I agree with you 100%.
I, like Tricia, own a tiny. My Cali is a Chihuahua but the rules of tinies apply to any breed. Cali is 1 lb and 2 ounces and she is 8 months old. HEALTH WISE, she is PERFECT. But SIZE WISE, well that's another story. She can NEVER EVER fall off the couch again. She did once and got seriously hurt -- I had to rush her at 6 a.m. to the Emergency Vet. I was getting dressed for work and Tia accidentally knocked her off the couch and on to the carpeted floor. Cali SCREAMED and SCREAMED and SCREAMED and SCREAMED!! Have you ever heard a dog scream before? If you haven't, pray that you never do because the sound is absolutely terrifying. Hubby and I rushed her to the ER vet and I balled my eyes out all the way there. THANK GOD she was ok but the vet HIGHLY WARNED us never to allow her to fall off the couch again if we can so prevent it. He said due to her size, she could have EASILY broken something or even killed herself ... he said it was a MIRACLE that she was unharmed.
Also, I may not be able to spay her. Hubby and I are still deciding what to do buy several vets and specialists have confirmed that she is a HIGH RISK because of her size. Plus, it will cost much more than spaying a regular size dog would (we're talking anywhere from $1,500 - $2,000). In addition, they will want to run a series of blood tests before the operation and keep her in the animal hopsital after the operation for a few days or until they feel it's safe to bring her home.
I always have to be careful when she's playing with Codie and Tia. Even though Cali is tiny, she likes to play rough. She thinks she is a big dog and that really isn't to her benefit. She takes risks and I always have to be on my guard with her to keep her safe.
There are also other things to be careful of with tinies but the list is long and I don't want to hog up the thread.
With that being said, do I regret getting Cali? ABSOLUTELT NOT!! I cannot imagine my life without her. She's my special little girl and I really think I would die if anything ever happened to her. She's the little love of my life. But do I CONSTANTLY worry about her? ABSOLUTELY! Not a moment goes by where I do think about her all day while I'm at work.
I really hope you don't take my post in a negative way or get offended because I do truly not at all mean it to come across like that. I just wanted to give you a viewpoint from someone who actually OWNS a tiny. If you'd like any more info, please feel free to PM me. I'd love to talk to you some more about this. I wish you and Zoe all the best of luck.
Please give little Zoe a kiss from Codie, Tia and little Cali.