Nine years ago, Casey joined the Lahey family. This year, she joined the King’s family. Now, anyone taking a stroll through the quad, or traveling to and from class, may encounter Casey out for a walk with President William Lahey.
For many, including myself, Casey has made for an easy introduction to the university’s new president. I’ve always been the kind of person who awkwardly focuses on the pets in social situations. For anyone who feels the same way, Casey has got you covered.
“They pay attention to the dog more than they pay attention to me,” says Lahey. “I get some deflected attention, though.”
As a Labradoodle, Casey makes for the perfect campus canine. She’s smart, well behaved, friendly, loveable, and to top it all off, she’s hypoallergenic — a dog for the masses! She’s patient with me, as I stumble my way through my first interview with a dog – graciously letting me feel like I know what I’m doing.
“She graduated at the top of her obedience class,” says Lahey, Casey sitting quietly at his side.
Her good nature is no accident. The Lahey family researched breeds and chose Casey very specifically. They even had her brought to them all the way from Alberta. So what does Casey think about the move to campus? Lahey says she might miss her old yard and free space but the attention she gets from the community of students more than compensates for it.
“She runs from student to student making herself available to be pet,” says Lahey. “I bet she thinks she’s gone to doggy
heaven.”
Casey is certainly living the life. She’s on the fast track to becoming the most prominent dog at King’s. Her rise to fame is due in part to the staff at the registrar’s office. They’ve set up an Instagram account to allow the community to follow her success. Even with only four posts, Casey already has over 150 followers. It’s not hard to guess why. As I pull out my camera, Casey turns her head from side to side, giving me some options for angles. It’s not every day that I get to meet someone this intelligent and good-looking. It’s almost unfair.
Follow her on Instagram: @caseythecampuscanine
