Think I should foster a dog in a small apartment?.
 

I am considering fostering a tiny lap-dog( chihuahua?) in the fall as I would really enjoy the companionship. I live in a affortable housing apartment and they seem to have allowed dogs now as two of my neighbors has gotten dogs, though one has since moved away.

My apartment is three rooms, living room, bedroom and bathroom. I would only consider a toy breed like a chi because of the space issues. Even then I am not sure if a tiny dog will be happy being confined in a small apartment most of the time.

I would be able to take the dog to run sometimes at my parents house ( they have almost 1 acre of land and there's wood behind them), other times the dog would be either taken on walks or tied on a leash by my door. They'd be times I'd be home a lot and other times I may be gone most of the day. Since I live alone, obviously when I am not home, the dog would be totally alone.

My job situation is now mostly a massage therapy, which means I head out to do practice massages on a regular basis, ideally every two days. There are times I do outdoors recreation, which would be when I'd be home the least. Then again, I may take the dog with me half of the time depending on what I'm doing.
I would take to take up art again, if this happens, I'll be home a lot during this time.

Because I have no idea when I am going to earn more money, I would only consider a foster situation. Having a foster dog would mean the foster organization would pay for the dogs' more expensive care such as vet check ups, which I wouldn't be able to afford on my own. When I earn more money, I will move away to a better place. Hopefully have a small yard of my own that I can fence in to allow a dog to run a bit. Not going to count on it, because I have no idea when it will happen.

First off I can't afford to give a dog vet care, secondly as soon as I get more income, I will start living part time in another country. This is my goal in my life. The income to expenses ratio is troubling around here and I have no idea when I can ,ove to a place where I'll be able to earn a better income.

i think this would be a wonderful idea
im sorry you cannot afford a dog of your own just be shure to give him/her lots of love
^.^

Wow I had no idea they had foster care for dogs! I think that's a great idea, you should go for it. :)

3 rooms for a chihuahua is not small at ALL, I would make sure it does actually have access to all 3, don't close any doors or anything, but seriously you should not have a problem with space.

I don't think you need to worry about not being around some days either. Most people work during the day, that doesn't mean they shouldn't have pets. As long as it is well taken care of and you give it lots of attention when you ARE around, you're doing your job.

I did a bit of research on chihuahuas and they seem to very high care dogs.
A special consideration is they are attacked by large predatory birds...So I could not let one run at my parents house because there are red tailed hawks there sometimes.

Dogs are great companions but they do have to be walked regularly if you do not want it to get 'issues' whether it be destroying your place or acting aggressive ect.
Walks will take away that excessive energy... and we all know that small dogs are a large bundle of energy. ^^

I used to work in a couple of dog boarding kennels and I met a lot of dogs of different breeds. I'd say that, in a three room apartment, you could easily/comfortably foster dogs up to the size of a small spaniel. The breeds more like spaniels and less like terriers are more likely to be calm when left alone and can get by with a bit less exercise per day. More importantly though is the individual dog.

All things taken into consideration, I think it'd be alright. It's great that you're willing to give the dog a home, by the way. That's a really sweet idea.

Three rooms would be enough room for the dog. Ensure that you have enough time to take it outside, preferably at least once a day. My dog doesn't really have much of a backyard (we live in a condo, so our yard is shared and we can't exactly leave him out there) and he does just fine. But he's also a spoiled little brat. xD
Dogs do just fine on their own for a day or so. I think it'd have a pretty good home with you. -nods-

It sounds like you've researched what you're getting into. So it would probably be alright.

Somethings you might want to consider though are extra expenses outside of general food, toys, etc. Have you talked to your apartment complex about their pet policy? You're definitely looking into paying for a pet deposit, if you're lucky you'll get some of it back, but some complexes make the deposit non-refundable. Also I would definitely talk to the foster organization about how the dog's personality is and if he/she has difficulties being left alone. You wouldn't want to loose your apartment deposit because the dog ripped up the carpet and other things out of boredom/loneliness. Also if the dog has issues about being house trained, or if it just has an accident I'd recommend buying some enzyme odor neutralizer, otherwise you might have more problems.

Another issue is how much you're going to get attached to the little guy/girl. If you're really going to be living between two countries in the future you're probably definitely going to have to give the pup up. And if you're anything like me it's going to be heart wrenching, even if it is "better for the animal".

Have you thought about just volunteering at a shelter or animal home? We have one near me and I've considered just driving up there on days I have a lot of time and just staying there all day playing with the kitties and doggies. : ) That way you get all the involvement, love, and companionship, but none of the expenses. I just recently adopted a kitten and let me tell you all the other kittens wanted me to love them so bad! I really did want to take all them home just so I could make them feel better. But I'm doing good just to take care of my kitten, and thats with starting now to pay for his annual check-up next year.