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YorkieLove77 · 06-03-2009, 01:41 AM

My little guy and I currently live alone in a fairly small one bedroom apartment, with no balcony and high windows. When I got him at 8 weeks old as a birthday gift from my now ex-bf, we were in a larger home, with lots of windows that he could access and lots of room to play. Ever since I've been in this apartment, I've felt so bad for him. Even though he's small, I still feel like he's so confined...especially when I leave and he's in his x-pen (4x4). When my ex and I broke up I needed to find a place to live right away, and this place was available right away.

Well, thankfully I only signed a 6-month lease, so I'll be moving into a much nicer, larger place in a couple months. However, I have 2 floorplan options, and I'm having trouble deciding. The regular one BR is 900 sq feet, with a nice big balcony. The other one however, is also a one BR, but it also has a 10x11 den/office, and it's 1000 square feet (also has balcony). It's $100 more a month. At first I was against the den option since I really don't need all that space for myself, but then I thought it might be a perfect little playroom for JoJo when I'm not home. I could put all his favorite things in there, along with a bench by the window so he can look outside to his hearts content.

The x-pen has served it's purpose well, and even though it offers much more freedom than a crate (which I still use, but only at night when he goes to bed), I always feel so guilty that he's confined to such a small space while I'm away. And not to mention it's pretty unsightly in the middle of my apartment livingroom. I really want him to feel like he has some freedom while I'm gone, but at the same time I don't want him to possibly hurt himself by giving him access to the entire apartment, so the den option is really enticing. And I'd love to do away with the x-pen.

Now, is this a silly thing to consider? My friends think I'm being ridiculous for considering the larger place for the sake of "a dog", but they just don't get how much he means to me. Since he's come into my life, his needs have always been met before my own, and I would do anything in my power to make him happy and comfortable. That's how I am with those I love, so why would I be any different with my furbaby?

So do you guys think the larger place would be worth it? If it were you, which option would you choose? Obviously, my friends say no, but none of them are pet owners, so they don't get my reasoning. Oh, and the reason I left my ex is because he was being abusive to my baby. He would hit him so hard when he'd have an accident, and if he was home alone with him all day he wouldn't even feed him, claiming it was his punishment for having an accident. I mentioned in a post around that time that he also constantly threatened to get rid of him if he didn't potty train soon, and a member here suggested I leave that jerk. And that's exactly what I did. NO ONE will EVER hurt my sweet little guy again.

06-03-2009, 01:41 AM	#1
YorkieLove77 YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Shelby Twp, MI Posts: 278	Looking for opinions My little guy and I currently live alone in a fairly small one bedroom apartment, with no balcony and high windows. When I got him at 8 weeks old as a birthday gift from my now ex-bf, we were in a larger home, with lots of windows that he could access and lots of room to play. Ever since I've been in this apartment, I've felt so bad for him. Even though he's small, I still feel like he's so confined...especially when I leave and he's in his x-pen (4x4). When my ex and I broke up I needed to find a place to live right away, and this place was available right away. Well, thankfully I only signed a 6-month lease, so I'll be moving into a much nicer, larger place in a couple months. However, I have 2 floorplan options, and I'm having trouble deciding. The regular one BR is 900 sq feet, with a nice big balcony. The other one however, is also a one BR, but it also has a 10x11 den/office, and it's 1000 square feet (also has balcony). It's $100 more a month. At first I was against the den option since I really don't need all that space for myself, but then I thought it might be a perfect little playroom for JoJo when I'm not home. I could put all his favorite things in there, along with a bench by the window so he can look outside to his hearts content. The x-pen has served it's purpose well, and even though it offers much more freedom than a crate (which I still use, but only at night when he goes to bed), I always feel so guilty that he's confined to such a small space while I'm away. And not to mention it's pretty unsightly in the middle of my apartment livingroom. I really want him to feel like he has some freedom while I'm gone, but at the same time I don't want him to possibly hurt himself by giving him access to the entire apartment, so the den option is really enticing. And I'd love to do away with the x-pen. Now, is this a silly thing to consider? My friends think I'm being ridiculous for considering the larger place for the sake of "a dog", but they just don't get how much he means to me. Since he's come into my life, his needs have always been met before my own, and I would do anything in my power to make him happy and comfortable. That's how I am with those I love, so why would I be any different with my furbaby? So do you guys think the larger place would be worth it? If it were you, which option would you choose? Obviously, my friends say no, but none of them are pet owners, so they don't get my reasoning. Oh, and the reason I left my ex is because he was being abusive to my baby. He would hit him so hard when he'd have an accident, and if he was home alone with him all day he wouldn't even feed him, claiming it was his punishment for having an accident. I mentioned in a post around that time that he also constantly threatened to get rid of him if he didn't potty train soon, and a member here suggested I leave that jerk. And that's exactly what I did. NO ONE will EVER hurt my sweet little guy again.