I'm old. Can I commit to my last dog? Fifteen years?!1

[UTUSN]

O.K., some backround. What to do? I won't last that long. I am selfish and don't want to give the dog away.



This is a DISCUSSION, O.K.? There IS no dog at this point, O.K.?!1

[flvegan]

1. Can you clarify?

Are you thinking of getting a dog, but are worried you may "outlive" the dog?

[Muttocracy]

2. I think he means the other way around? n/t

[UTUSN]

3. Yeah, I'm thinking of getting another (LAST) dog. But it's a BIG commitment n/t

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

8. Get the dog----I'm in a condo where I can no longer have them but

I'd get one on a minute if I could and I'll bet I'm older than you.

I would get an older dog,though,not a puppy.

[flvegan]

11. Getting a pet IS a big commitment, yes.

Why do you think that you'll outlive this animal?

Maybe adopting an adult dog would be a good idea.

Also, arrangements could be made for the dog should the dog outlive you.

I have to say that I'm glad you're thinking this through. I do have to say that a dog would make whatever time you have left more enjoyable, and many experts say that a pet prolongs your life. If you adopt, you may very well be prolonging a life as well.

Maybe you save each other.

[zanne]

26. I've had the same thoughts, UTUSN.

Not to be macabre, but I don't know how long I have and I wonder about taking in another cat (stray). I have a husband, and I would stipulate in my will that he keep the cat unless he can find a very, very good home for it. I wouldn't, however, get a parrot!

[femmocrat]

4. Do you have a will?

You can put a provision in it for the care of your dog if he/she outlives you.

I wouldn't NOT get a dog for that reason, though. They don't all live to be 15, and there are so many adult dogs in shelters that need a home. I'll bet there is one waiting for you right now.

Good luck. :hug:

[LeftyMom]

5. Have you thought about adopting an adult or senior dog?

A lot of shelters have special programs for matching older people and older dogs, usually at a very low adoption fee or none at all.

[stuntcat]

25. ooo yeah!

You know there are good dogs out there who need someone to care for them.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Oh now I see what you're saying...

Yes, by all means get a dog...maybe an older dog. :)

[spindrifter]

7. Why not get an older dog?

There are lots of older dogs available for adoption. Some have special needs, but others have had to be given up because their owners are no longer able to care for them. A five or six year old dog usually has a lot of love and loyalty to give--and you don't have to do all of the puppy care. Sorry, I didn't see the comment on elder dog adoption above.

[Muttocracy]

9. talk to some local dog rescue groups? or shelter from which you adopt?

Most places have agreements that if the need arises for whatever reason, they'll take the dog back.

Could make an informal arrangement with a local rescue group or something in your will?

This is in NY but has links to other sources of info,
http://www.bluemoonmeadows.org/linksresources/planning.html

And my top recommendation of all = share your love with a senior dog. You may both last longer than you think! :)

http://www.srdogs.com

[Ptah]

10. I think having a dog would improve two lives.

I hope you find one.

:thumbsup:

[Connonym]

24. I agree

Even hypothetically speaking, if you were to only live 10 more years you could bring 10 years of joy into the life of a dog that might otherwise be euthanized or live in a shelter. A perhaps shortened life of love versus no life at all? I think you would both come out ahead in this deal.

[Akoto]

12. Adopt an older dog. I did.

I adopted my Labrador when she was seven years old, and she is honestly one of the best dogs I've ever had. Great personality, plus she already came potty trained. :)

[UTUSN]

13. Grooming is a problem. Walking is a problem.

Da dog CAN'T TYPE into DA DU Lounge. Whatt're we gonna DO?!1

[UTUSN]

14. O.K., final response: I get REALLY attached, so I don't want to leave a dog BEHIND.

One time I had to put a dog to sleep, about 15 years ago, and I STILL haven't gotten over it.


So, I don't want to lose another one, K? I'd rather go first. -------wait a minit, I'd rather go LAST.

[Muttocracy]

15. ??

[Arkansas Granny]

27. Am I reading this correctly? You want to get a dog, but if your

passing seemed imminent you would have the dog put down first rather than leave it behind? If that is the case, I would advise against getting a dog. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

However, if I'm reading this wrong and you are concerned about what would happen to the dog if it outlives you, some of the other posters have made some excellent suggestions about making arrangements for someone to care for the dog after your passing. If you could do that, I would say get a dog. The dog would miss you if it outlived you, but like people, it would adjust to the loss and could still have a good life in a new home.

[Wcross]

16. Plenty of older dogs need a home.

I adopted this guy "Buddy" five years ago. He is about 15 years old now, he is a great dog. He was headed to the pound & a certain death. Lucky for me he found his way here.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

17. Get the dog

My parent's were both 71 and the same question. I said get the puppy. And they did. The dog is now 6 and she's the reason they go walkies everyday to the woods and I get to hear about the adventures they have.
If they outlive this one I'd encourage them to get another. I'd have her if she out lived them

[harmonicon]

18. get a dog

I think pets are the greatest thing in the world. You'll be so happy to have a nice friend to spend all of your time with. Whatever the age of the dog you get, please do get one from a rescue shelter.

[Lisa0825]

19. Get a dog and choose doggy 'god parents,' pardon the religious reference.

WestHoustonDem and I are each other's 'kitty god parents,' which means if something happens to one of us, we will take care of the furkids. In addition, though I have no children, I calculated my life insurance needs based on how much it would cost to take care of my cats for 10 years, to make sure she didn't have to absorb the cost herself (I am a rescuer, so lets just say I have more than the typical number of cats!).

Some no-kill shelters will also agree to care for pets in the event of your death if you make arrangements. Just make sure you know exactly what conditions the pet will live in, as in shelter, foster home, etc.

[allalone]

20. get a dog

you might surprise yourself by staying among us due to it's unconditional love.
Here's another site for older dogs. They already have manners and are calmer than pups.
www.olddoghaven.org

[FloridaJudy]

21. I'd take the advice offered here

Adopt an older dog. My own dog is coming up and fifteen, and she's still feisty. But when she passes I, too, would be hesitant to adopt a puppy: I've reached that age when a puppy is as likely to outlive me as not, but I wouldn't want to do without canine companionship. I plan to visit the local pound or rescue facility and take home a senior.

We old farts have to stick together. "Hey, you cats! Get off of our lawn!"

[LaurenG]

22. Get a dog, animals are really good for raising quality of life for their people

Don't miss out on all that love. I'd do it Utusn and then I'd do what the poster above is saying, find someone to take the dog, just in case.

Good luck with your new doggy (you really should get a dog or two)

[Jamastiene]

23. You don't even have the dog yet and you are attached to it?

Ah hell, get a dog and leave everything you own to it in your will. That way someone HAS to take care of the dog in case you croak, ahem, pass, before the dog does. Problem solved. Bill's in the mail. :P :hi:

[China_cat]

28. Senior Dogs Project

http://www.srdogs.com/

We're old too. Too old to even think about a puppy. But our breed rescue (we love Bouviers) always has senior dogs that need homes. We know we won't have them as long, but they will have a good home while they live out their last years.

And, in the event that we should go first, our wills include a provision for the care of any animals that might be left.

OR, as we have, you could consider fostering. That way you'll always have a furfriend or 2 around and a whole organization as backup if something should happen to you.

[mike_c]

29. no advice to offer, just commisseration....

I'm not there yet-- I'm in my fifties-- but I've begun to wonder when I'll have to stop taking in new cats. Not anytime real soon, I hope, but it's a real concern. Who will take care of them if I leave them behind? I live alone, too, so will they suffer if I die alone and some time passes before anyone finds out?

At the same time, I cannot imagine living without them. They're my friends and family.

It's a tough decision. I'm not sure how I'll deal with it, but I have lots of friends that have made it clear they'll take care of my cats if anything happens to me now, so I'm hoping to have at least one or two folks willing to make that commitment when I reach my last generation of furry friends.

[baby_mouse]

30. Can you gt a puppy and share him/her?

She or he will miss you lots.

This post makes me sad...