Empty Nest...before or after?

[Teresa Ford]

Retired, Crazy Yorkie Lady.
Most YTers know in the 70s and 80s when my children were young, my husband (RIP) and I raised, trained and showed Labs.
After the kids got older, they bought me a Yorkie, so I would have a baby to spoil. I have had Yorkies since the 80s.

[Britster]

Before!! I got Jax when I was 18. I am so excited to have him be a part of my life through so many major moments. He's already been there for me through so much (he's almost 3 1/2 and I'm 21) and I so look forward to sharing so much more of my life with him. While I don't think it's a good age for most people to get puppies, for me it worked out for the best and I don't think I'll ever have as much of a connection with another dog or be able to spend as much time as I have with him.

[Pinky94]

Pre-baby. My pup is my baby for now And we both like it that way, lol.

[Princess10]

My daughter is 14 now & we got Princess 2 years ago. I never wanted a dog & wasn't originally attracted to yorkies, but once researched I fell in love. I want a playmate for her but dd doesn't (Princess gets too spoiled already apparently), so I'm already planning on getting another yorkie when dd graduates. She's debating local school & may stay home, but either way, I'm getting another! I know it will ease the empty nest I'll be having since she's my one & only child.

[dinkyweil]

We are empty nesters, but we do not have grandchildren yet.
Dinky is in some ways a "granddog" for us. I think we are at a good age to have a Yorkie. We are retired so we don't have to leave the dog to go to work, and with no kids or grandkids anywhere in sight, we can pay way too much attention to him.

[Sandysbabies]

We are empty nesters and our furbabies are our babies. We love them as if they were our very own children. Our children live out of town and we don't see them real often and my furbabies fill that void. I would have them even if we had never had children. I love animals period. I have 2 sons from a previous marriage and my husband has 2 daughters from a previous marriage, so these are our babies together. lol!!!

[hnybun128]

Well, my son was getting older (just 15 went we brought our first home) and my biological clock was definitely ticking... Having another baby wasn't an option at the time, so I guess getting my Yorkies did provide me with new babies to spoil.

[Jacksmom052709]

I have always had a dog - even when I was little. When our youngest daughter was about one year old, we went out and bought our dog, Max. He was a Shetland sheepdog and an absolute joy to have - very smart, family oriented, loving, etc. and also very hairy. We believe Max suffered a stroke at the age of 13 and we made the tough call to put him to sleep. We had three cats and hubby really didn't want another dog (hubby was more of a cat person than I was). So about two weeks after Max had been put to sleep, I just couldn't stand not having a dog in the house. I went to a pet store (would never do that again after educating myself about pet stores) and was actually looking to buy another Shetland sheepdog. Unfortunately or (in reality) fortunately, both that were there had been sold. I looked at a really cute little Pomeranian (but noted that her fur was flying around - she was starting to shed) and then saw Jack and his sister. We took them into the "play room" and I fell in love with the little guy. Oh, I forgot to mention, my oldest had moved out the summer that Max passed over the rainbow bridge. So yes, empty nest syndrome but not just because the skin child left, also because my other fur baby was gone. And as a follow up to hubby being a cat person - he is totally head over heels in love with Jack - that's "daddy's boy." LOL

[ralphthepoodle]

I am single and no where looking for kids. I have just Ralph and wonder why people bother having kids! I don't have to deal with talking back or college tuition heheh. (;

[yorkietalkjilly]

Nothing quite like a Yorkie!

(Love this!)

[ralphthepoodle]

Oh forgot to add but I was the only child for my mom and she is so alone without me so ive been looking into getting her either a yorkie or chi! Like surprise her one day with a pooch!

[VelvetRose]

I grew up with a yorkie and a Chow/Golden retriever mix. They were the homies hehe. Loved those two fellas soo much. But then my yorkie, Speedy, passed away, I moved out of home (apartment wouldn't allow Chow), got married, and had 3 handsome boys (2,5,8), but I was still missing something. So I finally convinced the hubby to let me get a yorkie and that was when Darla came into our lives. I was worried at first because everyone says yorkies aren't for families with young children, but she has been great. I like to say she's my daughter =) And the boys LOVE her.
My hubby likes her but he is not a pet person (doesn't like dogs on the couch/bed, doesn't like them licking, that kind of person), but I like to think he if finally coming around. I've caught her a couple of time on the couch with him, I've noticed him petting her at the door when he gets home from work, and he is interested in the dresses I get her. hehe

[Donnainohio63]

I have two Grand daughters I am raising but all of my children are grown and gone. I just kinda fell into the dogs lol and I am so happy I did

[mky]

I guess I have a full nest. 4 kids, the oldest is 20, youngest is 13. The first one is leaving the nest in July. My older son who is 19 will be going to boot camp.
My husband surprised me with Kiko as a present for our 20th anniversary.

[unc1504]

Ralph,

I get the sense you are a good and responsbile dog owner, but I was a bit concerned to see you post about surprsing your mom with a dog. I hope you didn't literally mean surprise since that's a bad idea with a pet. Good intentions could lead to a heavy unwanted burden if your mom doesn't actually want a dog.

*sorry, Ralphthepoodle*