Lucy Bitler entered college life at the tender age of five months. Her gorgeous blonde hair and stunning youthful features attract the attention of many. Yet, Lucy keeps her nose to the ground, focused on class, bar hopping and more often than not, chasing tail. Despite her delicate frame, a meager 2 lbs, Lucy manages to be the big dog on campus. She keeps her owner, Jessica Bitler, an Emporia sophomore, busy and undoubtedly fulfilled.

Bitler goes about her day with Lucy stowed comfortably in a puppy tote, while unsuspecting bar owners and professors are none the wiser. According to Bitler, Lucy rarely makes a sound — she’s too busy catching up on beauty sleep to bother talking. A college-educated, well-rested, bar-going pup? Take that, Tinkerbell.

Bitler’s not the only one finding that college isn’t college without a furry, tail-waging friend. With plenty of outlets for student dog-lovers and their companions, the University of Kansas is a doggie utopia.

A short drive west to the Clinton Lake Dam could leave many park enthusiasts asking, “Who let the dogs out?” Let’s put an end to the curiosity. In 2001, the Lawrence parks and recreation department did, indeed, let the dogs out. Located at 133 East 902 Road, Mutt Run is a puppy playground. There, dogs and their masters have a playtime haven where canines romp and leashes are out of the question. Imagine 20-some hyper dogs running amuck on 30 acres of pristine land. Think kindergarten recess, but more barking.

Matt Overstreet holds his friend’s dog.

Rodger Steinbrock, marketing coordinator for parks and recreation, says the leashless park addressed a quality of life issue. Realizing that dogs are part of the community too, city officials established Mutt Run for the benefit of all dog kind. And the pilgrimage has been successful. Lawrencian dogs and masters swarm to the park to run and “talk dog” with fellow patrons. If you’re really lucky, you can hear a frustrated owner scold their dogs using their full name. “Margaret Elizabeth Jones, put that Beagle down this instant!” for example. The scene is reminiscent of a playground. One proud parent watches her English Bulldog skillfully horde tennis balls, another teaches a reluctant terrier to swim in the nearby creek, while a Dachshund wrestles a Scottie by the drinking fountain.

The park is open dawn ‘til dusk all week. Go after class and walk the perimeter of the 30-acre park, or let your dog christen the newest pooch playground at Riverfront Park, near Second Street and Highway 24. Steinbrock says dog parks are much better than the bars. The guys are probably cuter too.

A Lawrence resident with her Great Dane named Boss.

If you’re serious about finding your new best friend, however, the Lawrence Humane Society sets the pace for dog ownership in town. Since almost 20 percent of owned dogs are adopted from shelters, according to a Humane Society statistics handout, students often head there when searching for a companion. The shelter, located at 1805 East 19th Street, is the largest in the state. Midge Grinstead, executive director of the Lawrence Humane Society, sees flocks of KU students peruse the kennel aisles. She agrees that there’s nothing like coming home after a grueling day to your happily awaiting pooch.

Before looking to adopt, Grinstead stresses that pet ownership for college students can be tricky, and a decision should be made carefully. Lawrence Humane Society staffers only adopt dogs to serious applicants who have time to care for a dog. Consequentially, only 50 percent of KU applicants are approved for adoption, estimates Grinstead. Some ambitious Jayhawks forget that life still goes on after an adoption. They must schedule class and a social life around the needs of the new furry friend.

If dog ownership turns out to be more than your busy drinking schedule can allow, consider these options. The Lawrence Humane Society hosts about 300 volunteers and you can be one of them. Volunteers have a one-on-one relationship with the shelter animals. The most popular duty is dog walking. If not, head to Mutt Run dog less and play with everyone else’s pooch. It’s almost the real deal, but without the poop stains on your carpet.

If you want a pup but your daddy didn’t buy you your own house, apartment shop carefully. Not all landlords like dogs as much as you do. Apartments that allow dogs typically have weight limit. Brandon Rose, a Fort Gibson, Okla. sophomore lucked out at Tuckaway apartments. The 50 pound limit set by his landlord was exceeded by his neighbor, who owned a 150-pound Great Dane. That made it easy for Brandon to slip through the cracks with his 2-year-old boxer, Roxie.

Rose works hard to find a balance between school, a serving job and dog time. But he found his pace and the going is easy. Rose frequents the dog park, but prefers other parts of Clinton Park. Once or twice a week, he drives Roxie and a few friends to Clinton park to play Frisbee and drink beer.

Roxie and Rose keep each other content. They have to. “If she’s not happy, she’ll shit all over the place,” said Rose.

Ah, puppy love.