Jan. 14, 2002

Kristin Connolly may be a Wildcat, but it is dogs she truly loves.”I have a passion for animals, but especially dogs,” the sophomore guard said. “It really makes me sad being so far away from them.”

The Connolly family currently owns two dogs in their Seattle, Washington home. One is a Boxer named Chase, while the other, Lucy, is half-Labrador Retriever and half-Rottweiler. But, although Kristin is almost 2,500 miles from her pets, they aren’t the only portion of the family Connolly misses.

“It’s very hard being so far away from home, because I am so close to them all,” she said. “Even though I have been here for almost two years, it is still difficult at times. I take every opportunity I get to go home and visit and my teammates really help me out. We have a good time and they help me to not be homesick so much.”

Connolly feels that even though she is miles from her family and her dogs, her love of animals has helped her to adjust to her new home in Kentucky.

“I will literally pull over my car and stop where I’m going if I see someone walking their dog,” Connolly joked. “It’s a great way to meet new people too.”

When she is able to move out of the dorms – where pets are not allowed – and get her own apartment, Connolly knows the first thing she will bring as a housewarming gift.

“I have to bring one of my dogs back with me,” she said. “That way, I could have a little piece of my family in my new home.”Kristin Connolly may be a Wildcat, but it is dogs she truly loves.

“I have a passion for animals, but especially dogs,” the sophomore guard said. “It really makes me sad being so far away from them.”

The Connolly family currently owns two dogs in their Seattle, Washington home. One is a Boxer named Chase, while the other, Lucy, is half-Labrador Retriever and half-Rottweiler. But, although Kristin is almost 2,500 miles from her pets, they aren’t the only portion of the family Connolly misses.

“It’s very hard being so far away from home, because I am so close to them all,” she said. “Even though I have been here for almost two years, it is still difficult at times. I take every opportunity I get to go home and visit and my teammates really help me out. We have a good time and they help me to not be homesick so much.”

Connolly feels that even though she is miles from her family and her dogs, her love of animals has helped her to adjust to her new home in Kentucky.

“I will literally pull over my car and stop where I’m going if I see someone walking their dog,” Connolly joked. “It’s a great way to meet new people too.”

When she is able to move out of the dorms – where pets are not allowed – and get her own apartment, Connolly knows the first thing she will bring as a housewarming gift.

“I have to bring one of my dogs back with me,” she said. “That way, I could have a little piece of my family in my new home.”