seniors ... do you plan your pets passing before you?

Our dog, Otto, is only four years old, so it's quite possible he will outlive my husband and me. Just last week, I made arrangements for my nephew to take him if we both should die before Otto does. My nephew loves our dog and I know he will take good care of him if the need arises. I will set aside a bit of money each month for vet bills.

I had a cat who lived to be 18. She was the best. My heart hurt so bad when she had to go.

I got two more cats after her and after 4 years the one got kidney failure and died (Tina...her eye is my avatar). I got a male and he doesn't get along with my other remaining female.

My cats are in my will to be taken care of by whomever my executor is.

I am well aware that we can go any time but assuming I will reach an older age I wonder if these two will be my last. I have seen so many cats up for adoption in stores and the tags read "my mom died" or "my mom had to go to a nursing home." It would break my heart into a billion pieces if I had to leave them behind.

But then I realize I may face many years alone without the love of a cat. I'm only 52 but cats can live to be quite old. The two I have now are 8 and 5.

When they go I may take a break from the pet situation for about 6 months and travel or something.

I'll just have to reassess when the time comes.

That's exactly the reason I will not get another cat, even though my heart desperately wants one. I knew my kitty would probably die before me and so she did, at the age of fourteen. We also have a two-year-old dog, but I know that if I die in the next couple of years, my husband will either find a way to care for him or find him another home if he's unable to do so. I am in very poor health, so I have to think of these things.

I have a Border Collie who is 13, a Pit Bull who is 11, a cat who is 12 and another who is7. All are in very good health, and I hope to help keep them that way. I am 76, I plan to care for them as long as they live. The one I worry about is my bird Rowdy, He is 29 this yer, his life expectancy is about 50 years. I hope I can find someone who will actually love him and keep his routine, diet and care as I have. Birds often do not take to someone unfamiliar easily.

I have complete confidence that if my pet outlives me, one of my family members will make sure she is taken good care of. In your case though, I think your wife has a very valid point. You have taken on the very commendable task (or honor...I should say) of caring for unloved/unwanted animals. Very few people have your heart, and I shudder to think what will happen to them after you're gone.

If the pet is close to and dependent upon a person, the pet may pass relatively quickly after the person dies. I have seen this on 2 occasions.

No, but it's always in the back of my mind the lifespan of each and I dread the thought of having to say good-bye to yet one more of my "best bud's." My husband (who is not as enthusiastic about pets,) would probably turn to my sister to find homes for any critters I'd leave behind. We really haven't discussed it, but since you brought it up, it's not a bad idea to plan ahead.

We have a large family and someone will make sure the dogs are cared for. I seen a show where the people had their pets put to sleep when they passed. That's creepy.

I expect that our dog, Bud will die before we do. he's ten and starting to slow down. It will be a sad day when it happens.

If it works out that we die first I know our daughter would take Bud and he would fit right in. He stays there upon occasion when we go out of town and he loves it.

had my old tom of 20 odd years put down after my 3rd trip to the vet,could not keep him any longer but would not have another pet I am 84 and the animal would outlive me,not fair to the animal