[alaskayorkie]

I applaud you for doing your research and seeking help from this forum. You are one mature 13-year-old!

I would keep talking to your Mom. You could guess at her reasons forever, but maybe you're missing something.

My problem with youths taking on the responsibility of owning a dog is that the dog, hopefully, will be around long after you've gone off to college, etc. If your Mom lets you have a dog, she's silently agreeing to take care of the dog when you go to an apartment that doesn't allow dogs.

And expenses after getting the dog are worth considering. I've spent far more on vet bills than I ever paid for a Yorkie. You fall and love with them and will do anything you want, but surgeries can run in the thousands of dollars.

Here's another idea: How about a senior dog from animal control? I've got a 10-year-old now that is just as much fun as when he was a puppy. Senior dogs should be through housetraining. Senior dogs are cheaper. And if you adopt a 10-year-old, he or she will have lived a full life by about the time you're ready to move out.

I know, I know, puppies are so much fun.