s dog, Gidget.
Professor Pellman’s dog Gidget is not often seen on campus but occasionally will make a rare appearance. Gidget is a nine year old Shih-Tsu that the Pellmans adopted from a kennel in Ithica. “Her main job is to be a big, warm, ball of fluff,” says Pellman. He adopted the dog when his daughter left for college as a way to “channel his paternal and (Mrs. Pellman’s) maternal instincts.” Gidget fits in well with very musical Pellman theory. With an entirely black body and white chest, Gidget is always in concert dress. Gidget also has a musical talent. Whenever Gidget hears Chopin, she feels the need to howl and bark along. She will not do this for any other composer. It’s very clear that Gidget is the perfect fit for the Pellman family. Even though you probably won’t see Gidget on campus any time soon, off the Hill, Gidget is a great way to distress your day.
Most of the dogs that are brought to campus love humans and so long as most owners will allow students to pet their dogs. It’s a great way to relieve a little stress or brighten your day.