I'm thinking about getting a dog after my first year more or less. I'll be starting in Ann Arbor this August. When I visited during the prospective visits, it seemed that every apartment I saw has pet rent, and it suddenly dawned on me that I'm finally going to be earning a full living stipend (which feels amazing after being in college and dependent on my parents and a collection of assorted scholarships) and I could possibly be able to have a dog.
I've never had a dog, but soon after I moved out my parents adopted a dog and then another one. I take care of them often since I live in the same city as my parents.
I went on adopt-a-pet.com and looked around, though I wouldn't be considering adopting until about a year from now at least. I'd set aside at least $1000 for emergency vet bills beforehand, and some more money for the adoption fees and miscellaneous.
If I do adopt a dog, I would get a dog that was somewhere between 1-3 years old, and on the smaller side (certainly not more than 40lbs, but not quite as small as a chihuahua). I'd want a dog who has been shown to have a laid-back personality, and isn't overly energetic (enjoys being in the apartment). Also, I'd look for a dog that has never had any parasites (namely heartworm or any gastrointestinal worms), skin conditions, or bad accidents like traffic accidents. I don't really care about the breed so much as the size and personality!
One reason for the age is, I don't want to have to move out of Ann Arbor in 5-7 years(my best guess for how long it will take me to finish my PhD) with a geriatric dog. I'm not worrying about the prospect of eventually moving with a small/medium adult dog (family and close friends have successfully moved as far as the other side of the globe with a large dog), but I don't want to have to move an aging dog who will no doubt have medical conditions as it nears the end of its life...And I certainly would never give up on a dog after I'd lived with it for that many years...I plan on staying with any pet I have until the end.
I've seen lots and lots of dogs so far that fit the bill, and I know that there will always be more dogs to adopt. There are so many dogs to adopt that part of my adopt-a-pet searching now is designed to keep me from adopting every dog I see as soon as I step foot in a shelter or pound. I also don't feel bad about not adopting a 'less adoptable' dog...Perhaps later in my life, when I am more financially stable and have more time, I will adopt a special needs or similar 'less-adoptable' dog.
Any suggestions? Feedback?
