First of all, fewdfreak, I am SO sorry about your dog.
Shark, I agree with everyone who has said to get out and try to meet people. That first week is so important, because everyone is in the same position and probably super eager to meet people. Definitely do not call home and boyfriend more than once a day (and try to keep it short).
I was miserable for the first couple weeks. I didn't know anyone from high school who went to my college (I found that appealing, but it was a little scary at first, not knowing anybody). I ended up calling a woman I met at orientation and we talked a lot and ended up becoming best friends. That was awesome, because I didn't go through rush freshman year, and my roommate was very annoying. Still, I called home crying saying "I wanna come home!!!" more than a few times. It passed, though, and especially after the first year, you couldn't pay me to want to go home!