YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Adopting an Older Yorkie as Your First Dog?

mizfit · 09-06-2011, 06:52 AM

I'm wondering if it would be a foolish idea to adopt an older yorkie as my first dog. He is 11 years old, seems rather energetic, but has cataracts. He was given to the shelter when his owner died a few days ago. I am concerned about adopting a dog this old, because I'm afraid the medical expenses will be off the charts. I will be going off to college in a year, and I'm not sure how I would feel about my mom getting attached to a dog and then having it die with her. Talk about an empty nest.... So my questions are:

1. How long have your yorkies lived? How long do you think he would realistically live?

2. Is it really bad that he has cataracts? Will this pose a huge problem?

3. What are the typical ailments and expenses as they get old?

Thank you all so much. You have been a great help so far in helping me choose.

09-06-2011, 06:52 AM	#1
mizfit Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Cape May, NJ, USA Posts: 19	Adopting an Older Yorkie as Your First Dog? I'm wondering if it would be a foolish idea to adopt an older yorkie as my first dog. He is 11 years old, seems rather energetic, but has cataracts. He was given to the shelter when his owner died a few days ago. I am concerned about adopting a dog this old, because I'm afraid the medical expenses will be off the charts. I will be going off to college in a year, and I'm not sure how I would feel about my mom getting attached to a dog and then having it die with her. Talk about an empty nest.... So my questions are: 1. How long have your yorkies lived? How long do you think he would realistically live? 2. Is it really bad that he has cataracts? Will this pose a huge problem? 3. What are the typical ailments and expenses as they get old? Thank you all so much. You have been a great help so far in helping me choose.