Hi Forum!
Well, I've decided to turn to you all for your thoughts on a decision that has been on my mind for probably about a year now.
I've had my pup for just about 7 years now. I purchased him in my mid-20's on a whim, like many young people, not really understanding that having a dog is about the same as having a kid. I wasn't sure the direction my life would go over the course of the next few years.
I am now 33 years old, and basically I'm torn for a couple of reasons. Mainly because I feel like a selfish jerk for even thinking of finding him a new home.
1. I want to travel. As much as possible, and the one thing that often holds me back is finding my pup a house sitter (or not being able to find a house sistter), or being away too long, etc.
2. I work all day, and he's alone for a good 8-9 hours while I'm away. When I do get home I often don't feel like I am/ or can give him the attention that he needs.
3. I'm a professional photographer (balancing 2 careers currently), and probably in the very near future, will be relocating to a major city for career purposes. Having a dog will make this much more difficult.
I actually got my pup a cat companion a little over a year ago, but my cat is an independent cat, and they aren't really friends so that didn't work.
I'm starting to really feel that he would be much happier in a home with ideally ANOTHER Yorkie, or other dogs in general. Or at least with people who are home more.
Obviously making this decision is one of the most difficult for me to make, and I'm nervous that I won't even be able to follow through, but I can't help but feel that gut feeling that it's the right thing to do at this point. My friends all ADORE him and it's possible that I could easily find a great friend to home him, where I could still see him and keep tabs, but I'm just in the beginning of this process at this point.
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.