I am 26, live on my own with TWO yorkies and work full time. I have to disagree with taking a couple weeks off of work to adjust the new puppy to your place - while it's nice to spend that time with them and get them adjusted and start TRAINING - it will only make it more difficult for your puppy when you do go back to work. Your puppy will have gotten used to you being around all day with her and then suddenly you're gone all day. Not a good idea. When I brought Oscar home for the first time, I made sure to get him on a weekend so I could spend a couple days with him getting used to his new surroundings, pee pads, etc. I brought Ruthie home just a few months later and I am so glad that I did - she and Oscar are great company for each other during the day while I'm out.
LOTS of people have dogs and work full time - how else do you afford to care for them? Some people use their lunch time to go home and spend some time with the dog, take it out etc. There are doggy daycares - if you're concerned about the puppy being home alone all day, you could try a daycare - even if it's just a couple days a week - this is also good for socializing the dog. I think it is important for people that do work full time to understand that after work is DOG TIME. You can't go to work all day, then go out after work for the night and expect to have a happy dog. My two seemed to have worked out a schedule around me - they sleep during the day while I'm at work and when I get home, they're ready to PLAY! And we do!
You just have to ask yourself how well you HONESTLY think a dog will fit into your lifestyle - not just meaning the fact that you work. What about your social life? Having a dog can put restrictions on how 'flexible' you are for making plans, traveling, etc. Do you have time for a dog? Walks? Have you thought about how you will train it? Potty training? Pee pads?
As far as the cost - it really depends on the health of your dog. In that respect, it's kindof just the 'luck of the draw'. We all purchase our puppies thinking/hoping that they will be healthy all their lives, but sadly that just isn't always the case. I've been VERY lucky with my two - only major vet costs have been their spay/neuter surgeries (the cost of which can vary from one vet to another). Standard vet visits are generally inexpensive - you'll probably find that you visit the vet more in the first few months of having your puppy (getting it up to date on shots, ect.) but after that, if the dog is healthy, all that is required are yearly boosters. I opted for pet insurance, but putting away a little money every month for 'emergencies' is a good idea too. Just being on this site and doing searches for problems has saved me lots of money in vet bills!
If you have the means (money & time) and still want to bring your puppy home despite all the negative feedback you're getting from friends/family - then go for it. If you have any doubts whatsoever - then maybe you should hold off for a bit and see if you still want a yorkie as badly in a year or so.
The bottom line is - a yorkie is a HUGE commitment - are you prepared for a potentially 15 year commitment, if not longer?
Good luck in whatever you decide! |