I empathize! My sense is that there are 3 issues - one is that you are working out your own activities and needs, another is that you are working out Johnny B's needs, and finally you are working out how yours and his needs work together.
First, I would encourage you to work out what you need to be involved in to stay happy, healthy and vital. Exercise, social activities, etc. Do those things even if Johnny B can't come. You and Johnny B will be better for it.
Then, decide which of your activities are good for you and Johnny to do together given your knowledge of each situation and how Johnny does. He's still young (our pup is 2.5 years and is still growing in her travel, social, and intellectual activities) and so how he reacts to different situations may change. So, something that doesn't work well now, may in 6 months or a year so you can revisit activities from time to time. Johnny B will keep you young at heart!
Finally, decide what Johnny needs when he isn't with you. You obviously have a very sharp, intuitive sense of your companion! Johnny is lucky to have you. When we are gone we play doggy music for ours. You can google it! I was surprised that she likes it. All the ideas already given our great. I would add an obstacle course and hide and seek might be good. And yorkies do love to just be with you - sleeping, cuddling - for hours a day.
Also, there maybe a person in your community who can't have a dog fulltime that would love to have a house guest occasionally so that you wouldn't have to pay for day care and someone else could have a valuable companion for a short time. |