When a president of a small college or a president of an entire nation owns a dog, he seems a little more approachable, a little more down-to-earth, and a little more like the rest of us. Ironically, it is the dog that makes the man (or woman) more human. Perhaps this is why there is so much public interest in the dog that becomes a "first dog." Only a few weeks ago, there was media frenzy when President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama finally decided on the dog they would bring into the White House. I had never heard of a Portuguese Water Dog before, but now at least I know what one looks like. After viewing the television showing the first family and Bo, the new puppy, I thought President Obama looked a bit uncomfortable interacting with the animal. Perhaps President Obama did not grow up with dogs and is not comfortable with them. Nevertheless, he delivered on his promise of a dog for his girls anyway. Could it also be that these days U.S. Presidents are expected to get a dog?
Closer to home, at Skidmore College there is another president and
first lady with a first dog all living in the Scribner House on North
Broadway. President Phillip Glotzbach and his wife, Marie have a
chocolate Labrador Retriever named Summit. President Glotzbach is the
first Skidmore College president to have a dog while in office. Phil
had dogs all his life and in 1988, Marie surprised the family at
Christmas with a shelter puppy. That puppy grew up and lived with them
until his passing in 2001. By the time they accepted their Skidmore
positions, however, the Glotzbachs were without a canine companion.
Phil and Marie knew that a new puppy would be too hard on the lovely old Scribner House, so in 2004 when their son told them about a trained three-year- old Lab that needed a home, they were more then interested. Soon arrangements were made and Summit traveled from New Orleans to his new home with Phil and Marie. He quickly adapted to his new owners and his new environment. Summit found his forever home and soon Skidmore students and staff fell in love with him.
Summit has a great life. He gets a walk, a run, or a tennis ball retrieving session twice a day. Occasionally he even gets to ride in the car up to the Adirondacks for a swim in a lake and a hike on a trail. Sometimes he even gets to go to the office with Phil or meet a group of students at the Scribner House. When the Glotzbachs have to travel on Skidmore business, Summit has several wonderful dog sitters who take him to their homes while Phil and Marie are away. These sitters include Mary Lou Bates, Liz Bouque and Jannifer Finnegan.
According to Jennifer, "Summit is a happy-go-lucky dog that loves people and tennis balls." Jen went on to describe him as a handsome boy that will fetch the tennis ball until the thrower can throw no more. When Summit is staying with Jennifer, she brings him to work at the Skidmore Colton House where he begins his morning by going around to see everyone who works there and then quietly lies down under Jennifer's desk, as close as he can get to her feet.
I had the opportunity to talk with President Glotzbach about Summit. Much of what he said confirmed for me that if we are tuned into our pets, we can learn from them. Phil explained that Summit is grounded, centered and calming. He said Summit has a zen-like quality about him that is contagious. Phil also said that Summit reminds him of the need for discipline in life. Zen-like calmness, discipline and contentment seem to be a part of Summit's character and appeal.
Okay, so what is wrong with Summit? He cannot be all that perfect, can he? Well, there are two issues that keep him from being perfect. First, Phil says he is a little vain about how his looks--"he is handsome and he knows it." And the second thing is that when Summit meets another dog he gets fearful and a little aggressive. Phil believes that this is because he was never properly socialized to other dogs when he was young. Getting a dog into an obedience class with other young dogs is so important. Despite these two "flaws" Summit is a terrific dog. He is smart about knowing what humans are asking of him. He loves to fetch a tennis ball, a stick, or anything else he can get someone to throw for him. Furthermore, Summit always wants to be right up next to the people he loves, the closer, the better. And if those people are paying attention, they can learn from Summit how to be centered, calm, and disciplined.
For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 885-4113. Also, if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!
Phil and Marie knew that a new puppy would be too hard on the lovely old Scribner House, so in 2004 when their son told them about a trained three-year- old Lab that needed a home, they were more then interested. Soon arrangements were made and Summit traveled from New Orleans to his new home with Phil and Marie. He quickly adapted to his new owners and his new environment. Summit found his forever home and soon Skidmore students and staff fell in love with him.
Summit has a great life. He gets a walk, a run, or a tennis ball retrieving session twice a day. Occasionally he even gets to ride in the car up to the Adirondacks for a swim in a lake and a hike on a trail. Sometimes he even gets to go to the office with Phil or meet a group of students at the Scribner House. When the Glotzbachs have to travel on Skidmore business, Summit has several wonderful dog sitters who take him to their homes while Phil and Marie are away. These sitters include Mary Lou Bates, Liz Bouque and Jannifer Finnegan.
According to Jennifer, "Summit is a happy-go-lucky dog that loves people and tennis balls." Jen went on to describe him as a handsome boy that will fetch the tennis ball until the thrower can throw no more. When Summit is staying with Jennifer, she brings him to work at the Skidmore Colton House where he begins his morning by going around to see everyone who works there and then quietly lies down under Jennifer's desk, as close as he can get to her feet.
I had the opportunity to talk with President Glotzbach about Summit. Much of what he said confirmed for me that if we are tuned into our pets, we can learn from them. Phil explained that Summit is grounded, centered and calming. He said Summit has a zen-like quality about him that is contagious. Phil also said that Summit reminds him of the need for discipline in life. Zen-like calmness, discipline and contentment seem to be a part of Summit's character and appeal.
Okay, so what is wrong with Summit? He cannot be all that perfect, can he? Well, there are two issues that keep him from being perfect. First, Phil says he is a little vain about how his looks--"he is handsome and he knows it." And the second thing is that when Summit meets another dog he gets fearful and a little aggressive. Phil believes that this is because he was never properly socialized to other dogs when he was young. Getting a dog into an obedience class with other young dogs is so important. Despite these two "flaws" Summit is a terrific dog. He is smart about knowing what humans are asking of him. He loves to fetch a tennis ball, a stick, or anything else he can get someone to throw for him. Furthermore, Summit always wants to be right up next to the people he loves, the closer, the better. And if those people are paying attention, they can learn from Summit how to be centered, calm, and disciplined.
For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 885-4113. Also, if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!
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