At what age do you not replace the pet in case you die?

This is such a difficult decision to make if you are a pet lover.
Our cat of 19 years died 18 months ago. We still miss him. However as we are recently retired and have a new grandson, we travel a lot. The ability to just drop everything and head of if the weather (or call of help for grandson) is forecast good persuades us not to get another cat at this time. We propose to travel as much as we can whilst we are still able.
As we get older and more sedentary, I'm sure we will get another cat, probably older rescue cat -- couldn't cope with the home wrecking kitten stage again.
My brother, who is much older than me) has dogs, (he takes elderly rescue dogs). He has some arrangement with the RSPCA where his dogs will be re-homed should anything happen to him, I think he paid a contribution that ensured they will be cared for. Most of his dogs are very elderly, so he will outlast many of them, he has already had 5.

That's what has happened to my cousin..I've actually lost track of how many dogs she's had recently.

I think we all have to do what suits us best and I have to say a recent hip replacement makes me think twice about having quite such a large dog again. At least you have lovely dogs nearby Annobel and other family pets so really you get the best of both worlds.

Ideally I would do what your brother has done pompa, I am already an RSPCA Volunteer so I will check it out once I have persuaded OH that it would be a good idea

Never say never! When my dog died a few years ago now I thought 'that's it. No more pets'. Our family has done the gamut of all sorts of animals. But somehow I've taken on my son's partner's moggies because......a long story....and I'm so glad I did. They're 6 year old brothers, neutered, chipped and vaccinated, and have very different personalities. Yes they cost a bomb when we go away and of course decent cat food ain't cheap but I love them to bits and so do all the GC - even DH makes a fuss of them now. They will be my last pet though - I think

I was going to mention the cinnamon trust, marvellous charity. Personally I hope I will never ever be without a companion animal, be it guineapig, cat, rabbit, dog, cat, horse or something ....... the Rainbow Bridge will be waiting with all my animals who have gone to animal heaven (I hope I go there too!!!). There will always be a suitable pet of an age that will need a lap to sit on (not the horse of course).

Cats are good companions, and do not require taking for a walk, hence they demand less of your energy than do dogs. When my two old cats leave us, we shall definitely be acquiring new ones.

However, my daughters have volunteered to take over care of any cats we have at the end of our lives.

In the meantime, the cats do not restrict our activities. We have a woman that comes in to care for them when we are away - she charges no more for four cats (we had four originally) than she does for one (unlike catteries), and she keeps an eye on the house at the same time.

I should think most areas have pet sitters - much nicer for the pets to stay in their own home and be looked after than for them to go to a cattery/kennels.

I think this puppy I have will be the last dog and I did "downsize". If you like cats they are a much better option for retired and/or elderly people. My two cats are quite happy to stay at home when we are away and be fed by the neighbour.

Our dog will be our last. She is 2 and a half, a Golden Retriever, and a lovely friendly companion to the two of us. We are 66 and 68, so we'll be heading towards 80 when she is 14. If she dies young, we'll still not have another dog, though we could get a cat. We have two sons - I think they would be more inclined to take on a cat than a dog if we die or get sick and have to move somewhere unsuitable for pets.

Gee, I've just realised these things are horrible to think about.

I am nearly 62 and hope to have my 2 German Shepherds for years yet. however when they both die I will be in my early sevnties but I can't be without a dog or two, we dont have holidays because we couldN'T leave them in kennels, this doen't bother us , but the thought of them outliving us does . I have a canine care card which means that if I die dOGS TRUST will look after them till it's their time to go. Not a perfect solution, but the only one I have.

I think "never say never" is so true - and also that you will know what is best for you. Yes, you are free to visit e.g. GC without a dog (unless they are doggy people) but it is also true that a dog will get you out even on miserable days and if you are alone, there are always other dog walkers to talk to! I often think a dog is an excellent "chat up" accessory - not that I have ever availed myself of it!
After 16 years of a wonderful black lab who grew up with our children, I was devastated when she went and the next morning read about retired racing greyhounds - it was as if someone somewhere was telling me something. We have had 3 greyhounds - 1 dog and 2 bitches - they are lovely affectionate and gentle dogs, need VERY LITTLE exercise - but you do get lots of street cred from people who think you run a half marathon with them every day.They rarely bark, are not destructive and can actually cope with being alone as long as they have a comfy bed (although they prefer sofas, but you can be firm, if you want) As they are retired as young as 4 you get a reasonably young adult dog for perhaps 6-8 years, usually housetrained with few underlying health problems e.g.from inbreeding. They don't need a massive amount of food either, ours has a standard tin of woof plus mixer but of course given their size you do have to keep food out of their reach! And they are so appreciative and loving! End of comercial! Will I get another when the present girl goes? I will know when that sad day comes, but I do wish my parents had got another easy little dog in their latter years it would have kept them mobile.

Our ginger Tomcat is now 15 and we won't be getting another. Even now with neighbours who love him dearly, we can't go away for longer than a week.
What is more upsetting is that DDs dog is now getting old and I will miss him so much. They say they don't want another, but she wants me to have dog later.
If you have always had pet then there is always the danger of seeing those pictures of poor abandoned pets. I would probably take another cat in, if it turned up at the French windows when it was snowing, like the cat before did and stayed 12 years.
Its hard to be realistic.

I had to give away my lovely cat when my daughter was dangerously ill and I had to go back to England for several months to take care of her and the children. Now, I do so much travelling it would not be possible to have any pets. I get my fix by pet sitting for my Swiss friend - I really enjoy being with her dog and cat, but they are also both quite elderly and I don't think she will be getting any replacements.
My NZ family have a menagerie - one indoor cat,two outdoor cats, two piglets, two dogs, numerous hens and a rooster, so I enjoy their company too.
I worked as a pet sitter in England before I retired to France. The pay was not much, but I got free board and lodging and it was a good opportunity to see different parts of the country. My most interesting assignment was to take care of two huge Maine Coon cats. I think the fact that I had been vetted to become a tax inspector reassured people of my honesty.

I've had pet cats all my life in fact I can't remember being without one till now.. my last two cats having lived long lives , both were over 20, have sadly gone now and I vowed that I will have some pet free years to enjoy spur of the moments trips out and longer than 2/3 day holidays with OH, having two elderly frail cats that we didn't feel happy either putting in a cattery or inflicting on relatives we haven't been able to have a proper holiday together for some years so now its nice not to have to worry about animals and just come and go as we please.. I will no doubt in the future gain another cat but not for a long time.

African Grey Parrots are a definite no-no for anyone over 30!

Or a giant tortoise! Although I could keep up with one of those if I took it for a walk. So long as it didn't rush!

If it was giant enough, it could take you for a ride jeni.

It would have to be of brontosaurus like dimensions!

How old was the one that died recently? I seem to remember someone saying it had belonged to Captain Cook?
Can anyone else remember it? There used to be one at Dudley zoo, I remember as a child, it seemed enormous.

I think its ok to have a pet or pets whatever your age as long as everything to do with the pet has been thought about. Eight yrs ago I had a heart attack at the age of 60 and had to take early retirement. Living on my own was quite lonely so decided to get 2 Jack Russells for companionship and exercise for me. I took into account the costs of feeding, vet bills and what would happen to them in the event that i should die. I then went ahead and got the 2 most wonderful dogs that have made my life so happy. Of course if I were to die they would miss me and their life with me but at least I know that providing them with a future home takes a lot of the worry away and leaves more enjoyment for the time we have now.

i have rabbits. four of them, all five years old. they might live to fifteen. i won't be having any more. i'm 54 but not in good health and i think they'll outlive me! if not, and i end up on my own, i'm having a big, fluffy, syrian hamster.

I had congestive heart failure in 1999 and the cardiologist prescribed lots of walking. To make it interesting I decided to buy a dog, so I bought a border collie from working lines. She's a brilliant companion and probably smarter than me! My then wife decided to get another BC but she wanted a pedigreed one. He's got a gorgeous nature but is totally food driven and is generally thick as a brick. When she left me and moved in with Voldemort she decreed that her dog would be staying with me. It's not that I totally dislike the poor dog, but if he fell off the twig tomorrow I'd be relieved more than anything. I'm 55 in a few months and the dogs will be 12 and 10 respectively, so within 4 years they'll be close to their use by dates. As much as I really would like to get another dog in a few years (so there's a bit of overlap and the pup can learn some manners from the older ones) I'm really not sure what to get and whether the dog will end up outliving me. A working border collie the size of a beagle or a cavalier spaniel would be perfect, but they don't make those, so I'm thinking of a long haired chihuahua but with star markings so it at least looks like a border collie!

poppa nice to see you hoping you well,Barney the rescued JR has ceratinly fallen on his feet when he came to live here he looks like a burst mattress with his longer than average coat and never ever looks tidy,we where told at the pound that he was about 2/3yrs but now after investigation with people who knew his previous owners we think he could be 8/9yrs,but he is such a character and very clever.Have you never thought of a JR poppa they are so faithful small enough to not cause a problem.We have always had dogs and the odd cat here and there and our home would not be the same without one.We also have dogs trust ongoing care plan if Barney out lives either of us and family can't take him.

poppa, the nearest thing you can get to a smaller version of a border collie is a Shetland collie (sheltie) - very intelligent and lively and, I think, very handsome dogs.
glamma, I love your description of Barney!

annobel Barney had a shower one day last week and I had run out of his normal doggy conditioner so used some Umberto Giannani straightener and gloss instead to try and help with the tangles he gets him self into,well the finished results where so funny,he looked like he had put his paws in a socket and had an electric shock but at least he smelt nice.!!!

I wish you'd taken a picture of that, glamma! Did it make him attractive to the lady JRs?