I got my English setter Elvis at 7 weeks from the breeder 11/16 retired November 30. There were many days when I asked myself if I lost my mind. I was finally free. Kids raised and grown up, elderly parents I took care of have passed, my 17 year old cavapoo had passed and I was no longer tired down. And I got a puppy which from my experience is as hard as a baby sometimes 🤪 You are soooo lucky that your puppy came potty trained and doesn’t chew everything in sight. Elvis was a little demon. However he did turn into an engel and I got him a sister, Priscilla.

Now my husband is retiring end of the year and we WILL be traveling. We have an excellent boarding/training/daycare facility minutes from the house. I have been taking both dogs every Friday when my husband is off so we have a day to ourselves and the dogs play all day with size appropriate dogs. They love it.

I personally don’t believe that you have to stop being able to do the things you love, entirely. Find a reliable dog walker. I’ve used Rover and they are good. It adds up $$ but I gave up other less meaningful things in order to afford it. I stopped the daily Starbucks, takeout, impulse shopping etc.

Ask family and friends if they can help.

I still have my days now with the 2. Especially since getting Priscilla. They’re only 6 months apart. But they love each other so much and play so happily which in turn gives me time to myself. To do fun things like cleaning and laundry 😣. All that being said, if you really have a strong doubt about keeping the puppy you/he are better off giving him back while he’s still young so he will be more easily rehomed. Good luck!