According to Forbes, about 66% of households own a pet. Ninety-seven percent of pet owners consider their animals to be part of their family. When the time comes to leave home, the magnitude of what a person is leaving behind is significant and the loss takes a toll on their new environment. 

For some students at MU, pets play a pivotal role in making Columbia a home away from home. Whether students are bringing a pet from home, adopting a pet or taking visits to those who have pets, they bring a warmness like no other.

The Mascot of Mark Twain

Michael Cunningham, a senior Residence Hall Coordinator at Mark Twain Hall, is the owner of a one-year-old cocker spaniel shar-pei (cocker-pei), Gertie, who can be seen monitoring the halls and lounging with Cunningham under his desk.

“I feel like this is very much a job you get fresh out of college, and [one of the] first things you want to do now that you live on your own is get a dog,” Cunningham said. “It’s a cool environment for them because they kind of turn into the mascot of the dorm. They have a great chance to acclimate to the high-energy college kids who want to dance and play with the dog.” 

Gertie is a noteworthy part of the Mark Twain community. She reminds students of their pets back at home and serves as an anchor for people who might’ve come back from a difficult class.

“[One of the residents] stopped by, she’s petting Gertie, wants to get to know more about the dog, and then we start to learn more about each other,” Cunningham said. “Now she’s got long-standing treats that I keep in here that she bought so she can just come in and feed Gertie. And I’ve got like three or four other residents that have done the same thing.”

Students in Mark Twain came together to create a homecoming painting of Gertie standing under a tree with the words: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” The painting now hangs in the lobby of Mark Twain Hall.

The Great Pyrenees in Speaker’s Circle

Luna, a great pyrenees, is another K-9 mascot at MU. She sits in Speakers Circle many afternoons bringing great comfort to students and faculty around. 

Luna comes as the heir in the great pyrenees legacy following the recent death of Harlan,  Luna’s uncle, who passed away in February 2023 at the age of 11. For a decade, Harlan provided emotional support to the same students who now find comfort in the 3-year-old white “teddy bear” of Luna. 

Luna’s owners, Jason and Jennifer Furrer, are both MU faculty members. Jason is an associate teaching professor for microbiology at the School of Medicine, and Jennifer is an associate teaching professor at the School of Nursing. They both felt a keen importance in continuing Harlan’s legacy. His owner Cris Wood started the tradition in 2014, when Wood began bringing Harlan to Speaker’s Circle for weekly visits so students were given a chance to interact with the Great Pyrenees. 

“I’ve been at [MU] for a long time, since 1994, and never left as an undergrad. So I know the importance of ‘the ZOU’ and [its] traditions,” Jason said. “For 10 years, he [Woods] was out here as I would cross campus. [After Harlan] there was a void, and there was something that we needed.” 

The Furrers got Luna around October 2020. She is the sister to two french bulldogs and loves to act like the “runt of the litter” according to the Furrers. When sitting in Speaker’s Circle, she proudly wears a vest decorated by MU student organizations’ pins and smiles at everyone who plays with, hugs and kisses her. 

“She’s grown up with our two French Bulldogs,” Jason said. “She thinks she is way smaller than she actually is, but they play nice with each other which is the best part. [We] named her Luna because she curled up on the floor and looked like a big fluffy white moon.” 

The Furrers recognize that homesickness can lead to effects in students not performing as well as they would want therefore the Furrers try to provide solace through Luna.

“I think that comfort level is important,” Jason said.  “I mean knowing that you’re not alone, and it joins groups. Everybody meets friends, but you know, it’s not the same as being at home. Tons of people say ‘I miss my dog, I miss my family,’ and we can bring a little bit of that [and] take [the longing] away from them. If they’re not happy, they’re not going to give that confidence.”

Besides providing support in Speakers Circle, the Furrers hope to continue their mission outside of interaction with Luna. They plan to set up an internal support animal group on campus modeled after a system set up at Oklahoma State University . OSU’s Pet Therapy Program provides a community of pets that help enhance the well-being of students. 

The Furrers have also set up an Instagram account for Luna, so students can track where she is going to be and when. The account, @ms.luna.at.mizzou, also shares flashback photos of Luna and awareness towards their support animal group mission. 

You’ve got a friend in me

Megan Cooper, a senior at MU, adopted her cat Ollie from the Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia last September.

“The Humane Society is close to East Campus, super easy [to adopt], they were great,” Cooper said. “You fill out a form before you go, and then you can meet the animals.”

Cooper emphasized the positive effect of having Ollie in her life as a college student. 

“Having a little animal to come home to just brightens my day, it sounds cheesy, but it really does,” Cooper said. “I come home and I get to play with him, I give him treats, and he’s just comforting and grounding. When I get stressed, I’m like, I’m gonna go cuddle my cat now.” 

Chilling out in the cat cafe

For students who might not be ready for the commitment of owning a pet but enjoy drinks, snacks and cats, Bertha’s Beans Cat Cafe is a newly opened spot to relax with a cat in one arm and a cup of coffee in the other.

Previously known as Papa’s Cat Cafe, Bertha’s Beans opened Nov. 9 after the owners of Papa’s decided not to renew their lease. The cafe was sold to Jessica and Kyle Schlosser, owners of Lizzi & Rocco’s Natural Pet Market.

Bertha’s Beans partners with Columbia Second Chance for adoptions, and since their opening 50 adoptions have been made.

From Gertie, Luna, pet adoption centers and restaurants centered around pets, the direct inclusion of these animals play a notable impact on supporting college students as they adjust to being away from home. Students may fill their hearts with a bit of animal love until the next time they see their own pets again. 

Edited by Alex Goldstein | agoldstein@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Katie Hoffman and Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com

Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com