kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Feb 18, 2024 3:42:52 GMT
I will definitely want another dog after our 13-yr-old chi crosses over (hopefully not for several more years!). I am interested in the "seniors for seniors" programs that many shelters have - my favorite ones have protection for the pet in case you have an extended hospitalization, health problems, or death. Some have free or discounted vet services and subsidies for pet food.
In the meantime, if anything happened to us, our kids would be fighting tooth and nail to keep the family dog. My mom might also take her in.
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Post by Ramona on Feb 18, 2024 3:49:57 GMT
ScrappintoeeThank you for the suggestion to get a bracelet to wear in case I couldn't get to a phone. My daughter does call mostly every evening, but we really don't have plans in case I don't answer. (I apologize I'm not familiar with the quote feature)
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,427
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Feb 18, 2024 4:27:51 GMT
My children got me a dog (with my permission) two years after my husband and previous dog(two months apart) had passed. I thought I would never want another dog, but I love her so much. It is very lonely here, my kids live several hours away, She takes care of me. Before I agreed to the new puppy, my daughter promised to continue to care for her. My worry now is if I die at home, how long would she be alone before anyone would find us. I had a friend who another friend and I chatted with pretty much each and every day. We checked in every morning. She lived alone. One morning (4/29) she didn’t check in, other friend and I chatted away all day thinking she was maybe busy. Another day went by and she didn’t check in. The next day we started trying to contact her family - we didn’t have any contacts so we went on Facebook. Finally after 4 days we were able to get someone to go to her house and check. She had passed away, most likely on 4/29, and no one knew. That was her greatest fear in life- to die and no one would know for days. 😢. All that to say- Have at least one person you say good morning and good night to and give them contact info for someone who can check on you in person.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,508
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Feb 18, 2024 4:56:32 GMT
My husband and I inherited his dad’s dog when he passed away. He was a great dog and we were glad to take him. My kids have been warned that at some point they might inherit a dog. I plan to have a dog as long as I possibly can.
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Post by Ryann on Feb 18, 2024 6:15:23 GMT
We are down to one cat - her sister passed away a little over a year ago. We are recently retired and for as long as we're lucky to have her, our traveling will be shorter and closer to home. When we become pet-free, we'll do longer and farther away travels. At this point, we don't intend to have anymore pets. I could see fostering cats in the future, but at the very least I want to volunteer at the local animal shelter to get my cat snuggles.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Feb 18, 2024 14:45:17 GMT
My MIL died just before Thanksgiving. She was 85 and lived independently in a 55+ community. She had a cat and really worried about who would care for the cat if she died. She did not want DH and I to take him since we have 2 dogs and 2 cats. She was worried her cat wouldn't adjust and fit in.
We live 11 hours from her and BIL 8 hours. Both sons kept in contact at least every other day, so we knew within a day of her not responding to calls something was wrong. The first responders that discovered her body, made sure there was food and water out for the cat and knew we were on our way.
We ended up taking the cat, and we had told her we would if he needed us to provide a home. He has settled in nicely and has two brothers to wrestle with. I just hope if she can see us, and she sees how happy he is.
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Post by kitkath on Feb 18, 2024 15:29:16 GMT
My parents are both 83 and their 17 year old car just passed away. My mom was looking at kittens on the humane society website the next day! She thought we would take it when the time comes. I told her no, do NOT get another pet. We already have 3 inside cats and there are 3 outside cats at their house, one of which would LOVE to come in. I love my cats but also would love to travel more but I hate to be away from them for more than a week. We have a 1 and a 2 year old cat, and a 13 year old one that would prefer to be an “only.” We’ve never gone looking to acquire a cat, they just show up and move in according to the “cat distribution system.” 😝
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Post by ShesaRenegade on Feb 18, 2024 17:06:07 GMT
I have thought about this, too. I am 59 and have decided that my current dog will be my last pet. I do have two "dog-parents" (think Godparents) who have agreed to take my girl in case something happens to me. Inside my door is a small sign with her name and their numbers just in case something happens. This way anyone visiting or emergency responders will know to call them instead of taking my girl to the shelter.
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Post by wallyagain on Feb 18, 2024 17:35:35 GMT
There is a group in Canada called “My grandfather’s cat” that facilitates finding a home for seniors or terminally ill people. It allows for the pet to stay as long as possible. They have only been around since 2021. But what a great service and peace of mind.
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Post by librarylady on Feb 18, 2024 18:06:17 GMT
DH is a spry 85. I am in late 70s. When our dog died about 15 years ago I was glad to be without a pet and the chore of finding a pet sitter when we took a trip. We were without a pet for about 18 months and then DH asked me (I felt bad about him thinking he has to ask and put disclaimers out.) He wanted a cat and promised to handle the litter box and feeding the cat if I agreed to one. Shortly thereafter a tiny kitten appeared on our creek bank and we took him in. His name is Sweetie and it is the perfect name for him. His disposition is very loving and sweet. When we are both gone, he should be easy to rehome.
Our second cat appeared on the creek bank almost 1 year later. She was a kitten at the time. We named her Shadow as she is black. She is the strangest cat I have ever encountered. She barely relates to either of us. She is 9 years old now. She will allow him (and on rare days, me) to pet or brush her. She does not play/hide in boxes like 99% of other cats. She will play with a couple of small toys that she tosses and pounces upon. My sister uses us as a B&B when she is catching a flight to see her children. I think she visited about 5-6 years before she ever even saw Shadow. Shadow is still about 90% feral. However, she is terrified of the outdoors and stays inside all the time. We have a cattery so she can enjoy outside air from time to time.
All that being said, when we are both gone, I don't know what can/will happen to Shadow.
This post makes me think we need to present the possibilities to our families. A sister in Texas would/could take Sweetie, but I don't know what opportunities will be available for Shadow.
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Post by Merge on Feb 18, 2024 18:31:44 GMT
I think about this sometimes. Neither of our kids is in a position to take in our dog if something happened to us. My brother might be able to.
When my parents passed away, their cat ended up with some friends of friends and I gather the cat was pretty unhappy. She was older and didn't like the new environment/people/animals. That makes me sad. But I suppose it was better than ending up at the pound.
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Post by gryroagain on Feb 18, 2024 20:47:41 GMT
I am on my second elderly (10) grossly obese tuxedo cat rescue. Both same situation- owner died, family booted the cat. I really enjoy being a safe space to land for these poor thing. People just don’t realize cats can live 25 years.
Now my mom, who rescues birds, whole other thing. We are talking 30-60 years. 2 of her 3 are in their late twenties but no more birds mom…
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Feb 18, 2024 23:34:06 GMT
We have one dog right now and I know my boys or my extended family would grab him in a minuet should DH and I pass while Scouty is alive. I know this is a typo, but it's cracking me up, the idea of your family grabbing the dog to dance the minuet upon news of your death.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,576
Member is Online
Oct 2, 2017 23:20:46 GMT
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Post by mich5481 on Feb 18, 2024 23:37:23 GMT
I am on my second elderly (10) grossly obese tuxedo cat rescue. Both same situation- owner died, family booted the cat. I really enjoy being a safe space to land for these poor thing. People just don’t realize cats can live 25 years. Now my mom, who rescues birds, whole other thing. We are talking 30-60 years. 2 of her 3 are in their late twenties but no more birds mom… My former sister-in-law's parents had a parrot, and neither she nor her sister wanted the bird when their parents passed, so the parents made provisions in their will for the bird to be taken care of, since parrots can live up to 100 years. Last I heard, the bird passed before the parents did.
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Post by mom on Feb 19, 2024 0:45:59 GMT
We have one dog right now and I know my boys or my extended family would grab him in a minuet should DH and I pass while Scouty is alive. I know this is a typo, but it's cracking me up, the idea of your family grabbing the dog to dance the minuet upon news of your death. LOL definitely a typo! Though, now that I think about it, I am pretty sure I have had that typo before!
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Post by Zee on Feb 19, 2024 0:57:29 GMT
I wish people would not keep birds that live 75+ years or whatever as pets. Parrots should be free or in a zoo big enough to have aviaries for them and colonies for them to live naturally. They're very intelligent and IMO not suited for captivity. They're always pulling their feathers out and stuff. (Ok, not all of them, but I know it's very common)
Bless your mom for rescuing them...parrot sanctuaries do such great work. Thankfully my FIL's African Gray passed before he did because I definitely did not want that ill-mannered loud obnoxious overly-smart bird. Lol, bless his memory. Both of them.
A friend's father has a macaw who's like 50 years old, he could have another 50 years in him. The father is in his 90s. If the friend doesn't take him, what happens to the bird? And the bird loses the only home he's known. Sad!
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Post by Linda on Feb 19, 2024 1:10:14 GMT
Thankfully my FIL's African Gray passed before he did because I definitely did not want that ill-mannered loud obnoxious overly-smart bird. Lol, bless his memory. Both of them. DH has always wanted an African Grey - I DO NOT like being close to birds ... seeing them in the wild? fine. In an aviary? sure. Having to feed or handle one? Hell no. Fortunately by the time affording one was doable, DH realised that it would probably outlive him and no, the kids do NOT want one - so we don't have one.
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