Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes

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

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.

The Cants always had dogs in the family, but their elderly pup passed earlier in 2022. With their busy lives, they weren’t even thinking about getting another. But one Sunday morning last August while they were having coffee, Angela Cant saw a Facebook post from Wilkes grad and Board of Trustees member Cindy Charnetski ’97. The photo showed the sweet face of an adorable furry white dog who had just been dropped off at Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in Dallas, Pa. “I saw this little guy,” said Angela, “and I thought, oh gosh he’s cute.” Angela shared the photo with Greg Cant, and decided to find out more from Charnetski, who is passionate about animal rescue and volunteers her time at the farm (read more about the Blue Chip Animal Refuge alumni connections). “She got right back to me and said that unfortunately, the dog had already been adopted,” said Angela Cant, “and we thought, oh well, it’s not meant to be.”

Meet Walter, The First Dog of Wilkes

By Patricia DeViva MEd ’23

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.

The Cants always had dogs in the family, but their elderly pup passed earlier in 2022. With their busy lives, they weren’t even thinking about getting another. But one Sunday morning last August while they were having coffee, Angela Cant saw a Facebook post from Wilkes grad and Board of Trustees member Cindy Charnetski ’97. The photo showed the sweet face of an adorable furry white dog who had just been dropped off at Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in Dallas, Pa. “I saw this little guy,” said Angela, “and I thought, oh gosh he’s cute.” Angela shared the photo with Greg Cant, and decided to find out more from Charnetski, who is passionate about animal rescue and volunteers her time at the farm (read more about the Blue Chip Animal Refuge alumni connections). “She got right back to me and said that unfortunately, the dog had already been adopted,” said Angela Cant, “and we thought, oh well, it’s not meant to be.”

But then fate stepped in. Angela Cant got a text the next morning from Charnetski. “She said the dog was available again, and did we want to see him,” she remembered. “But Cindy also said, you have to come today because there’s a list a mile long of people who are interested.” Greg and Angela Cant drove up to the farm that afternoon, and the rest is history. “We saw that little face,” she remembered, “and we took him home that night.”

a smiling Angela Cant and Walter pictured in front of a Wilkes University step and repeat banner

Angela Cant with Walter on Giving Day, where students posed for a selfie with Walter for a small donation (see our Giving Day recap).

When choosing a name, the Cants say that of course it would begin with W. After thinking about it and asking around, Walter just seemed to fit. “It’s an older, traditional name, and he’s got gray hair and kind of looks like Walter Matthau,” Angela Cant laughed.

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

a member of the Wilkes football team wears a jersey and cap and holds Walter as other players look on smiling

Members of the football team helped Walter celebrate his first birthday in the Henry Student Center (see photo gallery).

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