Don't think about it - it will be okay. Pets are wonderful for any age and especially for older people. I just don't have anyone that will take care of my cats. BUT, let me tell you this. My mom and I used to collect things that the kill shelter could use when we used to go garage shopping every weekend. Pet beds, collars, toys, blankets, towels, etc. We would wash it and save our newspapers too - and give it to the shelter. We did this about twice a year. We were dropping off stuff at the kill shelter when a woman came in to surrender her brother's cat as her brother passed. She said the cat was 15 and she couldn't keep it. The kill shelter said that most likely the cat will be immediately put down because older pets don't get adopted. I have never seen my mother react like this - but she said, "I want the cat, what is it's name?" The cat, "Cinnamon" went straight with us to the car without being registered with the kill shelter. Cinnamon was AWESOME, a lady, who was obviously, well-loved. She had perfect manners, the best disposition, and Cinnamon "knew" it was MOM who saved her because those two bonded. Mom went back home with Cinnamon (this was before she moved in with me) and Cinnamon lived another eight years - up until she had to be put down because of severe arthritis that left really had turned too bad for her.Blossom wrote: ↑4 years agoI worry about my pets too if something happens to me first. My 79-year-old neighbor had a small dog & worried so much about it, she said she told her family if she died before her dog, she wanted the dog to be euthanized & buried with her because she thought the dog would grieve herself to death. Her daughter told me 'That's not going to happen' (euthanasia). My neighbor had to have her dog put down last month & I know she will not get another.RS wrote: ↑4 years agoWell, I’m 54 (yikes, when in the frick did THAT happen???!!!)OtherSideOfTheTracks wrote: ↑4 years ago
I'm 57 now and I hope my kitties will be with me for a little while although I don't think more than three years. Cats live to be old and I don't want to fret about who will care for them if I die. Also, there are soooo many animals/kitties/dogs that need help to find their forever homes. <<<< that's a big factor in the process of rescuing perfectly great cats and dogs from the kill shelter. The intermediate person is key to success for the pet to thrive and ready for a forever home.
I have parrots that unless they get sick or injured will outlive me. Luckily daughter will take them. She loves them and has more animals than most people and likely always will
Volunteering or fostering is a great thing to do. Problem is getting too attached.
I have 2 little dogs. Of course, my cats adopted me, they are frightened of anyone who comes over.... Oh me, I don't like to even think about 'what if...'
This outcome, I believe, was the previous owner and God's intervention for Cinnamon. Both Cinnamon and mom were at the right place at the right time. Cinnamon was well-taken care off after her master's death and I believe these interventions happen often. So please don't worry so much as I believe most people are good and will help. I should take my own advice. I also didn't clarify, that my situation is unknown as far as where I will be living. I will be selling my house to downsize, and I don't know what my future holds. I will have a cat in my life. or a dog though.