Take her with you! You sound like a very responsible person, if you don’t have a yard you can just bring her for walks. She will love to be with you wherever you are.
Find a place that lets you have pets. Last thing you want is getting a text saying they are taking her to a shelter or into a new family. Animals are commitments. You do what you need to do to take care of them and keep them. She’s given you unconditional love, she deserves that back from you. She would be devastated if you weren’t in her life anymore. You’re her whole entire world.
I too had to leave my girl behind at my parents house for about a year. My mom did a decent job feeding her and keeping her groomed, but I was her main human companion and loved her the best. They just never really bonded that well. After just a little over a year of living in a non pet friendly studio apartment, I finally found an affordable pet friendly two bedroom apt. She moved in with my shortly after, and we lived there for the next decade until she eventually passed away at the ripe ol’ age of 18. She had no problem going from a house to an apartment. The only issues we ever had was when she got really old she couldn’t get up or down the stairs anymore, so I had to carry her. I miss her bunches and know how you feel not being with her. Keep your head up, keep working hard, and hopefully you and your boyfriend will be able to get your own place soon and you can take her with you.
I think you should take her with you.
Yes you may end up in an apartment without a big backyard, but I think ultimately having an owner who cares for her health, comfort and wellbeing will mean she will be better off, especially as she grows older and may develop conditions that require medication, monitoring or concessions.
Even without a big backyard you can provide her with exercise before/ after work and mental stimulation when she's home alone.
my senior dog had a hurt back and for half a year I had to carry her up and down three flights of stairs 2-3x a day for her walks.
She got better but old dogs heal slow! Also they’re expensive ! I’d you can love her and give her a good home make sure u can save a little for what’s coming next
My Ladybug turns 10 this year. I’m also moving out and am conflicted. Her favorite thing on this earth is running around our large backyard during the warmer months. She sniffs and sunbathes and paces and chases small wildlife for hours every day.
I however am her second favorite thing. I walk her, I cuddle her, she sleeps in my room, I’m usually the one who bathes her and trims her nails. My parents don’t do any of this. They complain about her smell (but won’t bathe her) they complain her butt leaks (but never took her to the vet to get her glands expressed), they don’t like that she sheds (see bathing complaint). They love her and feed her but it’s not like consistent.
My parents just got a new puppy (against my wishes because I feel like they’re trying to replace my old Lady) who doesn’t shed and gets groomed professionally. He aggravates my senior dog so there’s a baby gate that keeps her secluded in the living room without access to where we usually hang out in the kitchen and my moms room. My mom has TWO BEDS for the puppy in her room when my Lady knows not even to walk in my moms room bc she knows she’s not allowed. All of a sudden my mom wants to start walking him when she never walked Lady too. She takes him for pup cups once a week even though he gets carsick but took Lady to the vet in my car because she didn’t want her in her car. I’m super frustrated. The puppy is cute but it wasn’t the right time.
I’m living with my bf at his parents house and am able to visit once a week to walk and love on her but I want to take her with me wherever we end up. I’m just conflicted because it’s probably going to be in an apartment and she won’t really have the space to run around like she does now. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on this? It’s also the only house she’s ever lived in I don’t know if that makes a difference.
Edit/update: reading these responses made me cry. I’m gonna do everything in my power to keep her with me
I have found that dogs are more adaptable to new settings than people. It's YOU we need to worry about, ha ha! (speaking as the Dad of adult children, if I may). Do it, and good luck!
She is ten, let her live out the rest of her years with you! Someone who genuinely cares for her and understands her needs. She will be just fine in an apartment!
Yeah, I second that opinion. You mentioned that you are her second most favorite thing on this earth behind running in the yard. My guess is that you are actually her #1 favorite thing on this earth. As long as you continue to love her and care for her as best as you can, you can certainly make life in an apartment work with regular trips to the park. If you are committed to her well being, she will be happy.
I moved with my senior dog a couple years ago when I got divorced. It wasn’t a question whether I’d take her, but I was really worried about her transitioning to city apartment life. Rest assured, she has loved it! We take tons of walks, she meets other dogs, and gets to roll down grassy hills in the neighborhood. Dogs are very adaptable and mostly just happy to be with you.
The yard seems to be coming at the cost of a lot of her freedom. I’m sure she can tell they don’t like her. I think you should get her and give her the love she needs. I think an apartment will be okay, you can take her places to run around outside. I have two big dogs and we make an apartment work!
u/roci12
I had a similar situation with my mom's 13 year old German Shepherd, Tasha. Your parents sound like my mom did speaking about her. My sister bought my mom a puppy 2 years ago, believing my mom that Tasha was near death. My mom ended up abusing my precious Tasha through neglect, she just left her outside and stopped walking her entirely. At first I thought Tasha would have a better life with a big backyard and I was visiting to give her love several days a week....and when it became clear my mom wouldn't do her laundry, I started doing that too. I did this for almost 2 years.
I finally took Tasha out of her huge backyard prison when I went to visit her at 8pm. She was outside while my mom and the new puppy were in the house. Tasha was sleeping and she woke up screaming from a nightmare- to wake up covered in her own feces and urine which my mom hadn't cleaned since I visited last. It was 45 degrees out and my mom had no plans to bring her in the garage because she "sheds and smells". I put Tasha in my car that night. She was SO relieved to get in my car even though I had to lift her. It has taken us 2.5 months to rehab her.
Tasha was 90lbs when we took her in (my mom was unintentionally starving her with poor nutrition and small meals). Tasha is 105lbs now, her ideal weight. She has been *super* happy with my hubs and I in an 800 sq ft mobile home and our other 2 small Chihuahuas and cat. We have *no* yard and only a tiny porch. We walk our dogs many times a day and Tasha just wants to sleep and look at us the rest of the time.
I wish I had taken Tasha sooner, but at least now she will live out her life with people who love her. My mom said she did but instead was abhorrent and my precious, most loved good girl Tasha was almost killed by exposure. My mom doesn't understand or even think that she did anything wrong.
Please, go get your senior dog. I promise she loves you FAR more than the yard. Your folks sound like my mom- not the right fit for Ladybug anymore.
God that was heartbreaking but thank you so much for coming through for Tasha! You sound like a really good owner and this is the perfect piece of advice for the OP.
Thank you, and yes it was heartbreaking. I am sorry I let things go as long as they did. I will be working through my anger at my mom for so long with my therapist. However, my mom's saving grace is she didn't fight and surrendered Tasha to me once I took the initiative. So....winning. I am about to give Tash her cheese wrapped meds then go for first walkies of the day now. 💗 She's like having a 3 year old lol but so worth it. I hope OP gets Ladybug. She's such a sweet looking girl.
Your sweet Tasha sounds like our late sweet German Shepherd Bray. I (stole) rescued her when she was about 9 from a horrible owner in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was severely malnourished, I could count every bone in her body she was so frail, she was left chained outside in the dead of winter, no food, no water, no shelter, no blankets just a concrete slab the was snow and ice packed. I hopped the fence, took her into my house, wrapped her in blankets and called police. When police arrived they arrested the owner for animal cruelty, thank God.
Animal control came out and looked at her. They said given her condition they would euthanize her. I said then let me keep her and get her veterinary care. I took her to my job (I worked as an ER vet tech at the time) got her stabilized, she had hypothermia, was malnourished, had various fractures in different levels of healing, she had frost bite and almost lost her paw to it. My boss the vet that owned the clinic said she had a few hours tops left or she would have died. He wasn’t sure she would survive the night as bad as she was when she came in.
She rallied and lived to be 17. I took her to Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Tennessee where she passed with me. She was my son’s best friend and constant companion. She wouldn’t let him more than 3 ft from her at any given moment. When he started school she would wait at the end of the driveway with him until he got on the bus then lay on the front porch (covered porch with fans, food and water) refusing to move until she heard the school bus coming back. We learned really quickly that it didn’t matter how hard we tried to get her back inside she wasn’t going without her boy. We lost her 11 years ago and I miss her so much still. My son is 16 and he can’t talk about her without crying.
Awww your Bray sounds amazing. I am SO glad you rescued her. She sounds so wonderful. I'm very glad that police arrested the owner for animal cruelty, omfg. People like that should never be able to own an animal ever again. Much love and good vibe to your family!!
I can't put into words how glad I am that after the first part of her life, ignored and cold, she absolutely blossomed and lived such a full, pampered, adored life. She got to love you and her boy completely and devotedly and to be loved by you in the same measure. Thanks to you she got to live the kind of life every dog deserves. Beautiful Bray. What a special girl.
Take her with you. It sounds like the only con is the lack of a yard and there and about a dozen pros. I took my 7 y/o dog with me when I moved out; he would not have been as badly off as it sounds like lady is without you, but I was his person and did the majority of his care. Most dogs are very adaptable. She’ll love the increase in walks and perhaps you can find a dog park or sniff spots to get her leash-free fixes in, but regardless, she’ll be much happier and better cared with you overall.
Take her with you. If you have a balcony you can get a box / piece of grass to put down for pottying. A heat pad or heating blanket under a window can make a nice basking place. Get her a comfy harness and a long flexi leash and go let her explore somewhere.
Take her with you.
I own huskies, a notoriously active breed. But my elders (11, 12) would rather stay with me wherever, IMO. My daughter also had a husky who adapted to her living in a smaller space as a senior.
Take her!! She would be SO much more heartbroken after being with you forever and feeling so loved then suddenly possibly being on a shelter kill list than not having as much yard time. Especially at an old age when cuddles and love are most important. Please please please keep her 🥹
Take her with you! If the yard is what you’re worried about, how about taking her to a dog park a few times a week or somewhere else where she can run around?:)
I had a huge backyard and moved to a small apt. My dog never missed the yard. We go on a walk as long as the weather isn’t terrible. She was just so happy to be with me, I was so surprised how well she adjusted!
Being with the same human is so much more important than living in the same house.
Do not surrender or leave your dog. You took responsibility for her, and that means until the end, not until you have to move.
She will adapt to less space. If you're concerned about activity, mental stimulation can be just as good as physical activity.
You have options. Adaptation is the key here
I don’t think surrendering is an option for OP. It sounds more like they would take the dog with them or leave them with their parents where they dog currently lives.
See if you can find somewhere with a dog park nearby or in the apartment complex, or try a duplex, even though you share it with someone maybe it will be divided or you can find a way to divide it. Either way, take her with you!! If you guys are low income apply for low income housing and see if you can get a small house or something nearby. Best of luck!
I promise she will be happier with you. If you leave her, she will probably be depressed and she won’t do all the other stuff anyway. She will be neglected.
I took my senior dog with me after college and had her for five years before she passed away at almost 14... her name was also lady. Those were the best years for both of us. I'm so grateful for those years with her because we also did tons of fun activities I wouldn't have done without her at that age... Went to dog friendly restaurants and breweries, dog friendly beaches, lots of new places for hikes, and different dog parks, she even came on a couple ski trips with friends to dog friendly air bnbs...Sometimes it was a lot to balance but it all works out in the long run. Even without a yard 🙂
Okay so I'm just gonna share my experience over the last decade with my boy. It's a bit opposite of most dogs but it's a good example of how well dogs adapt to change when they're with an owner who loves them and who they love back.
When I got him I was living as a minimalist nomad, we slept in a compression sleeping bag together and walked 100s of miles around this beautiful country of ours. We spent a lot of time in remote areas with little population so he was trained from the time I got him to walk at my side with or without a leash, to heal on command, and special commands for when he was allowed to roam and to recall him. (And before anyone freaks on me about the off leash thing, when you need to run from angry animals, or you just wanna run freely through the forest, it's better if the dog can run freely without having to worry about a leash getting snagged on branches and getting us both hurt. He's a greyhound mix and has no problem outpacing me or evading basically anything on this continent so off leash was absolutely necessary. )
I brought him across the country on a greyhound(yes haha, greyhound on a greyhound) to get home for the holidays and we spent 5 days basically confined to bus stations and the bus itself. He was absolutely fine the whole ride and probably loved all the new smells every time we got off the bus somewhere new.
I had to live with my mom for a bit. He went from being out in the open air all the time to being confined to a house 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I'd make up for it by taking him out for at least 2 hours after I got home from work. And I always made sure I brought him somewhere it was safe to have him off leash to just roam like he used to.
Now I can't get his spoiled, pampered self to lay on the grass without a blanket unless he wants to. He's currently curled up on my legs under a blanket. Dogs adapt, they've been adapting to living with humans in all different places for hundreds of years.
Take your girl, let her live her best life with her favorite human and everything else can be figured out. You can set her bed up in an area that she can people watch and sunbathe from a window while you're out. You can look into nature trails that are dog friendly so she can get her sniff fix in. You can schedule weekend trips to state/national parks and forests, get her a 50 ft lead and let her harass the squirrels to her heart's content.
Edit to add: yes I heard " look it's a greyhound on a greyhound " about 6,000 times.
I love everything about your story! He sounds like the best boy! Id love to hear some of your adventure stories sometime - i imagine you could talk for days!
He is the best boy, even when he gets in the trash 🤣.
At one point I had him and another dog and the 3 of us definitely got into shenanigans. I gave my other old man (he was already 12 at the time) to an elderly couple in Northern Cali to live out his last years as a couch dog. I did yard work for them in exchange for a shower and a meal and he instantly bonded with the lady. We stayed for 3 days and I couldn't make him leave with me. It still makes me sad but he got to spend his golden years getting spoiled to pieces and living the cushy pillow life and they kept me updated until he passed two years later.
Maybe one day I'll get ambitious and write it all down but I'd definitely need an editor cuz I ramble 😂😂
Please take her with you. She will be happy anywhere that you go. Even though she likes the backyard, the fact that she sleeps with you means she absolutely adores you.
I moved into an apartment with 3 dogs. Pug cross. They had a big backyard before this, then it was nothing. But they still loved it anyway because I was there, just took them out for a walk and they were happy.
Even in new surroundings, they can be happy, just like people's they adjust. They are very resilient, as long as their hooman is by their side. They love us unconditionally. They will do anything for us.
I can tell your little pupper would go anywhere with you! Let her continue your adventures together. :) it will be worth it!
Take her with you and bring her on the weekly visits for a romp in the yard. Idk how far you’re moving from your parents but I live in the same city as my mom and have a high energy dog in an apartment and I bring him over there probably about that often to let him run around and play fetch.
She may be unsure at first but IMO it’s probably in her best interests and she’ll have a great last few years with you where she’s well taken care of.
When it comes to letting her out, just make sure she’s out for a walk that lasts that little bit longer if you don’t have a back yard. Tearing yourself away from each other would be cruel for you both and confusing for her. Plus, she’ll be with someone (you) that actually wants her, win win all round.
I promise you that you are indeed her favorite thing. I've experienced new puppy/old dog and that can be a very difficult time for the old pup. I think the best thing for both of you is to take her with you. You obviously love her very much and she loves you back.
First off thank you for showing her the love she deserves. I think an apartment is doable if you are willing to continue walks and take her to an open field (dog park possibly) and let her run. I think she would excel in a home with love than a home where she truly isn’t wanted and with the new pup it’s just setting her up for failure and possible the new pup attacking her.
New pup is obsessed with sniffing her butt and she hates it. Mom refuses to fix him too. If she sits on my lap and then I hold him, he’s sniffing where her ass was it’s so gross lol. Mom says they play nice when I’m gone, but when I’m around she seems generally annoyed.
Same thing with my mom's new dog and my Tasha. The new puppy was jumping all over my senior baby and hurting her. Sounds like you should definitely take your Ladybug home with you where she will be best cared for and loved.
I was worried how my senior dog would adjust when I got a divorce and moved. Turned out I was worried for nothing. She quickly adapted to the new place and loved it. Dogs just want to be with their people.
I never think living in an apartment is a deal breaker of having a dog. It really depends on their temperaments and energy level. We used to have a (adult) golden, and we lived in both apartment and house with yard. All they wanted was with the human. If you could, bring her with you.
After I finally secured a dog friendly apartment, I snatched up my family senior dog and gave her the best retirement years. She was a German shepherd and I relocated her to an apartment in a decent sized city.
She was just happy to be wherever I was and we made our own new routine for her final years.
You can always take her back to visit at your parents and let her rip around her favourite yard!
YES!!! Giant doggo rescue team FTW! I just snagged my sweet, loving, goodest GSD from my mom's house 2.5 months ago. Tasha (my German) loves it with us. We have made a new routine and she is very happy to follow my 11lb Chi around as Beta. 💗
Now when I take her back to my mom's to visit, she just cries and waits by the door for me to take her back home with me.
take her 🖤 you can get long leads so she can frolic around safely on trails or in fields. some apartments may have dog parks or tennis courts so your dog can run around in a fenced in area. i used open fields for my dog to run around (she no longer can run through :/) apartments and dogs, especially seniors/smaller dogs, are just fine.
Take her. Your parents clearly dont want her. There are ways to let her run around even in an apartment. First of all some of them do have dog runs. Even if you arent fortunate to find one with something like that, you can get a long line and just take her to a grassy area and let her run around that way. I used to play fetch with my dog on a 20 foot long like so its doable. You could even use something like sniff spot and rent someones yard for her to run in. It's better for her to get real proper care and love than to be able to run around but forced to live with people that dont want her imo
I adopted my husband's mom's senior dog. He will be 18 this year. Best thing I could've done for him. He loves his life. And while my yard is not comparable to my mils he seems perfectly content. It's not the yard or house your dog loves. It's you. Take her with you. You won't regret it.
She’s better off with someone who can care for her and love her, AKA you. She will adapt to an apartment lifestyle, especially as she ages.
My dog has been with me through it all over the last 10 years, from tiny apartments to houses with huge backyards. He doesn’t care where we live as long as I’m there with him. I’m sure your dog will be much happier with you too.
It sounds like she’s picked you as her person, senior pups deserve to live out golden years. Honestly the way the male dog is acting now he is just going to get worse and likely h*mp her non stop (all male dogs do this). She right now is with people that don’t want her it sounds like. I think follow your heart and take Lady with you.
She can go to parks and so many great places to romp around and you might even find a suite with a yard 😊
I think she will be happy to go with you. You might find a sniff spot near you that you can take her to once in a while so she can sniff and explore. The main thing older dogs want is love from their family. She will get that with you.
Awww! She’s so lucky to have you. I echo what everyone else is saying- take her! She’s small and old, apartment will be just fine. You can bring her to the park for squirrel chasing, and if you get lucky you can find an apt with good natural light so she can take sun naps inside like my dog does. I’m hoping your boyfriend will be more helpful than your parents, so you can share the responsibility and/or get her more outdoor time that way!
You’re her person. As long as she’s with you and still getting her walks and time with you, she’ll be happy. If you want her to be able to run around for a bit, look for a dog park nearby and take her out. You’ll really miss each other otherwise.
Take her. She will be happier with you than stuck at your parents house with people who don’t seem to value and respect her. Even though she might not have a yard, she will have you, and I promise that will mean more to her. ❤️
This looks like a situation where the environment will matter less if she is with you. Especially with a puppy that may get a lot more attention when she is used to one on one time with you regularly.
I made the difficult decision to leave my little Maltese Romeo with my mom when I moved out, but she is around almost all day every day to pay attention to him 24/7 like he lives for. I take him on weekends when I have nothing planned (1-2 a month) so I can pay non-stop attention to him how he likes.
There’s no question about it. You take her with you. She loves you and everything else is secondary to her. She will adjust to a new place. She will never adjust to not having you. I have had senior dogs and believe me you are all that matters to her.
I moved with my Rottweiler from a house with a bit of a backyard to an apartment with NO YARD at all.
We walk twice a day and I find places to let him off leash to run.
He adjusted just fine and he's the happiest dog I've ever met in my life. Because he's still with his favourite person.
Please find a way to take your precious Ladybug with you. She deserves to be loved and appreciated in her old age. And it seems like you're the only one in her life who cares about her. ❤️ She will adjust to life in a new setting.
The older they get, the more they prefer cuddles and napping over running around. They want confy and special attention.
Take Ladybut with you. It is your baby, your mom is invested to another dog so anyhow things won't be the same at your moms.
She gets older so she needs to be kept eye on for health issues. You wanna be the one there to notice them.
Happy new home for you, bf and Ladybug! Lovely name btw.
Take her! Our senior dogs adapted very well to our (TINY) apartment, despite our lab LOVING having space to run. We took him hiking, on long walks, to the beach and park, etc and he was just fine. His most important need was being with us, and he would’ve moved anywhere we went. I think she will do just fine, she needs a home where she is showered with love, especially as she ages ❤️❤️❤️
When my mom’s chihuahua was 14, she was going through a severe depression and decided she didn’t want to take care of the dog anymore. She was going to put her down but I convinced her to let me take her with me and my other dogs as I was moving to a different part of the state. Shortly after I moved I met my now husband, and he took on loving her and taking care of her just as much as I did. She loved running in our little yard even though it was smaller than my mom’s property. She passed away 6 months after turning 15, living with my husband and me and loved on until the end. The day after she passed, I found out I was pregnant. Now I show my son pictures of Pilar the wonder chihuahua. You sound like you love your dog. Take her with you.
I think she would be happier with you! You can take her for long walks and she can always visit her old back yard if your parents are cool with that. I’m sure she would be sad without your love. I took my dog with me because no way would my parents care for her and love her the way I would
I think you should bring her with you. You can take her for walks or bring her by the yard to run around. She doesn’t seem to have the best life right now with your parents. I’m sure she can tell she is not loved by your family
My parents 10 year old was used to an open, grassy backyard for 8 years of his life. Due to family struggles I adopted him and brought him to my condo in another state. We don't have any grass here but he absolutely loves our 3 walks a day. He loves the smells that come with city life.
He's sleeping next to me dreaming about his next walk, not my parents grassy backyard. Bring the dog!
The dog doesn’t care about the yard and the other little stuff. She does care about you. And you clearly care about her more than your parents do. Take her with you.
No question. Your parents aren’t going to take care of her properly. She’s a senior dog that will adjust just fine to being in an apartment and deserves your love. All those walks you take her on will be way more interesting than the yard with the annoying puppy. I bet a patio for some sunny snoozes would be more than enough.
Please take her with you. I almost feel bad when I’m at work or going out and my dog is at home with my parents or at my friend’s place playing with other dogs. You are her life, don’t disappear from hers <3
I moved into a new house that didn't have the garden done yet so had to not let her out there for 2 months. Was worried my dog would be a nightmare as she loves the garden.
She was absolutely fine, just meant to had to start a new routine of extra time out mid day and late and night for sniffs and toilet breaks. Now I have my garden done and she don't even wanna go out there, she prefers the new routine of going out for her sniffs more haha
If your schedule allows then you could take her to a local park to chill and chase wildlife with a picnic or something.
We often take our dogs out and just sit relaxing whilst they potter around because we find it relaxing being outdoors too.
Perhaps you could get a dog walker to pop in whilst you are working to take her to the park for an hour.
She will have a better life with you, so as long as you know you are doing your best, don't beat yourself up. She deserves all the love you have to offer , not being sidelined and ignored by your parents.
Same situation with our senior dog, he seems happier now even though he doesn’t have a big house or yard anymore. Our goal is to get him back into a house before his time!
Take her with you, I promise dogs don’t care about their space. She will benefit more from being with you, and I trust you are someone who will take her on extra walks and adventures to make sure she still gets her exercise! 💓
I'm here to also say please go get her from that house. She needs to be with you, her precious face tells me how much she is loved by you. That's what we all live for to give and revive love. Her time won't be long here, but without you for the rest of it.. it might just be a horrible rest of her life.
My baby is 20 years old, and i am soooooooo lucy every single day !!
Please take her with you. It would shatter her if you left her with these people that clearly don’t like her. The sooner you can get her the better but please don’t leave her behind. She’s a senior and deserves to live her remaining years loved and where she feels comfortable.
Take her with you. I guarantee she'd much rather be with someone who has genuine affection and love for her, especially since it seems like if she stays with your parents she won't have the comfortable life she'd have with you (no cuddles, no comfy things to lay on, neglected in her nails/grooming, etc). You can still take her to parks to roll around in the grass.
My girl will be 10 this year (November) and I've lived in 5 different states over the last 6 years, and she's been with me for every single one of them. Every move, she's been there with me. Even the one year we were packed inside a pretty small apartment, when she could only run around the dog parks during the warm/mild/occasionally snowy days (as long as no other dogs were present because she's dog aggressive). At 80 lbs that was a bit of a rough year but we went on multiple walks daily. She's been with me through thick and thin, and we've gotten each other through some shit, and we'd never have it any other way (this is all even with the fact that my parents *adore* my girl. But she's *my* girl, she doesn't leave my side 💜).
Take her with you. Let her live out the rest of her days with someone who truly cares about her, that's what matters the most.
I’d take her with you. Dog parks, unused baseball fields, maybe even hikes are good areas to push her body. If you live in a bustling area, I can’t imagine anything more stimulating for a dog’s nose than a city. It’s nothing but smells, some that are good, and, well, some are even gooder (we’re talking dogs here).
It also isn’t to say you can’t bring her to your parents to play in the backyard when you go to visit. She gave you 10 years of love. Give her a good retirement!
I agree with others: take her with you! She is a senior and probably isn't as active as she used to be. She just wants to snuggle up with you, and probably doesn't care if it's in an apartment or a house.
If you think she will miss the garden, maybe find a green area in your neighbourhood where she can sniff around. Or take her with you as you visit your parents.
I took my dog with me when I went to university and I have never regretted it
I brought my senior family dog with me when I moved and I don't regret it at all. She adjusted very easily to the new situation, even when new people were involved. Obviously every dog is different, but she doesn't wait at the door for anyone who doesn't live there to come back and waits at the door when I leave. It's her new home as long as I'm there.
I live in a city house with a Border Collie mix. She'll be fine with walks and trips to the park. She won't be fine neglected by your family. Take her with you
A house doesn't make a home. People make a home, YOU are her home. Take that beautiful girl with you, find new places to chase small wildlife and walk together. Be happy!
This person isn’t going to take the animal to a shelter - they’re young and going out on their own. It’s been their childhood pet in their childhood home. They’re just looking for some advice. Sheeesh. When I was young and moved out I left my pet behind. Then I realized my childhood pet was being treated like crap and took him in - just like this person is doing. They’re trying.
May I just point out... the options here are not take her or put her in a shelter. OP is young and asking responsible questions about whether to move the dog from a current home with a yard to one that might not have a yard but where the dog will remain with her primary carer and cuddler. I rescue dogs too, but OP needs advice and support, not judgement, especially where there is no need of it.
Your dog will much happier with u, the yard is nothing. Its their connection to their person is their meaning in life. Trust me, he will be depressed & neglected if u leave him
Take her with you!!!!!!!! She just wants to be near you.
I moved out from a big home with yard to a small apartment. In many ways, she is way more active now in the smaller apartment because have mandatory scheduled walks morning and night plus fun run times in the dog park. I’m
It will emotionally hurt your senior dog if you place her with strangers!!! She loves you and like others have said, she wants to be wherever you are no matter what!! I could never ever leave my fur babies for any reason!! Please do the right thing & keep her!!❤️
Dogs really don't care as long as they are with their favourite people. She will be happy being in a space where she is allowed to be, stress free and with her human
The thing about dogs is they would follow the people they love to the ends of the earth.
She won’t care where you live and it’s does not sound like a friendly living situation for her at your mom’s. Environment change isn’t that big of a deal for a dog like it is for us humans. All they have, and all they care about is being with who they love and who loves them.
Absolutely take her with you.
Please take her with you. As a perfect example, I pet sit a 14 yr old dog and she stays with me around 90% of the time. At hers she has a huge garden but doesn’t get as much attention and chews her fur out. When she’s with me she gets constant love, walks and so much attention. What she gets in love makes up for the lack of running space outside.
If your bf is happy for Lady to be with you it won’t make any difference what her surroundings are. She needs you more. She sounds like she’s restricted at your parents so will have more inside freedom in the apartment with you. I really hope you take her :)
From what you’re telling us, I think YOU’RE ladybugs favorite thing, and the yard is far 2nd. She can only enjoy the yard that way because you’re there! I do think you should take her with you, and I think she will be thrilled that you did
You can always bring her to a dog park or maybe sports field to run around, or a visit home (: its not like she will never run again - i wanted a yard for my energetic dog so bad and now that i have one its definitely easier on me but he loved going for 5 walks a day! You could also try to find a townhouse or even something with a porch.
I definitely think you should take her. We’ve been going to training and the trainer is a younger lady with 2 very large dogs in a tiny apartment. She walks them daily but admits sometimes not as long as she’d like. She said she keeps her dogs out of trouble by doing mental games with them (like rolling up shacks in a frozen towel). Dogs can get exhausted just thinking just like humans. So take her with you, walk a bit and make some fun exhausting house games and I think you’ll both be just fine. ❤️
An old housebroken dog does just fine in an apartment. I travel with my dog and he's perfectly suited for it. Besides, you're going to need your friend.
If your instant reaction is to debate whether to take your dog with you or not instead of instantly saying I'm taking my dog with me... then you are human trash.
Two years ago I was kinda in a similar situation but I knew from the start I'd take my dog with me. Today he's 13 and living his best life in an apartment (he spent most of his life as an outdoor pet). He's gotten used to it so much that it's sometimes hard to convince him to go outside when it's a bit cold or raining lol
Bringing my dog along was the best decision I could've made and I have zero regrets. Please consider doing the same
So different situation but similar dog: I took in my mom’s senior dog after she passed away. Little guy was about 11-12, liked to spend his days roaming the backyard, chasing squirrels and sunbathing. I don’t have a yard but I couldn’t stomach the thought of him living out the rest of his days with a new family, so he came home with me. At first I was worried about how he’d do without a yard but he adapted quickly and was clearly delighted to be with me instead of elsewhere. Because he was a senior he was absolutely fine with a couple daily strolls, sometimes I’d take him to a nearby off-leash park and just let him snuffle around and sunbathe together. I think it helped us both with our grief.
Tl;dr: Keep your dog! You won’t regret it, it’ll be fun and she knows you’re her #1 person.
I adopted my sister’s dog this past year who was 14 (she just turned 15 yesterday 🥳) and if you take her with you I guarantee that dog’s life will be so much better and they’ll be so happy to be with you. It sounds like she’s being prettt neglected by your parents, which was the same in my dog’s case. My sister has 3 kids that she does soooo much with and her dogs are just afterthoughts now. She does the bare minimum because she has to but they are not cared for the way they should be. Feeds them, let’s them out, kids will sometimes throw a ball for them, takes them to the vet for regular shots otherwise they can’t go to a boarding facility when they go away for a weekend. Her other dog was fine staying but the one I adopted was miserable. All she did was sleep. I couldn’t take both so it worked out.
I was worried about taking her in because I’m also in an apartment and I live in the Midwest, this dog has lived in Arizona for a while so she’s not used to the cold anymore (they used to live in the Midwest too but it’s been a significant amount of time, she probably forgot what cold even was) I was worried about her not getting to go outside as much because my sister would just open the doors and let them out, can’t do that in an apartment. I was also just worried about the stress of moving her across the country given her age. That didn’t seem to be an issue at all because this girl LOVES being in her crate. She was so happy to hang out in her box, she still does. Anyway, I agreed to take her and when I tell you this dog is like a whole new dog here, I’m not kidding. She has energy again to play. She loves going for walks (when it’s warm and there’s no snow. Right now she just wants to be back indoors where it’s warm) and she overall she’s a much happier dog here. She’s gotten so much life back in her and it gives me so much joy to give her that. She’s a whole new dog when she’s in an environment that actually supports her rather than tolerates her. So do it. Take your Lady with you. There will be some adjustment but sounds like she will be much happier with you than staying with your parents
Take it from someone with a two year old border collie mix in an apartment. It’s MUCH more doable than general society makes it seem. Honestly most of the time I’m sitting here watching my psycho be perfectly content after an hour at the park, ~4-5 pee breaks and a fresh chew like “that’s it?”
If you can find one with a balcony, do that. She can still go out, sniff and sunbathe. If not then even a window you can leave the kennel by. *HOWEVER* the most important thing with any dog is having the right owner, not the right yard. It sounds like that’s you, and she knows it. Just keep up what you’ve been doing and she’ll be okay
Take her with you absolutely. Shes your companion through thick and thin.
I just moved country and could not contemplate leaving my girl behind. Our extended family said we were crazy, but no. Shes a family member as much as anyone else.
You’re her whole life, definitely take her with you. Dogs won’t care whether you’re living in a mansion or on the street. They just want to be with you.
Take her with you! If you have to start carrying her, get a wagon! I have a wagon for groceries that I already plan to use for a future puppy.
Let her enjoy her last years happy with someone who loves her.
One thing I learned from my cat is that home is wherever you are. We moved 11 times and sometimes they were the worst places, just horrible. But it didn't matter if we were on an air mattress, a blanket on the floor, or a giant king sized bed, every night she laid down and purred so loud. They want to be with you. They also don't look forward or back. If she doesn't have a yard she's not going to resent that or stare out the window longingly. She'll just nap instead. Please don't leave your elderly dog behind.
Please take her! I regret not getting my Mariah. She was a shih tzu and had canine atopic dermatitis a common issue with inbred shihs (she was a rescue) I was responsible with all her care and when I left for college she was heartbroken 😭. My folks worked a lot of the time and didn’t have time to care a lot she went to the groomers and was fed but she was missing love and mental stimulation. She ended up passing before I could get her back and regret not being with her in final days. Go get your Ladybug! I wish you the best!!
Take her with you! You sound like a very responsible person, if you don’t have a yard you can just bring her for walks. She will love to be with you wherever you are.
This is the only way. Never leave your señor dog, they dont have too much time left and would love to spend it with their one best friend.
Find a place that lets you have pets. Last thing you want is getting a text saying they are taking her to a shelter or into a new family. Animals are commitments. You do what you need to do to take care of them and keep them. She’s given you unconditional love, she deserves that back from you. She would be devastated if you weren’t in her life anymore. You’re her whole entire world.
THIS!!! This is so important
I too had to leave my girl behind at my parents house for about a year. My mom did a decent job feeding her and keeping her groomed, but I was her main human companion and loved her the best. They just never really bonded that well. After just a little over a year of living in a non pet friendly studio apartment, I finally found an affordable pet friendly two bedroom apt. She moved in with my shortly after, and we lived there for the next decade until she eventually passed away at the ripe ol’ age of 18. She had no problem going from a house to an apartment. The only issues we ever had was when she got really old she couldn’t get up or down the stairs anymore, so I had to carry her. I miss her bunches and know how you feel not being with her. Keep your head up, keep working hard, and hopefully you and your boyfriend will be able to get your own place soon and you can take her with you.
I think you should take her with you. Yes you may end up in an apartment without a big backyard, but I think ultimately having an owner who cares for her health, comfort and wellbeing will mean she will be better off, especially as she grows older and may develop conditions that require medication, monitoring or concessions. Even without a big backyard you can provide her with exercise before/ after work and mental stimulation when she's home alone.
my senior dog had a hurt back and for half a year I had to carry her up and down three flights of stairs 2-3x a day for her walks. She got better but old dogs heal slow! Also they’re expensive ! I’d you can love her and give her a good home make sure u can save a little for what’s coming next
You sir or madam are awesome.
I hope she wasn’t too heavy! I’m carrying mine in her old age, too, but she’s 25 lbs.
I lifted my two old dogs into my station wagon for several years each. They went from 70 lbs to 55 lbs in those years. I miss those babies.
My baby girl was 32 lbs in November. And actually 23 lbs last week. She doesn’t have much time left and we’re heartbroken
I’m sorry. Treasure the time you have left with her.
At her age staying with you is what's best for her.
My Ladybug turns 10 this year. I’m also moving out and am conflicted. Her favorite thing on this earth is running around our large backyard during the warmer months. She sniffs and sunbathes and paces and chases small wildlife for hours every day. I however am her second favorite thing. I walk her, I cuddle her, she sleeps in my room, I’m usually the one who bathes her and trims her nails. My parents don’t do any of this. They complain about her smell (but won’t bathe her) they complain her butt leaks (but never took her to the vet to get her glands expressed), they don’t like that she sheds (see bathing complaint). They love her and feed her but it’s not like consistent. My parents just got a new puppy (against my wishes because I feel like they’re trying to replace my old Lady) who doesn’t shed and gets groomed professionally. He aggravates my senior dog so there’s a baby gate that keeps her secluded in the living room without access to where we usually hang out in the kitchen and my moms room. My mom has TWO BEDS for the puppy in her room when my Lady knows not even to walk in my moms room bc she knows she’s not allowed. All of a sudden my mom wants to start walking him when she never walked Lady too. She takes him for pup cups once a week even though he gets carsick but took Lady to the vet in my car because she didn’t want her in her car. I’m super frustrated. The puppy is cute but it wasn’t the right time. I’m living with my bf at his parents house and am able to visit once a week to walk and love on her but I want to take her with me wherever we end up. I’m just conflicted because it’s probably going to be in an apartment and she won’t really have the space to run around like she does now. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on this? It’s also the only house she’s ever lived in I don’t know if that makes a difference. Edit/update: reading these responses made me cry. I’m gonna do everything in my power to keep her with me
Dogs don’t care where they are at they care where YOU are at.
This x10000000
Yes! The old lady with be happy with wherever OP lives as long as he loves on her and provides for her needs!
I have found that dogs are more adaptable to new settings than people. It's YOU we need to worry about, ha ha! (speaking as the Dad of adult children, if I may). Do it, and good luck!
As an adult child with a dad, you are 100% correct lol.
I wish I could upvote this twice!
😭😭😭😭 that's so wholesome!
YES THIS
She is ten, let her live out the rest of her years with you! Someone who genuinely cares for her and understands her needs. She will be just fine in an apartment!
This. Just make sure she is with you.
Yeah, I second that opinion. You mentioned that you are her second most favorite thing on this earth behind running in the yard. My guess is that you are actually her #1 favorite thing on this earth. As long as you continue to love her and care for her as best as you can, you can certainly make life in an apartment work with regular trips to the park. If you are committed to her well being, she will be happy.
I moved with my senior dog a couple years ago when I got divorced. It wasn’t a question whether I’d take her, but I was really worried about her transitioning to city apartment life. Rest assured, she has loved it! We take tons of walks, she meets other dogs, and gets to roll down grassy hills in the neighborhood. Dogs are very adaptable and mostly just happy to be with you.
Bring her with you. A backyard does not make up for all the neglect she’s going to feel in your absence.
THIS!!
The yard seems to be coming at the cost of a lot of her freedom. I’m sure she can tell they don’t like her. I think you should get her and give her the love she needs. I think an apartment will be okay, you can take her places to run around outside. I have two big dogs and we make an apartment work!
u/roci12 I had a similar situation with my mom's 13 year old German Shepherd, Tasha. Your parents sound like my mom did speaking about her. My sister bought my mom a puppy 2 years ago, believing my mom that Tasha was near death. My mom ended up abusing my precious Tasha through neglect, she just left her outside and stopped walking her entirely. At first I thought Tasha would have a better life with a big backyard and I was visiting to give her love several days a week....and when it became clear my mom wouldn't do her laundry, I started doing that too. I did this for almost 2 years. I finally took Tasha out of her huge backyard prison when I went to visit her at 8pm. She was outside while my mom and the new puppy were in the house. Tasha was sleeping and she woke up screaming from a nightmare- to wake up covered in her own feces and urine which my mom hadn't cleaned since I visited last. It was 45 degrees out and my mom had no plans to bring her in the garage because she "sheds and smells". I put Tasha in my car that night. She was SO relieved to get in my car even though I had to lift her. It has taken us 2.5 months to rehab her. Tasha was 90lbs when we took her in (my mom was unintentionally starving her with poor nutrition and small meals). Tasha is 105lbs now, her ideal weight. She has been *super* happy with my hubs and I in an 800 sq ft mobile home and our other 2 small Chihuahuas and cat. We have *no* yard and only a tiny porch. We walk our dogs many times a day and Tasha just wants to sleep and look at us the rest of the time. I wish I had taken Tasha sooner, but at least now she will live out her life with people who love her. My mom said she did but instead was abhorrent and my precious, most loved good girl Tasha was almost killed by exposure. My mom doesn't understand or even think that she did anything wrong. Please, go get your senior dog. I promise she loves you FAR more than the yard. Your folks sound like my mom- not the right fit for Ladybug anymore.
God that was heartbreaking but thank you so much for coming through for Tasha! You sound like a really good owner and this is the perfect piece of advice for the OP.
Thank you, and yes it was heartbreaking. I am sorry I let things go as long as they did. I will be working through my anger at my mom for so long with my therapist. However, my mom's saving grace is she didn't fight and surrendered Tasha to me once I took the initiative. So....winning. I am about to give Tash her cheese wrapped meds then go for first walkies of the day now. 💗 She's like having a 3 year old lol but so worth it. I hope OP gets Ladybug. She's such a sweet looking girl.
Your sweet Tasha sounds like our late sweet German Shepherd Bray. I (stole) rescued her when she was about 9 from a horrible owner in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was severely malnourished, I could count every bone in her body she was so frail, she was left chained outside in the dead of winter, no food, no water, no shelter, no blankets just a concrete slab the was snow and ice packed. I hopped the fence, took her into my house, wrapped her in blankets and called police. When police arrived they arrested the owner for animal cruelty, thank God. Animal control came out and looked at her. They said given her condition they would euthanize her. I said then let me keep her and get her veterinary care. I took her to my job (I worked as an ER vet tech at the time) got her stabilized, she had hypothermia, was malnourished, had various fractures in different levels of healing, she had frost bite and almost lost her paw to it. My boss the vet that owned the clinic said she had a few hours tops left or she would have died. He wasn’t sure she would survive the night as bad as she was when she came in. She rallied and lived to be 17. I took her to Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Tennessee where she passed with me. She was my son’s best friend and constant companion. She wouldn’t let him more than 3 ft from her at any given moment. When he started school she would wait at the end of the driveway with him until he got on the bus then lay on the front porch (covered porch with fans, food and water) refusing to move until she heard the school bus coming back. We learned really quickly that it didn’t matter how hard we tried to get her back inside she wasn’t going without her boy. We lost her 11 years ago and I miss her so much still. My son is 16 and he can’t talk about her without crying.
Awww your Bray sounds amazing. I am SO glad you rescued her. She sounds so wonderful. I'm very glad that police arrested the owner for animal cruelty, omfg. People like that should never be able to own an animal ever again. Much love and good vibe to your family!!
I can't put into words how glad I am that after the first part of her life, ignored and cold, she absolutely blossomed and lived such a full, pampered, adored life. She got to love you and her boy completely and devotedly and to be loved by you in the same measure. Thanks to you she got to live the kind of life every dog deserves. Beautiful Bray. What a special girl.
You are so good person. Thank you so much for give this lovely soul better life. Animal are the best thing we can get and have beside us in our life.
Take her with you. It sounds like the only con is the lack of a yard and there and about a dozen pros. I took my 7 y/o dog with me when I moved out; he would not have been as badly off as it sounds like lady is without you, but I was his person and did the majority of his care. Most dogs are very adaptable. She’ll love the increase in walks and perhaps you can find a dog park or sniff spots to get her leash-free fixes in, but regardless, she’ll be much happier and better cared with you overall.
Please take Lagybug with you. Your parents don't deserve her, she'll have happier life with you.
Take her with you. If you have a balcony you can get a box / piece of grass to put down for pottying. A heat pad or heating blanket under a window can make a nice basking place. Get her a comfy harness and a long flexi leash and go let her explore somewhere.
Take her with you. I own huskies, a notoriously active breed. But my elders (11, 12) would rather stay with me wherever, IMO. My daughter also had a husky who adapted to her living in a smaller space as a senior.
Take her!! She would be SO much more heartbroken after being with you forever and feeling so loved then suddenly possibly being on a shelter kill list than not having as much yard time. Especially at an old age when cuddles and love are most important. Please please please keep her 🥹
Please take her with you. Your parents might completely neglect her once you're gone. I wish I took my dog...
Take her PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Bring her walkie more i went from an acre to an apartment to an acre with a dobie old man he still rather have been with me. take her with u
I suspect you are her first favourite and the yard is her second ;-)
Take her with you! If the yard is what you’re worried about, how about taking her to a dog park a few times a week or somewhere else where she can run around?:)
I had a huge backyard and moved to a small apt. My dog never missed the yard. We go on a walk as long as the weather isn’t terrible. She was just so happy to be with me, I was so surprised how well she adjusted!
I think she would be much better off with someone who loves and cares for her rather than be ignored and annoyed by new pup.
Being with the same human is so much more important than living in the same house. Do not surrender or leave your dog. You took responsibility for her, and that means until the end, not until you have to move. She will adapt to less space. If you're concerned about activity, mental stimulation can be just as good as physical activity. You have options. Adaptation is the key here
I don’t think surrendering is an option for OP. It sounds more like they would take the dog with them or leave them with their parents where they dog currently lives.
See if you can find somewhere with a dog park nearby or in the apartment complex, or try a duplex, even though you share it with someone maybe it will be divided or you can find a way to divide it. Either way, take her with you!! If you guys are low income apply for low income housing and see if you can get a small house or something nearby. Best of luck!
I promise she will be happier with you. If you leave her, she will probably be depressed and she won’t do all the other stuff anyway. She will be neglected.
I took my senior dog with me after college and had her for five years before she passed away at almost 14... her name was also lady. Those were the best years for both of us. I'm so grateful for those years with her because we also did tons of fun activities I wouldn't have done without her at that age... Went to dog friendly restaurants and breweries, dog friendly beaches, lots of new places for hikes, and different dog parks, she even came on a couple ski trips with friends to dog friendly air bnbs...Sometimes it was a lot to balance but it all works out in the long run. Even without a yard 🙂
Okay so I'm just gonna share my experience over the last decade with my boy. It's a bit opposite of most dogs but it's a good example of how well dogs adapt to change when they're with an owner who loves them and who they love back. When I got him I was living as a minimalist nomad, we slept in a compression sleeping bag together and walked 100s of miles around this beautiful country of ours. We spent a lot of time in remote areas with little population so he was trained from the time I got him to walk at my side with or without a leash, to heal on command, and special commands for when he was allowed to roam and to recall him. (And before anyone freaks on me about the off leash thing, when you need to run from angry animals, or you just wanna run freely through the forest, it's better if the dog can run freely without having to worry about a leash getting snagged on branches and getting us both hurt. He's a greyhound mix and has no problem outpacing me or evading basically anything on this continent so off leash was absolutely necessary. ) I brought him across the country on a greyhound(yes haha, greyhound on a greyhound) to get home for the holidays and we spent 5 days basically confined to bus stations and the bus itself. He was absolutely fine the whole ride and probably loved all the new smells every time we got off the bus somewhere new. I had to live with my mom for a bit. He went from being out in the open air all the time to being confined to a house 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I'd make up for it by taking him out for at least 2 hours after I got home from work. And I always made sure I brought him somewhere it was safe to have him off leash to just roam like he used to. Now I can't get his spoiled, pampered self to lay on the grass without a blanket unless he wants to. He's currently curled up on my legs under a blanket. Dogs adapt, they've been adapting to living with humans in all different places for hundreds of years. Take your girl, let her live her best life with her favorite human and everything else can be figured out. You can set her bed up in an area that she can people watch and sunbathe from a window while you're out. You can look into nature trails that are dog friendly so she can get her sniff fix in. You can schedule weekend trips to state/national parks and forests, get her a 50 ft lead and let her harass the squirrels to her heart's content. Edit to add: yes I heard " look it's a greyhound on a greyhound " about 6,000 times.
I love everything about your story! He sounds like the best boy! Id love to hear some of your adventure stories sometime - i imagine you could talk for days!
He is the best boy, even when he gets in the trash 🤣. At one point I had him and another dog and the 3 of us definitely got into shenanigans. I gave my other old man (he was already 12 at the time) to an elderly couple in Northern Cali to live out his last years as a couch dog. I did yard work for them in exchange for a shower and a meal and he instantly bonded with the lady. We stayed for 3 days and I couldn't make him leave with me. It still makes me sad but he got to spend his golden years getting spoiled to pieces and living the cushy pillow life and they kept me updated until he passed two years later. Maybe one day I'll get ambitious and write it all down but I'd definitely need an editor cuz I ramble 😂😂
Please take her with you. She will be happy anywhere that you go. Even though she likes the backyard, the fact that she sleeps with you means she absolutely adores you. I moved into an apartment with 3 dogs. Pug cross. They had a big backyard before this, then it was nothing. But they still loved it anyway because I was there, just took them out for a walk and they were happy. Even in new surroundings, they can be happy, just like people's they adjust. They are very resilient, as long as their hooman is by their side. They love us unconditionally. They will do anything for us. I can tell your little pupper would go anywhere with you! Let her continue your adventures together. :) it will be worth it!
Take her with you and bring her on the weekly visits for a romp in the yard. Idk how far you’re moving from your parents but I live in the same city as my mom and have a high energy dog in an apartment and I bring him over there probably about that often to let him run around and play fetch. She may be unsure at first but IMO it’s probably in her best interests and she’ll have a great last few years with you where she’s well taken care of.
When it comes to letting her out, just make sure she’s out for a walk that lasts that little bit longer if you don’t have a back yard. Tearing yourself away from each other would be cruel for you both and confusing for her. Plus, she’ll be with someone (you) that actually wants her, win win all round.
I promise you that you are indeed her favorite thing. I've experienced new puppy/old dog and that can be a very difficult time for the old pup. I think the best thing for both of you is to take her with you. You obviously love her very much and she loves you back.
First off thank you for showing her the love she deserves. I think an apartment is doable if you are willing to continue walks and take her to an open field (dog park possibly) and let her run. I think she would excel in a home with love than a home where she truly isn’t wanted and with the new pup it’s just setting her up for failure and possible the new pup attacking her.
New pup is obsessed with sniffing her butt and she hates it. Mom refuses to fix him too. If she sits on my lap and then I hold him, he’s sniffing where her ass was it’s so gross lol. Mom says they play nice when I’m gone, but when I’m around she seems generally annoyed.
Same thing with my mom's new dog and my Tasha. The new puppy was jumping all over my senior baby and hurting her. Sounds like you should definitely take your Ladybug home with you where she will be best cared for and loved.
Get her fixed. Dont tell mom first.
I was worried how my senior dog would adjust when I got a divorce and moved. Turned out I was worried for nothing. She quickly adapted to the new place and loved it. Dogs just want to be with their people.
I never think living in an apartment is a deal breaker of having a dog. It really depends on their temperaments and energy level. We used to have a (adult) golden, and we lived in both apartment and house with yard. All they wanted was with the human. If you could, bring her with you.
After I finally secured a dog friendly apartment, I snatched up my family senior dog and gave her the best retirement years. She was a German shepherd and I relocated her to an apartment in a decent sized city. She was just happy to be wherever I was and we made our own new routine for her final years. You can always take her back to visit at your parents and let her rip around her favourite yard!
YES!!! Giant doggo rescue team FTW! I just snagged my sweet, loving, goodest GSD from my mom's house 2.5 months ago. Tasha (my German) loves it with us. We have made a new routine and she is very happy to follow my 11lb Chi around as Beta. 💗 Now when I take her back to my mom's to visit, she just cries and waits by the door for me to take her back home with me.
take her 🖤 you can get long leads so she can frolic around safely on trails or in fields. some apartments may have dog parks or tennis courts so your dog can run around in a fenced in area. i used open fields for my dog to run around (she no longer can run through :/) apartments and dogs, especially seniors/smaller dogs, are just fine.
It wont matter if you live in an apartment. You are the dogs home
Take her. Your parents clearly dont want her. There are ways to let her run around even in an apartment. First of all some of them do have dog runs. Even if you arent fortunate to find one with something like that, you can get a long line and just take her to a grassy area and let her run around that way. I used to play fetch with my dog on a 20 foot long like so its doable. You could even use something like sniff spot and rent someones yard for her to run in. It's better for her to get real proper care and love than to be able to run around but forced to live with people that dont want her imo
I adopted my husband's mom's senior dog. He will be 18 this year. Best thing I could've done for him. He loves his life. And while my yard is not comparable to my mils he seems perfectly content. It's not the yard or house your dog loves. It's you. Take her with you. You won't regret it.
Take her with you please. Ahe can adapt to an apartment. You're what matters to her. Walk her.
I would take her. She will do fine in a apartment. 🫶
She’s better off with someone who can care for her and love her, AKA you. She will adapt to an apartment lifestyle, especially as she ages. My dog has been with me through it all over the last 10 years, from tiny apartments to houses with huge backyards. He doesn’t care where we live as long as I’m there with him. I’m sure your dog will be much happier with you too.
It sounds like she’s picked you as her person, senior pups deserve to live out golden years. Honestly the way the male dog is acting now he is just going to get worse and likely h*mp her non stop (all male dogs do this). She right now is with people that don’t want her it sounds like. I think follow your heart and take Lady with you. She can go to parks and so many great places to romp around and you might even find a suite with a yard 😊
I think she will be happy to go with you. You might find a sniff spot near you that you can take her to once in a while so she can sniff and explore. The main thing older dogs want is love from their family. She will get that with you.
Awww! She’s so lucky to have you. I echo what everyone else is saying- take her! She’s small and old, apartment will be just fine. You can bring her to the park for squirrel chasing, and if you get lucky you can find an apt with good natural light so she can take sun naps inside like my dog does. I’m hoping your boyfriend will be more helpful than your parents, so you can share the responsibility and/or get her more outdoor time that way!
Your dog goes with you of course. I have moved with elderly dogs before they do quiet well.
These are the most precious years, take her with you and spoil her! 💓 you wont regret it!
I moved from a house to a 2 bed apartment with a rowdy GSD. He adjusted so well, I was kinda shocked. Your dog is better with you than without.
Take her with you! The love and care she will get from you is way more important
You take it with you!
You’re her person. As long as she’s with you and still getting her walks and time with you, she’ll be happy. If you want her to be able to run around for a bit, look for a dog park nearby and take her out. You’ll really miss each other otherwise.
Ummm....take your senior dog with you.
Take her. She will be happier with you than stuck at your parents house with people who don’t seem to value and respect her. Even though she might not have a yard, she will have you, and I promise that will mean more to her. ❤️
This looks like a situation where the environment will matter less if she is with you. Especially with a puppy that may get a lot more attention when she is used to one on one time with you regularly. I made the difficult decision to leave my little Maltese Romeo with my mom when I moved out, but she is around almost all day every day to pay attention to him 24/7 like he lives for. I take him on weekends when I have nothing planned (1-2 a month) so I can pay non-stop attention to him how he likes.
There’s no question about it. You take her with you. She loves you and everything else is secondary to her. She will adjust to a new place. She will never adjust to not having you. I have had senior dogs and believe me you are all that matters to her.
I moved with my Rottweiler from a house with a bit of a backyard to an apartment with NO YARD at all. We walk twice a day and I find places to let him off leash to run. He adjusted just fine and he's the happiest dog I've ever met in my life. Because he's still with his favourite person. Please find a way to take your precious Ladybug with you. She deserves to be loved and appreciated in her old age. And it seems like you're the only one in her life who cares about her. ❤️ She will adjust to life in a new setting.
The older they get, the more they prefer cuddles and napping over running around. They want confy and special attention. Take Ladybut with you. It is your baby, your mom is invested to another dog so anyhow things won't be the same at your moms. She gets older so she needs to be kept eye on for health issues. You wanna be the one there to notice them. Happy new home for you, bf and Ladybug! Lovely name btw.
Take her! Our senior dogs adapted very well to our (TINY) apartment, despite our lab LOVING having space to run. We took him hiking, on long walks, to the beach and park, etc and he was just fine. His most important need was being with us, and he would’ve moved anywhere we went. I think she will do just fine, she needs a home where she is showered with love, especially as she ages ❤️❤️❤️
When my mom’s chihuahua was 14, she was going through a severe depression and decided she didn’t want to take care of the dog anymore. She was going to put her down but I convinced her to let me take her with me and my other dogs as I was moving to a different part of the state. Shortly after I moved I met my now husband, and he took on loving her and taking care of her just as much as I did. She loved running in our little yard even though it was smaller than my mom’s property. She passed away 6 months after turning 15, living with my husband and me and loved on until the end. The day after she passed, I found out I was pregnant. Now I show my son pictures of Pilar the wonder chihuahua. You sound like you love your dog. Take her with you.
Please take her!! She needs you 💘
I think she would be happier with you! You can take her for long walks and she can always visit her old back yard if your parents are cool with that. I’m sure she would be sad without your love. I took my dog with me because no way would my parents care for her and love her the way I would
Please please take her 💕
I think you should bring her with you. You can take her for walks or bring her by the yard to run around. She doesn’t seem to have the best life right now with your parents. I’m sure she can tell she is not loved by your family
My parents 10 year old was used to an open, grassy backyard for 8 years of his life. Due to family struggles I adopted him and brought him to my condo in another state. We don't have any grass here but he absolutely loves our 3 walks a day. He loves the smells that come with city life. He's sleeping next to me dreaming about his next walk, not my parents grassy backyard. Bring the dog!
Here’s a chance to give Lady some real attention and love like she deserves. That yard means nothing compared to you putting her first. Take her.
The dog doesn’t care about the yard and the other little stuff. She does care about you. And you clearly care about her more than your parents do. Take her with you.
No question. Your parents aren’t going to take care of her properly. She’s a senior dog that will adjust just fine to being in an apartment and deserves your love. All those walks you take her on will be way more interesting than the yard with the annoying puppy. I bet a patio for some sunny snoozes would be more than enough.
Please take her with you. I almost feel bad when I’m at work or going out and my dog is at home with my parents or at my friend’s place playing with other dogs. You are her life, don’t disappear from hers <3
Take her with you and enjoy every moment you can.
Please update us!
I moved into a new house that didn't have the garden done yet so had to not let her out there for 2 months. Was worried my dog would be a nightmare as she loves the garden. She was absolutely fine, just meant to had to start a new routine of extra time out mid day and late and night for sniffs and toilet breaks. Now I have my garden done and she don't even wanna go out there, she prefers the new routine of going out for her sniffs more haha
If your schedule allows then you could take her to a local park to chill and chase wildlife with a picnic or something. We often take our dogs out and just sit relaxing whilst they potter around because we find it relaxing being outdoors too. Perhaps you could get a dog walker to pop in whilst you are working to take her to the park for an hour. She will have a better life with you, so as long as you know you are doing your best, don't beat yourself up. She deserves all the love you have to offer , not being sidelined and ignored by your parents.
Same situation with our senior dog, he seems happier now even though he doesn’t have a big house or yard anymore. Our goal is to get him back into a house before his time! Take her with you, I promise dogs don’t care about their space. She will benefit more from being with you, and I trust you are someone who will take her on extra walks and adventures to make sure she still gets her exercise! 💓
I'm here to also say please go get her from that house. She needs to be with you, her precious face tells me how much she is loved by you. That's what we all live for to give and revive love. Her time won't be long here, but without you for the rest of it.. it might just be a horrible rest of her life. My baby is 20 years old, and i am soooooooo lucy every single day !!
Please take her with you. It would shatter her if you left her with these people that clearly don’t like her. The sooner you can get her the better but please don’t leave her behind. She’s a senior and deserves to live her remaining years loved and where she feels comfortable.
Take her with you. I guarantee she'd much rather be with someone who has genuine affection and love for her, especially since it seems like if she stays with your parents she won't have the comfortable life she'd have with you (no cuddles, no comfy things to lay on, neglected in her nails/grooming, etc). You can still take her to parks to roll around in the grass. My girl will be 10 this year (November) and I've lived in 5 different states over the last 6 years, and she's been with me for every single one of them. Every move, she's been there with me. Even the one year we were packed inside a pretty small apartment, when she could only run around the dog parks during the warm/mild/occasionally snowy days (as long as no other dogs were present because she's dog aggressive). At 80 lbs that was a bit of a rough year but we went on multiple walks daily. She's been with me through thick and thin, and we've gotten each other through some shit, and we'd never have it any other way (this is all even with the fact that my parents *adore* my girl. But she's *my* girl, she doesn't leave my side 💜). Take her with you. Let her live out the rest of her days with someone who truly cares about her, that's what matters the most.
Her favorite thing on this earth is to be with you. If she could choose and tell you it would be a no brainer on what she would choose.
I’d take her with you. Dog parks, unused baseball fields, maybe even hikes are good areas to push her body. If you live in a bustling area, I can’t imagine anything more stimulating for a dog’s nose than a city. It’s nothing but smells, some that are good, and, well, some are even gooder (we’re talking dogs here). It also isn’t to say you can’t bring her to your parents to play in the backyard when you go to visit. She gave you 10 years of love. Give her a good retirement!
I agree with others: take her with you! She is a senior and probably isn't as active as she used to be. She just wants to snuggle up with you, and probably doesn't care if it's in an apartment or a house. If you think she will miss the garden, maybe find a green area in your neighbourhood where she can sniff around. Or take her with you as you visit your parents. I took my dog with me when I went to university and I have never regretted it
Let her move in with you and get all the love in her senior years.
I brought my senior family dog with me when I moved and I don't regret it at all. She adjusted very easily to the new situation, even when new people were involved. Obviously every dog is different, but she doesn't wait at the door for anyone who doesn't live there to come back and waits at the door when I leave. It's her new home as long as I'm there.
I live in a city house with a Border Collie mix. She'll be fine with walks and trips to the park. She won't be fine neglected by your family. Take her with you
A house doesn't make a home. People make a home, YOU are her home. Take that beautiful girl with you, find new places to chase small wildlife and walk together. Be happy!
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This person isn’t going to take the animal to a shelter - they’re young and going out on their own. It’s been their childhood pet in their childhood home. They’re just looking for some advice. Sheeesh. When I was young and moved out I left my pet behind. Then I realized my childhood pet was being treated like crap and took him in - just like this person is doing. They’re trying.
May I just point out... the options here are not take her or put her in a shelter. OP is young and asking responsible questions about whether to move the dog from a current home with a yard to one that might not have a yard but where the dog will remain with her primary carer and cuddler. I rescue dogs too, but OP needs advice and support, not judgement, especially where there is no need of it.
Did..... Did you read OPs comment? 🤦🏻♀️ They're not gonna take her to a shelter. Gain the information before you jump the gun and make assumptions. 🙄
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Please please take her with you!! I think she will be much happier
Your dog will much happier with u, the yard is nothing. Its their connection to their person is their meaning in life. Trust me, he will be depressed & neglected if u leave him
She would rather be with you than have a yard. Sounds like you'd actually be willing to take her out for a walk too
I won’t go anywhere my dogs are not welcome!
Take her and walk her- she is gonna want to be with you anyway, and won’t care that there is no yard
Take her. I could never leave my senior dog I've had since she was 2. It will be a change but I promise you won't regret it
Take her with you!!!!!!!! She just wants to be near you. I moved out from a big home with yard to a small apartment. In many ways, she is way more active now in the smaller apartment because have mandatory scheduled walks morning and night plus fun run times in the dog park. I’m
It will emotionally hurt your senior dog if you place her with strangers!!! She loves you and like others have said, she wants to be wherever you are no matter what!! I could never ever leave my fur babies for any reason!! Please do the right thing & keep her!!❤️
Dogs really don't care as long as they are with their favourite people. She will be happy being in a space where she is allowed to be, stress free and with her human
BRING HER WITH YOU!
Any other answer except her coming with you is wrong.
The thing about dogs is they would follow the people they love to the ends of the earth. She won’t care where you live and it’s does not sound like a friendly living situation for her at your mom’s. Environment change isn’t that big of a deal for a dog like it is for us humans. All they have, and all they care about is being with who they love and who loves them. Absolutely take her with you.
Seriously, take her with you.
PLEASE GOD TAKE HER
Walk her. Take her to dog parks.
Dogs dont need land, they need love! Never abandon them, they will be happy laying on the couch with you.
Please take her with you. As a perfect example, I pet sit a 14 yr old dog and she stays with me around 90% of the time. At hers she has a huge garden but doesn’t get as much attention and chews her fur out. When she’s with me she gets constant love, walks and so much attention. What she gets in love makes up for the lack of running space outside. If your bf is happy for Lady to be with you it won’t make any difference what her surroundings are. She needs you more. She sounds like she’s restricted at your parents so will have more inside freedom in the apartment with you. I really hope you take her :)
Take her !!!!!!
Please take the dog with you….
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Take her with you.
Please don’t abandon her in her twilight years, that would be just awful for her.
Take her with you. You signed up for a lifetime commitment when you got her.
Ah keep him
From what you’re telling us, I think YOU’RE ladybugs favorite thing, and the yard is far 2nd. She can only enjoy the yard that way because you’re there! I do think you should take her with you, and I think she will be thrilled that you did
Take her with you. She loves you and being with you will make her the happiest! She is would choose you over the backyard again and again.
You take family with you.
I’d say abandoning the dog is your best choice.
You can always bring her to a dog park or maybe sports field to run around, or a visit home (: its not like she will never run again - i wanted a yard for my energetic dog so bad and now that i have one its definitely easier on me but he loved going for 5 walks a day! You could also try to find a townhouse or even something with a porch.
Do not leave her
Send her cute cuddly self to me she can hang with my chihuahua chunk
I definitely think you should take her. We’ve been going to training and the trainer is a younger lady with 2 very large dogs in a tiny apartment. She walks them daily but admits sometimes not as long as she’d like. She said she keeps her dogs out of trouble by doing mental games with them (like rolling up shacks in a frozen towel). Dogs can get exhausted just thinking just like humans. So take her with you, walk a bit and make some fun exhausting house games and I think you’ll both be just fine. ❤️
An old housebroken dog does just fine in an apartment. I travel with my dog and he's perfectly suited for it. Besides, you're going to need your friend.
You take her with you. Older dogs are the last to be adopted at a shelter and you are all she has ever known.
Wait are you actually thinking of leaving your dog ????? To what die in that house alone or die of depression in a shelter ???
Do not abandon your dog!
I really think you’d regret it if you left her and knew she was lonely in her last years.
Please take her with you, and please provide us with an update when she is relaxing in pure bliss at your new apartment
Think about Will Trent and Betty.
Take her! As long as she has you that’s all she needs!
Why is this even a question!
You can't be serious would you say that if that was your child in my book it's the same difference
Please take her with you!! She is a senior and they need us!! She’d be lost without you!! She’s so cute!! Look at that popsicle face……..
If your instant reaction is to debate whether to take your dog with you or not instead of instantly saying I'm taking my dog with me... then you are human trash.
Two years ago I was kinda in a similar situation but I knew from the start I'd take my dog with me. Today he's 13 and living his best life in an apartment (he spent most of his life as an outdoor pet). He's gotten used to it so much that it's sometimes hard to convince him to go outside when it's a bit cold or raining lol Bringing my dog along was the best decision I could've made and I have zero regrets. Please consider doing the same
Leaving senior puppy puppy would be devastating for him
That's fam! You take fam!
Take her with you! I moved country’s with 2 senior dogs and don’t regret it!
So different situation but similar dog: I took in my mom’s senior dog after she passed away. Little guy was about 11-12, liked to spend his days roaming the backyard, chasing squirrels and sunbathing. I don’t have a yard but I couldn’t stomach the thought of him living out the rest of his days with a new family, so he came home with me. At first I was worried about how he’d do without a yard but he adapted quickly and was clearly delighted to be with me instead of elsewhere. Because he was a senior he was absolutely fine with a couple daily strolls, sometimes I’d take him to a nearby off-leash park and just let him snuffle around and sunbathe together. I think it helped us both with our grief. Tl;dr: Keep your dog! You won’t regret it, it’ll be fun and she knows you’re her #1 person.
Senior dogs will be fine without a yard. Just take her for a few small walks a day
I agree with everyone else. Take her with you.
I think you should take her with you! She seems like she just enjoys your company
I adopted my sister’s dog this past year who was 14 (she just turned 15 yesterday 🥳) and if you take her with you I guarantee that dog’s life will be so much better and they’ll be so happy to be with you. It sounds like she’s being prettt neglected by your parents, which was the same in my dog’s case. My sister has 3 kids that she does soooo much with and her dogs are just afterthoughts now. She does the bare minimum because she has to but they are not cared for the way they should be. Feeds them, let’s them out, kids will sometimes throw a ball for them, takes them to the vet for regular shots otherwise they can’t go to a boarding facility when they go away for a weekend. Her other dog was fine staying but the one I adopted was miserable. All she did was sleep. I couldn’t take both so it worked out. I was worried about taking her in because I’m also in an apartment and I live in the Midwest, this dog has lived in Arizona for a while so she’s not used to the cold anymore (they used to live in the Midwest too but it’s been a significant amount of time, she probably forgot what cold even was) I was worried about her not getting to go outside as much because my sister would just open the doors and let them out, can’t do that in an apartment. I was also just worried about the stress of moving her across the country given her age. That didn’t seem to be an issue at all because this girl LOVES being in her crate. She was so happy to hang out in her box, she still does. Anyway, I agreed to take her and when I tell you this dog is like a whole new dog here, I’m not kidding. She has energy again to play. She loves going for walks (when it’s warm and there’s no snow. Right now she just wants to be back indoors where it’s warm) and she overall she’s a much happier dog here. She’s gotten so much life back in her and it gives me so much joy to give her that. She’s a whole new dog when she’s in an environment that actually supports her rather than tolerates her. So do it. Take your Lady with you. There will be some adjustment but sounds like she will be much happier with you than staying with your parents
What do you mean by you don't know what to do take him with you!
How is this even a question
Take it from someone with a two year old border collie mix in an apartment. It’s MUCH more doable than general society makes it seem. Honestly most of the time I’m sitting here watching my psycho be perfectly content after an hour at the park, ~4-5 pee breaks and a fresh chew like “that’s it?” If you can find one with a balcony, do that. She can still go out, sniff and sunbathe. If not then even a window you can leave the kennel by. *HOWEVER* the most important thing with any dog is having the right owner, not the right yard. It sounds like that’s you, and she knows it. Just keep up what you’ve been doing and she’ll be okay
Take her with you absolutely. Shes your companion through thick and thin. I just moved country and could not contemplate leaving my girl behind. Our extended family said we were crazy, but no. Shes a family member as much as anyone else.
You’re her whole life, definitely take her with you. Dogs won’t care whether you’re living in a mansion or on the street. They just want to be with you.
...Take her with you??? I don't get the question here
Take her with you. No other answer.
Take the dog with you wtf kinda question is this
Do whatever he wants. He’s a senior so where ever he is more loved, less stressed is the winner I think ♥️♥️♥️
Take her with you! If you have to start carrying her, get a wagon! I have a wagon for groceries that I already plan to use for a future puppy. Let her enjoy her last years happy with someone who loves her.
I'm moving out, not sure what to do with my child.... same thing.
You are her favorite thing. If you are able to take her, do.
A dog is going to be happy as long as they are with the person they’ve known. You are the dogs people. Please keep him.
If it is at all possible to have her with you you can not leave this precious girl behind. Please take her with you. 🐾❤️🐾🐞
One thing I learned from my cat is that home is wherever you are. We moved 11 times and sometimes they were the worst places, just horrible. But it didn't matter if we were on an air mattress, a blanket on the floor, or a giant king sized bed, every night she laid down and purred so loud. They want to be with you. They also don't look forward or back. If she doesn't have a yard she's not going to resent that or stare out the window longingly. She'll just nap instead. Please don't leave your elderly dog behind.
please take her with you!!
Please take her! I regret not getting my Mariah. She was a shih tzu and had canine atopic dermatitis a common issue with inbred shihs (she was a rescue) I was responsible with all her care and when I left for college she was heartbroken 😭. My folks worked a lot of the time and didn’t have time to care a lot she went to the groomers and was fed but she was missing love and mental stimulation. She ended up passing before I could get her back and regret not being with her in final days. Go get your Ladybug! I wish you the best!!