I don't want a pet for all the time it takes to take care of it, especially dealing with the "mistakes". Perhaps I analyze too much, but pet owners create a market for places like puppy mills, so customers can keep an animal as a "prisoner". I hear dogs barking here all the time and I interpret the barking as the animal's needs not being met. They are cute when they're small, but can turn into demanding tyrants as adults.
What do you think about pets for seniors?
- Thread starter fuzzybuddy
- Start date
That is a hard and scary thought. And it isn't just old people that can become incapacitated or die. When I adopted my daughter part of the process was to specify who would take care of her if I died, and I had no clue who would. Even if you have someone there is no guarantee they will still be in a position to want to take on the responsibility.
But, when I lived in the countryside too many cats would show up and I couldn't keep them all, so I found a no-kill shelter that would take them. To place a cat with them I either had to make a cash donation or do volunteer work.
I suppose it would be a smart thing for me to do to find a place like that here in my new state and perhaps make a small monthly donation so that a no-kill rescue might be willing to take an orphaned pet. Ugh, another item to add to my to-do list (I also need to figure out if my will from another state is good and/or how to set up my car and condo to efficiently go to my daughter).
I hope to always have a pet. Right now I have a cat. We are restricted in this building to one pet unless we get a waiver (apparently not hard to get), and once I feel sure that I won't want to go traveling (guessing in 5 years) I plan to get a little dog.
Pets dying is not something I worry about until they are old or develop a fatal type condition, and then I apparently get my mourning done ahead of time during their last months, because once they die I get excited by the prospect of meeting a new pet.
And the wonderful thing about pets that makes them less of a worry to leave behind when I die, is that they adapt so well to a new owner.
I haven't yet had to make changes to caring for my cat, though I am getting really tired of bending down to pick up the fluff balls to throw for the cat, I should move one of the wand wormy toys to the bedroom because as soon as I get up he wants to play. Guess I should plan ahead to get a self-cleaning litterbox.
Gee I hope it doesn't become too hard to take care of a pet. I sometimes see a man coming out of the next building with his little dog in a sort of baby carriage. I'm guessing the man is too old to be pulled around by the leash or carry the dog (but perhaps it is the dog that needs the carriage).
packleader
Member
- Location
- Southern California
My younger wife is still working full-time, the kids are communicating with me daily, while the three Boxer dogs are my 24/7 companions. They are unfailingly loyal. I bet on our walks, they would give their lives in protecting me from a mountain lion, aka cougar or puma. Without their protection and Pepper Spray, I wouldn't dare to walk on public streets anymore at age 87. Actually, people are getting out of our way when we come parading abreast.
One dog is all right, two dogs are much more interesting, but three dogs are full-time entertainment. They keep me going. Until a few years ago, I even had four Boxers and that was heaven. Bottom left picture: the two Boxer girls shown on the blanket lived to 14 and 15 years. The Vet had finally told me not to take them longer on my two one-hour daily walks.
The children grew up with dogs, and now they have their own dogs. What would be life without dogs? Absolutely boring. They bring joy and happiness to our lives. I am too old for puppies. My current dogs come from the Los Angeles Boxer Rescue and public animal shelters as strays.
I obtained the oldest Boxer (now 7 1/2 years) at age 1 1/2 and 90 pounds after two previous owners had surrendered him because they hadn't been able to handle him. He was a challenge, but patience, consistency, and firm leadership paid off. He is now one of the best dog I ever had. Luckily, he doesn't know that he is stronger than I am. I earned the role of being the pack leader due to my human psychology.
On our property we also have a pet cemetery not only for a dozen-plus dogs, but also for a pet snake, chickens, birds, and you name it.
]
One dog is all right, two dogs are much more interesting, but three dogs are full-time entertainment. They keep me going. Until a few years ago, I even had four Boxers and that was heaven. Bottom left picture: the two Boxer girls shown on the blanket lived to 14 and 15 years. The Vet had finally told me not to take them longer on my two one-hour daily walks.
The children grew up with dogs, and now they have their own dogs. What would be life without dogs? Absolutely boring. They bring joy and happiness to our lives. I am too old for puppies. My current dogs come from the Los Angeles Boxer Rescue and public animal shelters as strays.
I obtained the oldest Boxer (now 7 1/2 years) at age 1 1/2 and 90 pounds after two previous owners had surrendered him because they hadn't been able to handle him. He was a challenge, but patience, consistency, and firm leadership paid off. He is now one of the best dog I ever had. Luckily, he doesn't know that he is stronger than I am. I earned the role of being the pack leader due to my human psychology.
On our property we also have a pet cemetery not only for a dozen-plus dogs, but also for a pet snake, chickens, birds, and you name it.
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WheatenLover
Well-known Member
- Location
- Georgia
One thing seniors can do is foster a pet. There are plenty of shelters who run programs like this. That way if something happens to the senior, a shelter already owns the pet, so it will have a place to go. Make sure you post the complete info of where the pet should go on your fridge. There are also dog and other pet rescues looking for fosters.
If you decide to adopt a pet, make sure you make arrangements to have the pet cared for in case you cannot. My former sister in law died several decades ago and my ex-husband took her 3-4 dogs and 5 cats to the humane society to be euthanized. I guarantee my former SIL would have been absolutely horrified to know this. I was, when I found out (well after the fact).
If you decide to adopt a pet, make sure you make arrangements to have the pet cared for in case you cannot. My former sister in law died several decades ago and my ex-husband took her 3-4 dogs and 5 cats to the humane society to be euthanized. I guarantee my former SIL would have been absolutely horrified to know this. I was, when I found out (well after the fact).
feywon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rural North Central NM
Totally agree with this. I'm lucky, my millennial daughter lives with me. So mine won't even have to be uprooted when i pass. Currently we have 1 dog and four cats. 2 of the cats are technically mine, but we both love all the critters.
Brookswood
Senior Member
I think pets for seniors are a good idea as long as the pet does not become a reason to avoid the company of other humans. And the human in charge is responsible for properly caring for the pet. It’s the same thinking I have for middle aged folk, college students, etc to have a pet.
I have no pets or even a plant in my home. I want to be able to leave anytime, stay away as long as I like, and not have to worry. Nothing should suffer or perish if I’m not home. Animals are a big responsibility and need to be card for properly. Also, I don’t like dealing with pet poop inside or outside my house.
I have no pets or even a plant in my home. I want to be able to leave anytime, stay away as long as I like, and not have to worry. Nothing should suffer or perish if I’m not home. Animals are a big responsibility and need to be card for properly. Also, I don’t like dealing with pet poop inside or outside my house.
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What will happen to the cat you DON'T take? Where will it wind up? The same or worse. Get the cat and do your best to stay alive.
It sounds like you are on the right track for you. Leave the poor pet to find a loving owner and do your own thing.
Mr. Ed
Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
- Location
- Central NY
I think every pet should their own senior
We had a wonderful little Chihuahua that full grown weighed 4 pounds. He passed in 1997. A few years ago my wife said she would like to get another one. I thought about it and said "we are now in our late 80s, who will walk him when we are in our 90s?" My wife passed away at 87.
oldaunt
professional hermit
You do Like I did and find a willing "godparent" willing to take the pet when you go. I actually have 2, just in case.
Remy
Well-known Member
- Location
- California, USA
I don't know if I'll ever have a dog. I don't want to live without cats. These two (12 years old) are a lot more trouble than my last two who were adopted over 5 years apart and never friends.
These two seem to be in the litter box more. Talia (calico) has inflammatory bowel disease, requires medication. Sometimes she went 3 soft poops in 2 hours but with the new hairball medication food, she's much better. They meow at night sometimes.
If I'm getting much older and can still take care of a cat, I'll get an older one. Probably have it written to have the cat put to sleep when I die. I wouldn't know what else to do.
These two seem to be in the litter box more. Talia (calico) has inflammatory bowel disease, requires medication. Sometimes she went 3 soft poops in 2 hours but with the new hairball medication food, she's much better. They meow at night sometimes.
If I'm getting much older and can still take care of a cat, I'll get an older one. Probably have it written to have the cat put to sleep when I die. I wouldn't know what else to do.
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Greatly in favor. But provision must be made for eventualities. Wouldn’t be right to leave it to anyone else to guess who would’ve been okay with you to have them. A nice allowance can only help.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
I got my first dog 19 years ago and have been hooked ever since. For many years we always had 4 because of rescuing them. Now I have 2 Maltese so they are company for each other.
I will never be without a dog. Maltese are perfect for condo living because they are small so can be pad trained since I don’t have a yard. They also are low energy so can satisfy their exercise needs by playing fetch in the house. I do walk them daily because I need the exercise but need a stroller because they can’t walk as far as me.
If I die my best friend wants them. When these two pass I will only adopt seniors because of my age.
I will never be without a dog. Maltese are perfect for condo living because they are small so can be pad trained since I don’t have a yard. They also are low energy so can satisfy their exercise needs by playing fetch in the house. I do walk them daily because I need the exercise but need a stroller because they can’t walk as far as me.
If I die my best friend wants them. When these two pass I will only adopt seniors because of my age.
What do you think about pets for seniors?I
Why not?
Nobody, cat, dog, or loud talking biped, has tomorrow
We have no pets per se
I'm trouble enough
\
When we lived in the mountains, all things wild were my pets
If I were alone, I'd have a wolf or coyote
and live in the mountains
Not a cat person
But, if I had one, it'd be a mouser
Had a feral Tom come by the cabin from time to time
He'd cruise thru the woods....on the hunt
Saw him for a few seasons
Love dogs
But wouldn't have one up there
They tend to get called out by female coyotes in season
Hardly ever ends well
Right now, in town, my tiny avian friends are my pets
They're entertaining enough
(and no litter box)
horseless carriage
Well-known Member
When my wife's younger sister passed away it left her two cats facing the inevitable syringe. We now have two orphan cats.
Pepper said:
"Death is part of life. They don't live long. If we want their love we have to suffer their deaths. Like with other humans. Never know when living things will do something inconvenient like drop dead."
Quite so, which is why, much as we would love another cat or dog, we know that a puppy or kitten could easily outlive us. A fact underlined by my sister-in-law's passing.
katlupe
SF VIP
- Location
- Norwich, NY
"Rabbit" is my last pet. I agree that the care is good for me to have to do daily. And I get a lot of enjoyment out of him but I won't be getting another. For one thing another one would not replace him. It would not be him. I don't have anyone in my life to take him if anything happens to me first. So don't want that worry again.
jimintoronto
Well-known Member
One of the possible alternatives, if you live in a city, is being a "dog walk volunteer " at the animal shelter. No investment, the need is constant and the shelter staff will appreciate what you do for the dogs. All the fun without the financial investment. JimB.
(((kat)))
Michael Z
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Wisconsin
A pet needs to be well cared for and happy. If you can not provide that, then don’t have one.
Brookswood
Senior Member
I would add don’t go put it through aggressive efforts to extend its life when the end is near just to prevent the human from feeling badly. Letting it pass, or putting the animal out of its misery is far better than extending the misery.
True. Sad but true.