Advice please - so attached to this puppy

[Notnastypasty]

I've been fostering a pup for a week now - he is a gorgeous little thing, so sweet and has really bonded with me. It has been made clear that if I want to adopt him I can and I am torn.

My DD7 thinks he's great but is getting a bit fed up of not being able to run or jump around as the puppy is so small (1lb!) I'm a single parent and not sure if I'm up to having a puppy on my own. My head tells me that it's not a great idea to keep him - he is such a tiny thing and it's not fair to my daughter that she has to constantly watch what she's doing (she's very sensible anyway) and also just the general stuff that comes with having a dog, a child, being single, working, etc.

He would be great company for me when my DD is with her dad but would also curtail the freedom we have.

I thought I would be happy to see him go off to his forever home but everytime I think about it I feel heartbroken and end up sobbing. I've never felt like this about an animal before!!

The last couple of years have been stressful and sad and I don't want to make any bad decisions off the back of that. Any advice would be appreciated, I feel so torn. Will I regret letting this little pup go or am I doing the right thing?

[Notnastypasty]

Anyone?

[TheseLittleEarthquakes]

He won't be a tiny fragile puppy for long! We have a miniature sized crossbreed and she's fabulous, also our freedom isn't really curtailed as she only needs one short walk a day and is more than happy left to her own devices, she'll sleep all day if we're out.

Keep him!

[PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass]

Your responsibility lies in doing what is best for the dog not you I'm afraid. Would he be left alone for long periods whilst you are at work? Can you afford vets fees/ insurance, vaccinations, regular worming and flea treatments or a special diet if needed. Would he receive proper socialisation, exercise and enrichment?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

How long are your working hours?

[pigsDOfly]

What PaintedDrives said.

I'm afraid a dog does curtail your freedom. Every time you want to take your DD for a day out you have to think about how long you can leave the dog and if you leave it longer than it's okay with will you come back to a stressed out dog that's pooed and peed all over your house or chewed your walls?

What about holidays, do you have someone who could take the dog if you go away, can you afford kennel fees.

The cost: I pay over £43 a month for my dogs insurance - pedigree dog, lifetime insurance - but then if she's unwell and it's not something major I don't get that back on insurance because it's usually just less, or a few pounds more than the £80 excess.

Will your working hours mean you're away from home for a large part of the day and will you need to pay for a walker and so on and so on.

Yes, you could keep the dog but if fitting it in with your life and commitments means it or you or your DD are going to be stressed or unhappy in any way then you should let it go.

[someonescj]

He'll grow and not be so fragile, I'm a single parent to a 3 year old and have a dog, the dog has a bed on the landing where DD doesn't play so if the dog wants some quiet time she can.

If you can afford to send the dog somewhere when you're on holiday that's generally not an issue (my dog stays in a lady's house for £20 per night) and I use her for dog walks if I'm out all day.
I spend £15 a month on food and treats and £15 on premium insurance (she's a small crossbreed).
I also work (early shift) however my dog is used to my work pattern and secretly I think she enjoys the peace and quiet (there were a few accidents at first but I just leave loads of kongs out and put cbeebies on).

IME dogs make fantastic companions for children and teach them a lot about responsibility.

It's your call, if you think you can manage and afford the keep the dog then I'd say go for it.