Looking for opinions
 

My little guy and I currently live alone in a fairly small one bedroom apartment, with no balcony and high windows. When I got him at 8 weeks old as a birthday gift from my now ex-bf, we were in a larger home, with lots of windows that he could access and lots of room to play. Ever since I've been in this apartment, I've felt so bad for him. Even though he's small, I still feel like he's so confined...especially when I leave and he's in his x-pen (4x4). When my ex and I broke up I needed to find a place to live right away, and this place was available right away.

Well, thankfully I only signed a 6-month lease, so I'll be moving into a much nicer, larger place in a couple months. However, I have 2 floorplan options, and I'm having trouble deciding. The regular one BR is 900 sq feet, with a nice big balcony. The other one however, is also a one BR, but it also has a 10x11 den/office, and it's 1000 square feet (also has balcony). It's $100 more a month. At first I was against the den option since I really don't need all that space for myself, but then I thought it might be a perfect little playroom for JoJo when I'm not home. I could put all his favorite things in there, along with a bench by the window so he can look outside to his hearts content.

The x-pen has served it's purpose well, and even though it offers much more freedom than a crate (which I still use, but only at night when he goes to bed), I always feel so guilty that he's confined to such a small space while I'm away. And not to mention it's pretty unsightly in the middle of my apartment livingroom. I really want him to feel like he has some freedom while I'm gone, but at the same time I don't want him to possibly hurt himself by giving him access to the entire apartment, so the den option is really enticing. And I'd love to do away with the x-pen.

Now, is this a silly thing to consider? My friends think I'm being ridiculous for considering the larger place for the sake of "a dog", but they just don't get how much he means to me. Since he's come into my life, his needs have always been met before my own, and I would do anything in my power to make him happy and comfortable. That's how I am with those I love, so why would I be any different with my furbaby?

So do you guys think the larger place would be worth it? If it were you, which option would you choose? Obviously, my friends say no, but none of them are pet owners, so they don't get my reasoning. Oh, and the reason I left my ex is because he was being abusive to my baby. He would hit him so hard when he'd have an accident, and if he was home alone with him all day he wouldn't even feed him, claiming it was his punishment for having an accident. I mentioned in a post around that time that he also constantly threatened to get rid of him if he didn't potty train soon, and a member here suggested I leave that jerk. And that's exactly what I did. NO ONE will EVER hurt my sweet little guy again.

If I were t make the decision ,and it was only $100 more each month, i would go for it :) ANd you will have the den , go for it ! It does not matter what your friends think. You do what you feel is right for you and your Yorkie.
It makes me angry and sad that your baby was abused like that ! So glad you got rid of him. I hope your yorkie has not suffered any long term emotional damage/behavior problems from being mistreated.
Best of luck to you , with the decision you make .:thumbup:

I would definitely go with the larger place for BOTH of you!

Sounds reasonable, I would move to a larger apt. Good for you, Im glad you ditched the guy, if he was hitting your dog because of his lack of wanting to train then he would have hit your children. Once an abuser always an abuser..

Yorkies love to be little "Nosemarys" the more room the better.. Congrats on ditching the abuser, Any man who doesn't love your dog/dogs surely can't love anything...

You can tell a LOT about a person's character by how the treat animals.

:yeahthat:I agree totally!

:bravo: on ditching the loser! my DH smacked my furbabies nose ONE time and i told him if he did that again i'd smack his nose and then leave :mad: NEVER again will he do that!

I'd go w/ the bigger place. If you're second guessing how you're doggie will be then go w/ what you want for the both of you. If you go w/ the smaller place you'll be mad at yourself. Good luck in your choice! :thumbup:

Bigger is better
 

Both you and your fur baby would probably enjoy the extra room. It would give him more freedom and you more peace of mind at not having to keep him in the x pen. If it were me I would go for more room. Just be sure you can afford the extra $ 100.00 dollars a month. It would be a shame to have to uproot your baby again if your finances change a bit.

Mhmm, definitely go for the larger one. $100 extra a month isn't much to pay for the extra space. And your baby will definitely benefit from it. It's a win-win in my opinion.

When me and my DH were looking for a place we ended up getting the Townhouse we are currently in, it has 2 bedrooms, one for us and one for him lol. the second bedroom is his!! Of course it is used for guests also, we have a bed in there but it is put up against the wall with the window so he can get up on the bed and look out the window, we have food and water in there along with his toys and his bed. We get made fun of all the time when we tell people he has his own room but I don't care what they think, my Bandit is my baby, I look at his as he is my child. He gives me so much love and puts joy in my heart, I would never change what I have done. Him having his own room has been great, he has the freedom to run and jump and play and of course watch out the window for his mommy and daddy to pull up (it's in the front of the townhouse) so it's been the best thing I could do. I would for sure go for the bigger place, you will not regret it and it will be worth the money!!

I totally understand! My husband and I just moved from an apartment to a house, and to paying almost $500/month more because of our furbaby, Lulu. We wanted her to have more space and a back yard to play in. And now that we have the space... we're getting another one!!!! :p So yeah, you never know what will happen in the future. You might get another puppy, start a new relationship or whatever.... Get the bigger space. And it will make you feel good that you did the best thing for JoJo!

If you can afford it, take the bigger apartment. He will love having his own space, and I can just see him sitting on his little bench watching out the window. You sound like a great mommy! :)

I would go with the larger of the two. You never know when someone is going to ask you if you want a really cool piece of furniture or something large that you just can't live without and would have to pay to store anyways:rolleyes:. Seems like that always happens to me, I'm on furniture overload:p.

Both of you will enjoy the extra space to grow! And it is another room that you have to spend quality time in with your baby, that way you dont feel like you live in your living room on the couch, been there, it gets old fast!

Well everyone, you have helped me tremendously with my decision. I'm going to go with the larger apt with the den. Thanks to you guys now I know I'm not making a silly decision. As much as I love the new apartment, and can't wait to move, I'm more excited for JoJo to have all that extra space and his own room!

Here's a pic of the floor plan with the den...I decided on the second floor with the cathedral ceilings. :)

Love it, you will be very happy there. You made a great decision.

The bigger apt. definitely will be great for the both of you, especially if you can afford it.
Congrats on leaving the abuser. If he hit your puppy, what is to stop him from hitting you, or your children later on? I know it is tough leaving someone that you thought was your life, but consider it a gift from god that you left. I have known too many women who stay and think that it will stop, and it usually does, with them in the ground.
Best of luck, you sound like you have a sound head on your shoulders. Keep us posted on your baby.

I think the decision you've made is a great one! I wouldn't bother telling your friends that it's for JoJo either. It's none of their business and you'll just avoid any snide comments from them. This way you'll have more room to have a few friends over at a time if you so wish. Isn't it amazing how much we will do for these precious babies of ours? I love it!!

I would go for the largest one too. I would also make sure the next bf loves animals. That says alot about a person. I can't believe that jerk withheld food from that baby. And hit him???????? Oh, my gosh my blood is boiling right now. If he would do that do that little thing, think what he would do if you married and had children. Boy, that would be one of my priorites that they loved animals. Pity the person that ends up with him. Good for you for getting rid of him before you ended up being his next victim he was going to teach a lesson too. God bless you and that little baby.

I would go for the larger place too. If it's only $100 and you can afford it - then go for it. One thing I wanted to mention is look at the balcony and make sure your baby can't squeeze through anywhere!

One of the couples in our complex has a tiny Yorkie. They went to Lowes or Home Depot and bought a roll of fine black mesh and attached it all around the balcony so Princess can't fall off.

Your apartment is lovely. I noticed that the den does not share a wall with another apartment, which is good if JoJo tries to test out her lungs.

JoJo...love the name! Good luck in your new home!!!

sorry, i only read your first post, so hopefully i am not repeating what people have already told you.

well, you are on a forum with a bunch or yorkie lovers, so of course most of us are going to say. the bigger one!!! the bigger one!!! :p

that said, it depends on your financial situation. if that extra $100 puts a strain on your budget, than i don't think it's a good idea to do so. if it doesn't, than i think that it's a really good deal!!!

i know the apartments in my area will charge $100 just for having pets. you get the same size room, the $100 is just to pay for having a pet in the apartment.

i personally don't like it when people think we are silly for treating our pets the way we do. :( i think it's kind of rude. i don't tell THEM how they should spend their money or how they should treat their family members. so why are they telling us that we are crazy!?

If you can afford it, I would definitely go with the larger place. You can get a baby gate for the den and the pup can have lots of room to run while you are at work. And extra storage space for you if you need it. :)

Just saw the floor plan. Looks like a great place and what a nice room for Jojo. You will love it!!!:p