Yorkielover_201

[kp&nala]

I've been reading some past posts from you and I just wanted to give you a little advice to consider. I am in no way trying to be mean or anything like that, I just know where your coming from. When I was about your age I wanted a puppy so bad I couldn't stand it and of course I was going to play with it every day, take it on walks, always remember to feed it etc. Well on my 11th birthday I finally got my wish. But truth is even though I helped take care of my new puppy I was no where near ready to take on the full responsibility of taking care of a dog. I had no money for vet bills, toys, spay surgery etc. My mom and dad were left to do all that. I now have Nala, a job and am a lot more responsible she is truely my dog. But there have been times that my mom has had to loan me money for vet bills. A dog is a major responsibiltiy. When your 12 you don't think about unexpected illnesses or grooming costs and most 12 year olds don't have the money for when these issues come up. I'm not trying to put a damper on your hopes of getting a yorkie but you have to make sure your mom and dad are willing to take care of the dog. Your still very young and your going to want to go and do lots of things as you get older (as most kids do) and your parents are going to have to be willing to give you dog attention and love when you can't. I'm not trying to imply that your parents wouldn't or anything. But so many times parents get their kids a dog and when the kid stops showing interest or their schedules get busy the parents may decide a dog is no longer needed or wanted and so many times those poor dogs end up in a shelter. This is something that I am learning a lot about as I just started helping out at our local animal shelter. You really may want to consider holding off until your a little older to get a dog. You seem like you really love animals, maybe you could volunteer at your local animal shelter since you out for summer vacation. I really hope I didn't hurt your feelings or come off as being harsh, but I do know exactly how you feel and I know that right now you are a 100% sure that you will take care of this dog and provide everything for it, but the truth is you really can't provide EVERYTHING the dog will need. Your going to need a lot of help from you parents.

[luzangela428]

Very well said..and the shelter idea sounded great!!!!

[browniesmom622]

i agree i got brownie when i was 16 and since then i have no life i have to ask my mom to babysit its like having a baby but you can take it everywhere i wanted to go skating last night my mom didnt really wanna watch him so i had to hurry up and go and not be long it is hard if your parents are willing to help you with everything even watching the dog them go right ahead and get one good luck oh and dont take our posts to be mean cause were not being mean at alll!!!!!!!

[yorkielover_201]

mom and dad are going to help me with the bills and everything and no u didnt hurt my feeling about that i understand all yall have the best intesedions i wish there was a locited seler here but there not one around her i fell that i could take care of one with mom and dads help

[browniesmom622]

ok thats great what about taking care of the dog with school and friends ???

[browniesmom622]

oh and heres a list of shelters i dont know if any of them are near you check it out !

http://www.netpets.org/dogs/dogresc/alabama.htm

[kp&nala]

Yes, what I about friends I forgot to mention that. I'm 20 and when Nala came along my social life became nonexistant, lol. If you do get a yorkie a lot of things you may want to do will have to take a backseat. Again I'm not trying to discourage you from getting a dog, but dogs, especially yorkies require alot of time and a lot of your patients because they can be somewhat stubborn!!! lol.

[Fran42478]

I got Sammi at 26...Social life?? HAAAAAAAAA...NON-EXISTANT NOW...and if I do go out...I cannot tell you how many times I call my mom to check on her...Its like having a child...

[luzangela428]

23 here...absolutely no life...my bf and I don't even go to the movies or out to dinner that often anymore because of Maximus....lol..if I was single I really probably never see a single living soul other then people at work and the petstore..lol..or friends that have to visit..lol

[browniesmom622]

wow we should make a club the ""nolife club"" lol

[yorkielover_201]

there one in trenton GA that close to me but mom would drive to there i dont ever see my friend in the summer and i onley usly see them at school unless they come stay the night at my house that all i see them. Mom would take care of him when i am at school becouse she love aniamls just like me

[Fran42478]

HAHAHAHA!! The "nolife" club...I like that...

[miss gracie]

40 here when I got Mr. Bentley. Much much different than having a child. You can take them with you anywhere, but a puppy isn't allowed in alot of places. Wouldn't trade him for anything tho'.

[kp&nala]

I still live at home with mom, dad, sister and 2 other dogs and when I do have to leave Nala I feel sooo guilty. On the weekends my friends call and want to know what I'm doing, I simply tell them, "Well me and Nala are going to hang out and watch some moives" the reply with, "KP you have no life!" lol

[centralnewyorki]

I agree with you, kp&nala.

Yorkies are such needy dogs; They need attention and need grooming, and neither can be ignored. I think back to high school and can't imagine having that responsibility considering everything else that goes on- dances, homecomings, practices, parties, sleep overs, dates, work, homework, etc, etc. You may have a certain lifestyle now, but at 12, you're far from what you'll be like as a young adult. I would make sure that your parents are 100% committed to taking care of a dog themselves because the dog may very well become their responsibitily. There are going to be numerous times when you're going to want to hang out with friends in the next couple of years. High school is a lot of fun, and you'll miss so much if you're spending nights at home with a dog. They require constant supervision for quite a while, and can't just be left to sleep or play on their own- God knows what they can get into! Don't get me wrong- I love my yorkie, but I also loved high school and all that went along with it. I didn't spend many afternoons/evenings home during high school because there was always something going on. I would hate for there to be a puppy sitting at home, waiting for you to return. You also need to think about what's going to happen if you go away to college. That's only 6 or so years away- your puppy will still have half of his or her life left at that point (possibly more.) Are your parents willing to take care of the dog once you leave? My sister got a dog right after she graduated from high school, right before she left for college. My mom was distracted by the cute puppy face, and didn't think about the fact that she was going to be the mommy to this puppy. My sister lives in Florida (we're in NY), and I always feel bad for Belle when her mommy leaves.

I know this is something that you want now, but you have to think of what your life is going be like 2, 3, 4,... years down the road. I think I remember you saying that you feel left out by your friends sometimes and want a yorkie for companionship. I would suggest either getting an easier breed or try to make new friends. I know it's easier said than done, but when I found myself drifting away from my group of friends in middle school, I made myself make new friends, and found a great group of girls that were so much fun to be with.

Please just consider all of the factors. If you decide a yorkie is still the dog for you, then great. Just please don't forget that you're getting a living creature that will have needs that will have to come before your needs for quite a while.