Growing up in a small town in Virginia led me to stay in my comfort zone, limit myself to trying new things, and stick to the same schedule all year round. Come my junior year of high school, I knew it was time for me to start looking at colleges and begin the process of starting the next chapter of my life. In my head, I got used to the idea of going to college 2 hours away, and being roommates with my childhood best friend. In December of my junior year, my family got a dog. As any family does, you walk it, potty train it, and teach it to sit. However I got very attached to this dog, Ozzy, and watching him grow up changed my perspective on life completely.

I know it sounds silly, but truthfully, Ozzy has changed the way I look at life for the better. Taking him on little adventures with me, like going to the park or on a hike, is something that I constantly look forward to. Nothing ever stops Ozzy from throwing his whole self into every experience.

I wanted to learn how to live and try new, possibly difficult, things without regret, and feeling as if there was a better, or safer way to spend my time. I wanted to feel the happiness that Ozzy embraces around family, friends, and life and so, I started to think like my dog. So from my junior and senior year of high school, I learned more about myself than I'd ever imagined. I pushed myself to apply to more out-of-state colleges than in-state and venture off from the cookie-cutter life I had imagined for myself. My freshman year at UGA has been the most rewarding experience, and although my dog has no idea what's going on, I owe it all to him.