Have you ever wondered about your pets future if you weren’t around?…
I certainly never did. Because our pet’s usually have shorter life spans than we do, so why would I?…
TOMORROW’S NOT PROMISED –
Last month, one of Doodle Dad’s childhood friends, walked to the grocery store for his mother. He never made it home.
On his way back, a massive heart attack crippled his steps, just blocks from his destination. He never regained conscientiousness. He slipped away peacefully two days later.
As Lee prepared to attend and speak at his dear friends funeral – I thought of many things.
One being –
What if this man had a pet? Who would become the guardian?
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED –
At a moment’s notice (and I pray not) any one of us could become –
- laid up / incapacitated
- suddenly seriously ill
- or worse, die
As primary pet parents we’ve got to have a plan. Many of us live in “single human” homes or are sole caretakers of our pets…
Our pets are too important to us to just “assume” if something happened, a friend or relative would step up and take care of them. We must be sure. #fordoodlesure
When I brought this up to a friend, we both agreed our husbands would pick up the baton and become the primary. But what if Doodle Dad preceded me and I preceded the Boys? Scary huh? but it doesn’t have to be.
COME UP WITH A PLAN –
While we don’t want to think about this – now is a good time to put a plan together in the event we’re no longer able –
- Be sure someone has access to your home
- Talk about your wishes for your pet
- Make financial arrangements for your pet
When you get the chance please read this detailed post at thespruce.com to learn more on ways to prepare for your dog’s future.
A FEW OPTIONS –
- Pet Trust
- Will Provisions
- DIY Pet Protection Agreement
- Informal Arrangements
See dogster.com for a full description regarding these options.
Whether your plans are formal or informal, “some plan is better than no plan.”
Speak to your family and friends, you will find yourself resting more easily knowing your dog will be taken care of – the way you want them taken care of – if something happens to you…
As I’ve read more, I’ve learned more. #knowledgeispower I’ve identified my plan which has given me peace of mind.
Tell me – has this thought ever crossed YOUR mind? Do you have a plan. Please share – this is important stuff.
ONE MORE THING –
HumaneSociety.org — offers a helpful fact sheet about providing for your pet’s future without you.
Always remember – that breath you just took…that’s a gift ❤️
This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
May 3, 2017
There are provisions for the fur-survivors in my will but now I think I need to add a tag to my key ring that tells anyone there are pets at home that need attention. Thought provoking post!
May 3, 2017
Thanks Monika – I never thought about adding provisions in my will until Lee’s friend died so suddenly. I struggled with writing this piece for a few weeks, didn’t want to be “Doodle Mom Downer” with this subject, but we really should all give this subject some thought. I really hadn’t. Thank you so much for your recommendation about the tags too! Great suggestion. Have a wonderful day my friend!
May 3, 2017
Thanks for this post! This is a reminder for my humans to get a plan in writing for me & my Basset minion. Mom has been thinking about this subject for awhile, & it especially comes up when she & Dad are about to travel on vacation. You just may have lighted the candle under her seat to get her with the program, ’cause she knows it is important. I appurr-ciate it!
May 3, 2017
My pleasure Valentine – let’s keep our paws crossed that more PAWrents see that lit candle too!
May 3, 2017
Geez, just thinking about it makes me cringe. If something happened to me, I don’t know what would happen to my girls. Hubby is about as observant of their normal behavior – never mind when they don’t feel well – as I am of a snail in the neighbors’ front yard. Would he remember to feed them separately, with no access to each other’s bowl? I doubt it. Would he remember to take them to the vet when their shots/hw tests are due? Or for their annual exams? I doubt it. Even if I left instructions in plain sight. Time for me to make a plan. Past time. And I like Monika’s idea, too. Luckily, I do have a trusted pet sitter who could care for them in a pinch.
May 3, 2017
It was rather rattling to me too when I first started thinking about it. But after I “exhaled” for a moment, I was able to gather my thoughts, do some research and put a plan together. And later – I felt better about the whole thing.
May 3, 2017
Important things to remember! Thanks for this post. At this point, the dogs’ grandpawrents would take them… but who knows who’s going to outlive whom?
May 3, 2017
It’s always good to have options. Take care Kari
May 3, 2017
Very good point! I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
May 3, 2017
Thanks so much Forest, I will let Doodle Dad know…
May 3, 2017
It is so sad when we read a story of a pet needing a home because their loved one died, and the surviving family won’t take them.
I don’t worry about that though, I know my sisters would step up and take care of my pets, just as I would do for theirs. However, I am the youngest in the family, so I know this will be something I need to think about in the future.
May 3, 2017
I know – not a happy subject but a necessary one. You and I are blessed beyond measure knowing we’ve got family members to step in if need be, but everyone isn’t as fortunate.
May 3, 2017
We got a dose of that reality when the dr. said to Mom, “you broke your ankle”. She has always thought what would we do if something happened to her, an accident, illness or death. We learned the hard way about some things with the ankle. One really does need to have a plan in place.
May 3, 2017
Luckily for you and your sisters it was only a broken ankle. Make sure you all let your Mom know how much you love her this Mother’s Day. She takes real good care of you 🙂
May 3, 2017
Yep!! Great post. The doodles are in my will! Loved when the lawyer asked me about them.
May 3, 2017
That’s fantastic Deirdre – how have you been?
May 3, 2017
There is a great book (can’t remember the name) that allows you to write down everything about your pet in case you pass before your pet – I think it’s “in case I die before my pet,” or something.
Although it’s morbid, I think it’s a great idea, because all of our pets have such unique personalities, quirks, and needs.
Although this isn’t a fun topic; it’s necessary to remind us to make a plan for our pets.
May 3, 2017
I’ve never heard of the book, but you know I’ve got to look for it now 🙂 Yep – I know this isn’t the happiest post one could write but after Lee’s friend died, it was something I kept thinking about and finally decided to share. Now that I’ve made m provisions I pray that I can shake the thought from my Doodle Mom mental rolodex.
May 4, 2017
It is not something that we like to think about but we have discussed it. Bentley and Pierre would be taken care of by our children if we should both go before them. Thank you for the resources. I will check them out too.
May 7, 2017
It’s one of those things that you’ve just got to give quality time to once! Then you can erase it from your mind. But you’ve got to address it – just once. Sounds like you’ve got your plan together. Good for you!
May 4, 2017
Good point! As a dog owner, we should always come up with a plan. Having a plan for your dog if something might happen to you can help you at peace, knowing that your dog will be well cared for and safe.
May 7, 2017
Yes it certainly can, as tough as it is to think about it. Having that peace of mind knowing rather than leaving everything to chance is necessary. Thanks so much for stopping by – please come back again soon 🙂
May 6, 2017
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. What a devastating loss.
Speaking as someone who was laid up (and still is, to some degree) due to an injury, I think your advice is spot on. I also wondered what would have happened if I had been hurt yet more or killed when I fell, and I wondered where my beloved pets would go if hubby was gone too. We’re in the midst of solidifying plans now. We consider my fall our wakeup call.
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
May 7, 2017
So happy you’re okay! This is precisely why I decided to write the post – I want people to think about it – and hopefully put a plan together if their situation isn’t as easy as yours or mine. Thanks for sharing.