Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes
![Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes typography](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-typography.png)
![President Cant smiles holding Walter as student Laura De La Rosa Orengo smiles while holding one of Walters paws during the Club Day event](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-01_v2.jpg)
Walter began his duties as the Wilkes ambassador of good will almost immediately when he attended Club Day in early fall, seen here with President Cant and student Laura De La Rosa Orengo of Panama.
Without question the most popular Colonel on campus this year was Walter, a fluffy, affectionate and charming Havapoo (a Havanese/poodle mix) who joined President Greg and Angela Cant’s family just before fall classes began. And if any number of circumstances didn’t occur, Walter never would have found his home at Wilkes.
Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes
![Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes typography](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-typography.png)
By Patricia DeViva MEd ’23
![President Cant smiles holding Walter as student Laura De La Rosa Orengo smiles while holding one of Walters paws during the Club Day event](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-01_v2.jpg)
Walter began his duties as the Wilkes ambassador of good will almost immediately when he attended Club Day in early fall, seen here with President Cant and student Laura De La Rosa Orengo of Panama.
Without question the most popular Colonel on campus this year was Walter, a fluffy, affectionate and charming Havapoo (a Havanese/poodle mix) who joined President Greg and Angela Cant’s family just before fall classes began. And if any number of circumstances didn’t occur, Walter never would have found his home at Wilkes.
![a smiling Angela Cant and Walter pictured in front of a Wilkes University step and repeat banner](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-02.jpg)
Almost from the very beginning, Walter made an impact on campus, connecting with students. “The fact that he is a bundle of joy that loves people is just dumb luck,” said Greg Cant. “We have the nicest little creature in the world, and that joy he feels when he interacts with anybody and his whole body wags with joy.” Angela Cant added, “We have been ridiculously lucky. He’s so sweet.” Charnetski was glad they were able to make the connection resulting in a successful adoption. “Walter is an amazing pup! He is the perfect representative for Wilkes University. Walter’s journey aligns with Wilkes’ belief that it doesn’t matter where you came from, it only matters where you’re going.”
When the Cants walk Walter through campus, “students ask all the time, can we pet your dog?” said Greg Cant, “and I tell them—yes that is literally why he lives. Even with other dogs, we’ve never seen him be anything but positive.” Angela Cant agreed. “When we walk through campus students naturally just smile and come right up to us. I love the reaction he gets from them.” Added Greg Cant, “We’ve had multiple occasions where we’ll be walking along and a student will shout out from across campus, ‘WE LOVE YOU WALTER!’”
Indeed, it’s hard not to love Walter.
View the photo gallery of Walter’s first birthday party and follow along with Walter and his busy school schedule on Instagram @wilkesufirstdog
View the photo gallery of Walter’s first birthday party and follow along with Walter and his busy school schedule on Instagram @wilkesufirstdog
![](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-yellow_arrow.png)
![a member of the Wilkes football team wears a jersey and cap and holds Walter as other players look on smiling](https://magazine.wilkes.edu/assets/2023/06/wilkes_spr23-meet_walter-03_v3.jpg)
Members of the football team helped Walter celebrate his first birthday in the Henry Student Center (see photo gallery).