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Mutts Matter: Meet Buddy

By WTOP Staff

Mutts Matter Rescue

This biweekly column is written by Suzanne Lawter, Director of Community Outreach for Mutts Matter Rescue, a local nonprofit, all-volunteer dog rescue. Mutts Matter is a network of volunteers who love animals and want to make a difference by helping forgotten and discarded dogs find loving families. Since our founding in 2010, we have successfully rescued and placed more than 1,400 dogs in the local Washington Metropolitan area.

Hey, everyone! My name is Buddy and I’m a handsome and lovable 2-year-old Lab/Hound mix. I’m a young, active dog who loves to run and play, and I’m the undisputed champion of playing fetch. I have a football and basketball that I treasure, but any kind of playtime is good in my book. I’m also very affectionate and bond closely with my person, and will make someone a great companion for running or just hanging out on the couch.

Buddy, via Mutts Matter RescueMy foster mom calls me a “guy’s dog” because I’m 65 pounds and love to play ball and wrestle, but the truth is she’s my favorite person in the world. She takes me on long walks, gives me yummy treats and belly rubs, and has had such a positive impact on my life.

Since I’ve been in her care, we’ve worked with a trainer to learn how to walk properly on leash and greet visitors who come to the house. I’ve learned to go to my special spot when someone comes to the door and, once I see my foster mom approves of them, I greet guests with joy and enthusiasm. Sometimes I still have a little too much enthusiasm and will jump up to see if they want to play with me, but I’m working on that.

Not only is my foster mom awesome, but I get along great with her son Yannick too. Since he’s been home from college, we’ve been going on morning runs and he’s been teaching me cool tricks. He gave me the basketball and football that I kick around the house, and we play soccer together. He takes me on play dates with his friends’ dogs to make sure I stay socialized, and we have a blast. Although I’m great with older kids, I’m not a good fit for families with smaller children who don’t understand boundaries. I’m a bigger pup and still have a lot of puppy energy and excitement, and could accidentally knock over a small child while we’re playing.

I’m already crate-trained, potty-trained, and know my basic commands, and my foster mom trusts me to have free roam of the house. I’ve learned to walk well on leash and am good when I see other dogs in my neighborhood. I’ll ignore most of them even if they bark at me. I fancy myself a hunting and tracking dog, and will follow the scent of rabbits, deer, and squirrels as I walk along the local trails. If I see a deer, I’ll check them out and move on, but squirrels and kitties are a different story. I will chase them if you let me, but will also listen to “no.”

Like all pups, I have a goofy side. I have a thing for slippers, but not shoes. I never destroy the slippers, but I do like to throw them in the air and then chase them. I also like to flop on my belly in the grass and crawl around like a soldier on patrol. I am a HUGE fan of popcorn, and as soon as I hear or smell some being made I get very excited, and will do just about anything for a buttery nugget. I love it so much that my family has used it for training over any other kind of treat.

I’m a sweet dog who needs an active, structured home and a family who will commit to my daily exercise, playtime, and training. I need an owner who will teach me boundaries and take charge so that I don’t have to.

I’d be good as an only dog or paired with a calmer, mature pup too. A fenced yard would be ideal, since my favorite thing to do is to chase balls in the back yard, but I also like to bask in the sun, play tug with my rope toys, and of course always enjoy a good bone chew. You should know that any and all squeaky toys will not survive for long under my care.

So that’s me in a nutshell.  I’m a sweet, playful pup who needs a dedicated and active owner, and I promise to be the most loving and fun dog you’ve ever had.

If you are interested in opening your heart and home to a pup in need, please go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or if you have questions, you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

Photos via Mutts Matter Rescue

Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue Buddy, via Mutts Matter Rescue

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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